Global Trends and Networks in Soil Fertility Enhancement Techniques: a Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

With the escalating population, modernization and intensification of agriculture, secondary salinization of soil has emerged as a significant challenge. The development of technologies aimed at improving salinized land and enhancing soil fertility holds paramount importance in the agricultural development process. However, a notable gap exists in periodic summary and analysis research in this field. To address this gap, this review employs a visual bibliometric research method. Drawing from the literature on salinized land improvement and soil fertility enhancement, indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1990 to 2022, we aim to gain insights into the development trends of research field. Utilizing the CiteSpace analysis software, we delve into the patterns and trends in salinized land improvement and soil fertility enhancement. The results reveal a steady rise in publication and citation volumes, with a literature publication growth rate of 122%. The upward trend reflects the increasing urgency and significance of this research area. Global population growth, coupled with water resource shortages, creates a pressing need for further advancements in agricultural soil restoration and improvement techniques. Soil degradation, which contributes to the depletion of soil organic carbon stocks, poses a significant threat to the sustainability of agricultural systems. As a result, achieving carbon sequestration, emission reduction, and soil fertility enhancement has become a shared objective among researchers. International cooperation and exchange play a pivotal role in driving scientific research in this field. Over the past few decades, the research focus has shifted from agricultural management and planting systems, conservation tillage, soil amendment application, and soil microbial diversity to ecological effects and climate change. Current research hotspots primarily concentrate on the impact of amendments on soil fertility, soil organic carbon stocks, soil physical and chemical properties, and biophysical processes in diverse agricultural and forestry systems. By understanding these trends and hotspots, we can gain valuable insights into the current state of research and identify potential areas for future exploration. This research can contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable soil fertility enhancement techniques, ultimately promoting agricultural sustainability and environmental preservation.