The general pattern, variability, and drivers

The gap

Evidence profile

Stated in the future work and abstract and cells research gap sections of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2024 and 2026, spanning 8 journals. Those papers have been cited 382 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Soil salinization in agriculture: Mitigation and adaptation strategies combining nature-based solutions and bioengineering (2024) · iScience · cited 382× · doi

  Organic fertilizers ll OPEN ACCESS Using organic fertilizers offers an effective strategy for preserving soil organic carbon (SOC) levels and preventing soil salinization. Derived from natural sources like animal manure, compost, or cover crops, organic fertilizers deliver numerous benefits to soil health and fertility.65 By introducing organic matter into the soil, these fertilizers contribute to SOC enrichment. This organic matter serves as a carbon source that stimulates the activity of soil microorganisms, leading to the decomposition of organic materials. Consequently, this process releases essential nutrients into the soil, supporting plant growth while increasing SOC levels. By maintaining or augmenting SOC, organic fertilizers enhance soil structure and bolster water-holding capacity,66 effectively reducing the risk of soil salinization. Furthermore, organic fertilizers are vital in enhancing nutrient cycling and availability in the soil. The organic matter in these fertilizers acts as a reservoir of nutrients, slowly releasing them over time, thus reducing the likelihood of nutrient leaching and runoff.67 This efficient nutrient management helps maintain a balanced soil ecosystem and prevent the accumulation of salts, a major cause of soil salinization. Having said that ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of organic materials can be difficult due to factors such as availability, transportation, and cost. Second, determining the optimal application rates and timing of organic fertilizers demands a thorough understanding of soil characteristics and crop requirements.

  generalstated in future workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: organic soil fertilizers nutrient salinization matter carbon levels activity decomposition materials nutrients structure reducing availability
• Long-term application of different organic materials enhance soil organic carbon stability and sequestration in saline-alkali paddy soils (2026) · Frontiers in Soil Science · doi

  Organic materials are widely used to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, but their comparative effects and underlying mechanisms in saline-alkali soils remain unclear.

  generalstated in abstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: organic materials widely used enhance soil carbon storage comparative effects underlying mechanisms saline alkali soils
• Organic fertilizer substitution alleviates microbial resource limitations to enhance soil function and crop yields (2026) · Soil Ecology Letters · doi

  Organic-mineral fertilizer combination is a core sustainable agricultural strategy, but its regulatory mechanisms on soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) remain unclear.

  generalstated in abstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: organic mineral fertilizer combination core sustainable agricultural strategy regulatory mechanisms soil quality ecosystem multifunctionality remain
• Integrated Application of Biochar and Polyacrylamide with Conservation Tillage Promotes Fertilizer-N Recovery in the Short Term (2026) · Agriculture · doi

  Although conservation tillage (CT), polyacrylamide (PAM), and biochar (BC) are each known to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC), their combined short-term effects on SOC sequestration and fertilizer-nitrogen (N) recovery remain unclear.

  generalstated in abstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: conservation tillage polyacrylamide biochar known enhance soil organic carbon combined short term effects sequestration fertilizer
• Long-Term Nutrient Management (47 Years) Drives Yield Trajectories and Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in Maize-Wheat Cropping System of the Northwestern Himalayas (2026) · Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition · doi

  The study identifies a gap in our understanding of the long-term effects of contrasting nutrient management practices on soil organic matter dynamics and yield stability. - The study highlights the need for more research on the role of soil organic matter in sustaining soil fertility and carbon sequestration.

  generalstated in cells research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap understanding long-term effects contrasting nutrient
• Rock-enhanced biochar exhibits similar priming effect as pure biochar application while improving short-term carbon stabilization in agricultural soils (2026) · Biology and Fertility of Soils · doi

  However, it remains unknown how their combination affects mineralization and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC).

  generalstated in abstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: remains unknown combination affects mineralization stabilization soil organic carbon
• Precipitation and plant cover promote soil organic carbon accumulation in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (2026) · AoB PLANTS · doi

  However, the mechanisms controlling the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in this fragile ecosystem remain unclear.

  generalstated in abstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: mechanisms controlling accumulation soil organic carbon fragile ecosystem remain unclear
• Contributions of Vegetation Restoration to Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Deserts of China: A Meta‐Analysis (2026) · Land Degradation & Development · doi

  However, the general pattern, variability, and drivers of its effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) remain unclear.

  generalstated in abstractevidence 4/5
  Keywords: general pattern variability drivers effects soil organic carbon remain unclear

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