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

(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.