Unveiling the global nexus of organic farming in horticulture: A bibliometric insight into research trends, thematic evolution and global collaboration

Organic farming in horticulture has emerged as a vital component of sustainable agricultural transformation, integrating ecological principles with production efficiency and food quality. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends, thematic evolution and collaborative networks in organic horticulture from 2001 to 2024 based on data extracted from the Scopus database. Employing R–Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, a total of 3190 publications were analysed to identify prolific authors, institutions, countries and evolving research themes. Results revealed a consistent annual growth rate of approximately 11.67 %, with major contributions from the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil and Spain. Thematic analysis identified “organic production,” “fruit quality,” and “compost” as motor themes, while “sustainability,” “agroecology,” and “soil fertility” represented foundational domains. Keyword evolution indicated a shift from input optimisation and yield studies toward holistic sustainability, biodiversity and climate-resilient systems. Collaboration networks showed strong regional clustering in Europe and North America, though global participation remains uneven. Highly cited works focused on soil ecology, nutrient cycling and quality differentiation, highlighting enduring scientific priorities. The findings underscore organic horticultures’ interdisciplinary nature and its growing role in achieving ecological balance, food safety and climate adaptation. Strengthened international collaboration, particularly across the Global South and the integration of emerging technologies are crucial for equitable and resilient organic production systems worldwide.