Progress and Hotspot Analysis of Bibliometric-Based Research on Agricultural Irrigation Patterns on Non-Point Pollution

Abstract

With the constant advancement of irrigation technology and the continuous expansion of irrigation areas, non-point source pollution (NPS) caused by agricultural activities has posed a persistent threat to ecosystems and biological safety. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to lay scientific foundations for green, sustainable, and high-quality agricultural development through a thorough review of the relevant research progress. In this study, bibliometric methods are adopted to comprehensively analyze and visualize the current state and key literature on agricultural irrigation and NPS pollution from 2010 to July 2024. The focus of this study is specifically on summarizing the research hotspots and development trends of different irrigation methods and the mechanisms behind their impacts on NPS pollution. The results indicate that publications from the United States and China account for 63.8% of the total, but the fragmentation of research efforts remains, suggesting a necessity to strengthen international and regional collaboration. There are three institutions with the highest publication output, namely Northwest A&F University, Hohai University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The subjects identified as the key areas of research on irrigation-related NPS pollution (IRR-NPS) include precision irrigation, rapid water pollution response, spatiotemporal management, interdisciplinary integration, wastewater treatment, and crop models. Regarding future research, it is necessary to focus attention on real-time precision irrigation, standardized crop models, data accuracy, spatiotemporal pollution coordination, pollution purification technology development, interdisciplinary integrated governance, and the innovative applications of soil improvement technologies. In addition to offering theoretical support and practical guidance for the management of agricultural NPS pollution, this study also provides management and technical support for policymakers, which is beneficial for advancing agricultural irrigation technology and environmental preservation.