Bibliometric Mapping of Soil Chemicalization and Fertilizer Research: Environmental and Computational Insights

Soil chemicalization, involving the use of synthetic chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, has been crucial in modern agriculture but has raised concerns about soil degradation, environmental pollution, and long-term sustainability. Over the past few decades, research has evolved from studying the effects of heavy metals and pesticides to exploring emerging contaminants such as microplastics, biochar, and oxidative stress in soils. Despite this growing body of research, gaps remain in understanding long-term trends, shifts in research priorities, and dynamics of scientific contributions. Notably, bibliometric analyses specifically focused on soil fertilizer research and associated agricultural practices remain scarce and poorly represented in the scientific literature. This bibliometric study examines the development of soil chemicalization research from 1975 to 2025, using data from the Web of Science to analyze scientific output, international cooperation, and thematic patterns. Citation impact peaked in 2018, although recent declines reflect citation lag. China led in total output (1977 documents) but lagged in population-adjusted productivity compared to the U.S. and Australia. Thematic shifts moved from studies on heavy metals and pesticides to research on microplastics, biochar, and oxidative stress, with sustainable soil management becoming a critical focus. Keyword clusters emphasized agricultural sustainability, pollutant toxicity, and bioremediation. Leading institutions included Nanjing Agricultural University, while journals like Science of the Total Environment and Chemosphere led in publications. Challenges remain in evaluating the long-term ecological effects, optimizing sustainable alternatives, and addressing regional disparities. Future research should focus on integrated soil health assessments, emerging contaminants, and policy-driven approaches to minimize environmental risks while sustaining agricultural productivity.