Potential of neglected and underutilized seed crops: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Abstract Neglected and underutilized seed crops (NUSC) can play an important role in food and nutritional security. Understanding the progress and gaps in research concerning NUSC can improve the efficiency of research and policies involving the transformation of agriculture with the potential of these crops. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess the global literature on NUSCs. The records available in the Scopus database ( www.scopus.com ) during the 1990–2022 period were evaluated and the title, abstract, and keywords were analyzed using predetermined terms (not mentioned here). Several citation-related metrics and keyword analyses were performed using NUSC-related publications. The Scopus search resulted in a total of 1456 publications reported from 114 countries, of which more than 70% were published during the last decade (2013–2022). The major applications of NUSCs identified in this study were animal feed/fodder, biofuel, energy, fiber, food and nutrition, industrial uses, medicinal properties, oil, ornamental, pest and disease control, and others. The highest applications were related to food and nutrition. An open-access database on NUSCs was published which provides important information for future research. This article shows the potential of neglected and underutilized seed crops which may be exploited to achieve food and nutritional security.

Keywords

• Crops for the future
• Food security
• Scopus
• Seed crops
• Sustainable development goals (SDGs)