Two Centuries of Research on Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): A Scientometric Analysis of Agricultural Research and Crop Management Trends

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a significant perennial crop in arid and semi-arid regions. Understanding the evolution of research on this crop is vital for identifying major research trends, current challenges, and emerging areas for future agricultural innovation and sustainable crop management strategies. This study conducts a comprehensive scientometric analysis of 9062 scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database between 1837 and 2025, spanning nearly two centuries of research on date palm. Using bibliometric tools such as Bibliometrix and ScientoPy, the study examines patterns of scientific production, collaboration networks, institutional participation, thematic evolution, and emerging research trends. The results indicate a marked increase in scientific publications, especially after 2007, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran among the most productive countries. The thematic structure of the literature shows a shift from early studies on diseases and oasis cultivation to recent research focusing on biomass valorization, activated carbon production, antioxidant properties, pest management with special emphasis on the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), mechanical properties of date palm fibers, and plant biotechnology on methods like micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis. Geographically, research activity is concentrated in the Middle East and North Africa, the primary palm-producing region, with Saudi Arabia leading in institutions, researchers, funding, and international collaborations in date palm research. Emerging trends indicate a rising interest in digital tools, particularly artificial intelligence and advanced analytical tools, which are increasingly being explored to improve crop management. Overall, these findings provide a structured overview of the historical development of date palm research and contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution and organization of scientific knowledge in this field. Additionally, the identification of key research pathways and emerging trends offers valuable insights for guiding future agronomic innovation, supporting evidence-based crop management strategies, and promoting the sustainable development of date palm production systems.