Bibliometric Analysis of the Application of Soil Amendments in Improving Soil Infiltration and Storage Capacity over the Last 20 Years

The infiltration and water-holding properties of soil are essential for the efficient utilization of farmland water and the control of soil erosion. Soil amendments can enhance soil infiltration and storage capacity by increasing the cohesion between soil surface particles and maintaining a good soil structure. To understand the research status and development trend of soil amendments in improving soil infiltration and storage capacity, this study analyzed the annual publication volume, the major contributing institutions, the international cooperation relationships, and the research hotspots in this research field based on the Web of Science Core Collection database, using Citespace and VOSviewer software. The results showed that the number of publications on the application of soil amendments in improving soil infiltration and storage capacity had increased over the past two decades, with China, the United States, and Spain dominating in terms of publication volume and international influence. The current research hotspots mainly include soil aggregates, soil fertility, soil microorganisms, soil pore characteristics, organic amendments, and biochar. Future research should focus on the impact mechanisms of soil amendments, led by biochar, on reclaimed soil productivity when used to enhance soil infiltration and storage capacity. Additionally, further exploration should be conducted on the interaction between soil aggregates and surface runoff.