Regional adaptability and integrated evaluation of saline-alkali soil remediation technologies: a comprehensive review

Global soil salinization is intensifying and posing serious threats to food security, ecological stability, and sustainable land use. Bibliometric analyses indicate that most existing studies have focused on plant responses to salt stress, salinity tolerance mechanisms, and soil remediation technologies targeting physicochemical properties. However, recent reviews remain limited to isolated technical analyses or parallel comparisons, with insufficient attention to the compatibility of remediation technologies under complex interactions involving climatic conditions, geographical features, and resource endowments. This study systematically evaluated the regional adaptability of saline-alkali soil remediation technologies across three representative zones: inland arid regions, the Hetao irrigation area, and coastal humid regions. The evaluation was based on fundamental reclamation mechanisms and regional pedoclimatic characteristics. A comprehensive assessment incorporating SWOT analysis, modified Delphi method, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis was employed to evaluate the integrated performance of various remediation approaches. The results revealed distinct optimal strategies. Specifically, water-saving and salt-inhibition technologies proved most effective in inland arid regions, integrated engineering and bio-stimulation approaches were optimal in the Hetao irrigation district, and organic amendments combined with ecological remediation performed best in coastal humid zones. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for precision soil management and support the sustainable utilization of reserve cultivated land resources.