A Bibliometric‐Based Review of Biochar for Salt‐Affected Soil Restoration: Mapping Research Trends and Future Directions

ABSTRACT In recent years, biochar has been studied for its range of applications. Recognized by the IPCC as a key Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategy, it also stands out as an important tool for reclaiming degraded lands, including vast global areas affected by salinity, such as those in China, India, and Australia. This study explores the application of biochar in these salt‐affected soils through a bibliometric analysis and literature review. The research used the Web of Science database, from which 42,928 articles were initially identified. After careful keyword selection, the number was refined to 326 relevant publications. The analysis mapped the contributions of countries, institutions, and authors. Keyword analysis identified five thematic clusters, confirming that research is predominantly focused on soil application. The results show that China leads scientific production on this topic. However, a significant knowledge gap persists regarding the main research fronts in this field. The most relevant journals, such as Science of the Total Environment and Agronomy‐Basel , are the primary platforms for these studies. The overview highlights biochar's main applications in remediating saline soils, while addressing advances and challenges. The study also suggests future research directions, such as improving production technologies, adapting biochar to different soil types, and assessing long‐term environmental impacts.