Bibliometric analysis of biochar application for environmental management in agricultural sector

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Biochar has gained prominence as a sustainable solution in agriculture and environmental management, with benefits of enhancing soil fertility, improving crop yield, and mitigating the climate change. This study sought to conduct a bibliometric analysis of biochar research within the context of agricultural applications, with the objective of evaluating its progression, thematic development, and patterns of global collaboration.METHODS: A search was conducted in the Scopus database on September 1, 2024 using a pre-determined keyword combination. The retrieved data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in RStudio to evaluate publication trends, research theme evolution, and international collaboration networks. The authors' keywords were employed in a co-occurrence analysis to discern principal research themes and their interrelations. The analysis on research theme evolution utilized a single time split, dividing the datasets into 2006−2021 and 2022−2025. The collaboration network was established with a minimum edge threshold of 4, and it is illustrated in a mapped format. .FINDINGS: The search using a predetermined keyword combination identified 4,402 publications related to biochar, with 2,857 focused specifically on its application in agriculture. A pronounced increase in research output was observed after 2016. China is spearheading the investigation in this domain, having produced 1,319 publications from individual countries and 564 from various international collaborations. In the second leading position, the United States has produced 382 publications, where 101 of which were published along with authors from other countries. The thematic analysis revealed a transition from the original focal points, which included carbon sequestration, to newly emerging subjects such as microbial biomass and the remediation of heavy metals.CONCLUSION: There is an increasing significance of biochar research worldwide, where the thematic evolution and patterns of international collaborations have been successfully synthesized in this study. The thematic shifts suggest the growing interest in microbial biomass and heavy metal remediation-related themes, indicating the multiple applications of biochar in both environmental management and agricultural productivity. Given the robust framework of international research collaboration, it is essential to undertake a unified global initiative aimed at standardizing biochar application techniques, enhancing production processes, and evaluating the long-term effects of biochar usage. The production and utility of biochar in agricultural sector could be optimized through international collaboration and policy development aiming to improve soil health, and subsequently food security. The study has effectively mapped the landscape of biochar studies within the realm of environmental management, with a particular focus on its roles in enhancing microbial biomass and remediating heavy metal contamination.

Keywords

• agriculture
• biochar
• bibliometric analysis
• environmental management
• soil fertility
• sustainability