The Use of Circular Economy in Horticulture Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study explores the integration of circular economy (CE) concepts within horticultural research, assessing the reliability and depth of their application in scientific discourse. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 221 articles published between 2016 and 2024, utilising the PRISMA framework, VOSviewer version 1.6.20, and MAXQDA version 24.6.0 software to analyse keywords, abstracts, and thematic patterns. The findings reveal a growing use of CE-related terminology in horticulture research, particularly post-2019, with increasing emphasis on resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and closed-loop systems. However, a discrepancy was identified between the usage of CE principles in article keywords and their representation in abstracts, indicating an incomplete alignment with CE fundamentals. Despite this progress, the study highlights the need for a more consistent and precise application of CE principles to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. This alignment is critical for advancing the sustainability of horticultural practices and ensuring their contribution to broader environmental and economic goals. By fostering a deeper integration of CE concepts, horticulture research can play a pivotal role in addressing global sustainability challenges.