Abstract: 【Objective】The current situation of agricultural nonpoint source pollution (ANPS) research both in China and the world was analyzed for the purpose of understanding the frontiers and hot topics at present, and providing useful data for scholars and experts in the field of agricultural environment. 【Method】ISI Web of Science and CNKI database were chosen to analyze the published articles on ANPS study in recent 30 years based on paper number, major journals, and cited times. Issues including status and trends, frontiers, major institutions, and international cooperation were analyzed. 【Result】 A total of 280 articles in English and 1517 articles in Chinese were got. The most popular topics for ANPS study were control methods, investigation and analysis of ANPS status, and impact on the environment. Typical watershed such as Three Gorges, Taihu, and Miyun reservoir were hot regions for ANPS study. Agricultural streams are important for nutrient retention and removal in ANPS control. But the theory of the retention and removal process was not very clear now, which will be critical research area. Simulation with the process-based model was the main method. Field observation and laboratory experiment were important validation methods. Wisconsin University, California University and Iowa University from USA and Lancaster University from UK have done great works on ANPS study. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Normal University, and Xiamen University were famous for ANPS study in China. Cooperation between China and USA increased very much in recent years. The cooperation could help scholars in China focusing on the most important issues in the world and trying to find methods for resolving agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Most of the high quality articles and journals were from USA and Europe. Research ability, article quality, and famous journals in China need to be further improved. Main problems were lack of original research and important discovery, famous research groups, and important authors with high quality articles. The reasons for this phenomenon included short period of most research projects, no enough systematic observation data, difficult to use local models, no necessary cooperation among research groups, few model and data sharing work, unstable research group and staff. Lots of work should be done to resolve these problems. Firstly, make long-term planning for ANPS study and observations. Secondly, support original research for recent progress. Thirdly, reorganize all the financial support and make stable support for important groups. Finally, improve the evaluation system for institute a and staff, and increase the quality of local journals in English. 【Conclusion】ANPS control in watershed scale and simulation with process-based model are frontiers in the world for ANPS study. Nutrient transport and transformation mechanism in agricultural streams and river network will be the emphases and direction in the future research. Published articles from China increased dramatically in recent years, while articles with high impact and good international journals are few. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China and Scientia Agricultura Sinica are journals published high quality articles on ANPS study in China.

Key words: nonpoint source pollution , bibliometric , development trend , CNKI database , SCIE database