From soil health to agricultural productivity: The critical role of soil constraint management

• The first global overview of soil constraint topics in agricultural landscapes; • Three scientometric methods were used for coupling analysis in soil constraints. • Physico-chemical soil constraint types are discussed comprehensively. • The past and future of soil constraint research topics are analyzed. • Feasibility of soil constraint management implementation is examined. Soil constraints significantly impact agricultural productivity and food security by affecting soil health and crop yields. This study provides a comprehensive global bibliometric analysis of global research on soil physical, chemical and biological constraints, utilizing R, VOSviewer, and Citespace. Global publications totaled 1,418 showing a significant increase in output since the early 2000 s, with Australia and the United States leading in research contributions. The top journals accounted for 13.13% of the total publications, with major contributions from institutions in Australia, the United States and China. Key research themes identified include the impact of climate change, nutrient management, and crop-specific responses to soil constraints. Moreover, the analysis showed a shift towards advanced scientific techniques and technologies in recent years, such as molecular biology, proteomics, and remote sensing, which reflects the evolving focus of soil constraint research. The studies in the 2000 s primarily focused on traditional soil management practices and the identification of basic nutrient deficiencies. However, the recent shift towards advanced methodologies highlights an evolving focus on precise, high-resolution techniques for understanding and mitigating soil constraints. Despite these advancements, potential gaps remain in the integration of these technologies into practical soil management strategies, and in addressing regional differences in soil constraints. Our study emphasizes the importance of continued international collaboration and the integration of innovative methodologies to address the complex challenges of soil management. The future research should further support the realization of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adopting scientific soil management measures, applying appropriate fertilizers, improving soil structure, reducing soil pollution and erosion, and enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security.