Advances and limitations in Caladium breeding: A bibliometric perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v32.e3130Keywords:
Araceae, Genetic diversity, Scientific mapping, Somaclonal variationAbstract
Caladium is a predominantly ornamental and medicinal genus with high commercial value. Several studies on Caladium breeding have addressed inheritance, micropropagation, and morphological, cytological, molecular, and genomic characterization. However, few studies have examined the temporal and spatial evolution of research themes, authors, locations, and trends. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze advances, limitations, and emerging trends in Caladium breeding through bibliometric analysis. A systematic search was performed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering publications from 1992 to 2025. A total of 141 documents were identified, of which 98 remained after duplicate records were removed. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R, within the RStudio environment, through the Biblioshiny graphical interface. The results revealed fluctuations in publication patterns, with the United States and China standing out in scientific output. An evolution from classical breeding approaches toward a stronger focus on inheritance, somaclonal variation, and molecular genetics has been observed over the past two decades. The absence of a precise explanation for the biological mechanisms underlying somaclonal variation, combined with the scarcity of studies on epigenetics and post- production morphophysiological responses, represents a significant gap in Caladium breeding. Future research should promote integrated studies among the subareas of cytogenetics, molecular biology, and classical breeding to accelerate the release of new cultivars for the ornamental market.
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Copyright (c) 2025 António Fanuel Boa, Mailson Monteiro do Rêgo, Louves Lourino Manhique, Vinicios de Almeida Lima, Marcos Gomes da Silva, Elizanilda Ramalho do Rêgo
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