Patent Analysis on the Mitigation of Cultivated Land Obstacles Caused by Salinization, Acidification and Soil Erosion
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1.National Science Library (Wuhan), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Big Data in Science and Technology;2.Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (No. BK20242107)

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    Abstract:

    【Objective】Soil constraints, including salinization, acidification, and erosion, have evolved into pressing global environmental crises. Salinization, triggered by improper irrigation and inadequate drainage, causes salt accumulation in the soil, rendering it inhospitable for most crops. Acidification, mainly attributed to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and acid rain, disrupts the soil"s pH balance, impeding plants" nutrient absorption. Erosion, aggravated by deforestation and climate change, strips away the fertile topsoil, significantly reducing soil productivity. These issues not only severely threaten food security by limiting crop yields but also degrade soil health, undermining the long - term sustainability of agriculture. Consequently, mitigating soil constraints has become a central concern for the agriculture, environmental science, and policy - making sectors.【Method】This study conducted a quantitative analysis of 3 996 global patents related to soil constraint mitigation technologies (as of 2024) using the authoritative IncoPat patent database. Patents sourced from various regions and periods were meticulously selected. The analysis delved into aspects such as patent filing dates, applicant locations, technological classifications, and types of innovation entities, with the aim of uncovering research and development trends, technological distributions, and the characteristics of different innovators in this field.【Result】The findings revealed that global patent applications exhibit a "three - phase growth pattern". Since 2015, China has taken the lead in innovation activities. Technological advancements are characterized by a "triple - core - driven" structure, with soil salinization reduction technology at its core. Specialized soil conditioners for constrained land, accounting for 42.8% of the total patents, and upgrades to mechanized equipment have emerged as major research hotspots. Enterprises and universities serve as the primary innovation entities, with enterprises focusing on practical applications and commercialization, while universities contribute to fundamental research and technological breakthroughs. To address future challenges, it is essential to enhance research and development in bioremediation technologies, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, establish an integrated "monitoring-governance-evaluation" technical framework, and develop tailored full-chain mitigation models for different soil constraints. Additionally, continuous efforts in the development of novel technologies, materials, and products are vital for safeguarding soil health and ensuring agricultural sustainability.【Conclusion】This study offers a comprehensive overview of the global landscape of soil constraint mitigation technologies through patent analysis. It underscores the urgent need for collective action to address soil constraints, given their far-reaching impact on food security and agriculture. The identified trends and hotspots provide valuable insights for researchers, enterprises, and policymakers to strategically allocate resources. As the global population continues to grow, future research should prioritize sustainable and innovative solutions. By leveraging the strengths of different innovation entities and promoting international collaboration, significant progress will be made in safeguarding soil health and ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural systems.

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YUAN Jie, XU Lingying†,WANG Xiang, ZHAO Yanqiang, CHEN Yuqi, ZHAO Xu. Patent Analysis on the Mitigation of Cultivated Land Obstacles Caused by Salinization, Acidification and Soil Erosion[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica,2026,63(1).

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History
  • Received:January 23,2025
  • Revised:July 14,2025
  • Adopted:August 06,2025
  • Online: August 21,2025
  • Published:
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