Mapping the global research trends and emerging frontiers on tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV): a bibliometric analysis (2016–2025)

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an important vegetable in diet of human population and ensuring global food security. However, the production of this crop is limited by virus diseases. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging Tobamovirus threatening global tomato and other solanaceous crop production. ToBRFV has exhibited rapid transboundary dissemination, effectively circumventing established resistance genes such as Tm-22, and resulting in significant yield and economic losses. Although considerable studies have been conducted on biology, epidemiological patterns, and management strategies of the virus, a systematic evaluation of the research landscape remains absent. The present study addresses this gap by conducting bibliometric analysis of ToBRFV-related publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. A total of 255 documents were identified across 65 peer-reviewed journals and 32 subject categories, with Plant Sciences and Virology representing the most dominant subject categories. Analysis of citation bursts and keyword evolution revealed a marked shift in research priorities—from initial efforts focused on molecular characterization and detection to more recent advances in epidemiology, disinfection strategies, and resistance breeding. Notably, transcriptomic profiling and CRISPR-based methodologies are gaining prominence as emerging frontier themes. Also, molecular breeding studies are still required since reported discovered genes fail to fully inhibit the replication of the virus in plant tissues. The major motive of this paper is to help gain insights, to inform strategic collaborations, guide funding priorities, and shape future research directions – particularly in breeding durable resistance and refining containment strategies.