Trends and intellectual property landscape in soybean breeding: a patent and paper Bibliometric analysis

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is one of the most important crops globally. Researchers have focused on enhancing soybean through genetic modification, leading to an extensive accumulation of publications and patents. Despite this, a comprehensive exploration of this information in breeding research has been lacking. Using data from the Web of Science (WoS) and Orbit Intelligence databases (2013–2023), this study employs the Bibliometrix package in R and Gephi for visual analysis. We examined keywords, co-occurrences, collaborations, and emerging trends to shed light on future research and intellectual property (IP) directions. The findings reveal a consistent rise in annual publications, in contrast to a decline in patent filings. China and the United States emerge as the primary contributors. Analysis of patent records identifies M S Technologies and Monsanto Technology LLC as key players. This study provides a vital reference for researchers and industry stakeholders to address global food security challenges.