In 1930, domestic and international experts were invited to found the Research Office of Soil in Beijing and conducted systematic survey and research on China’s soils, signaling the official start of modern soil science research in China. From 1930 to 1953, Chinese soil scientists achieved a lot in generalized soil survey, soil mapping, soil classification and other aspects. Since 1950s, much work on soil resources, soil improvement, fertility nurture and reasonable fertilization were conducted by soil scientists to figure out soil chemical, physical and biological property and its fertility status. During this period, research centered on soil genesis, classification, distribution pattern and properties. After the reform and opening up policy was carried out in 1979, soil scientists undertook national science and technology programs such as comprehensive management and reasonable development in the Huang-huai-hai Plain and comprehensive development in the Taihu Lake Plain.

In conclusion, Chinese soil scientists made a great contribution to meeting the food requirement of the 20% of the world’s population with 9% of the world’s arable land, as well as to the social and economic development. These include but not limited to conducting the National Soil Survey, improving the fertility of moderate- and low-yield fields, increasing the utilization efficiency of fertilizers, protecting of the farmland eco-environment, and addressing global climate changes. 

While solving practical problems at the societal demands, the soil science discipline has also made a great headway in terms of its own scientific evolution. For instance, the following sub-disciplines have been established and achieved tremendous development within China: soil geography, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil ecology, environmental soil science, soil remote-sensing and information. Furthermore, numerous milestone monographs have been published, such as “Soils of China”. Important research fields such as material recycling in the Pedosphere have been emphasized which has enriched modern soil science with new theories. 

Fig. Number of the papers published in soil science journals of the Web of Science relative to country and region

In terms of research areas, Chinese scientists not only focus on hot issues such as climate change, diversity in rhizosphere microorganisms, etc., but also pay attentions to typical soil issues in China like soil and water erosion in losses plateau and contaminated soils restoration.

Fig. Key-word cooccurrence graph of SCI papers published in soil science of China during 2011-2019