Why is the cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs so closely related to soil?

Soil is the foundation of cultivating Chinese medicinal herbs, and most of the substances needed for plant growth and development are supplied through the soil. Reasonable cultivation of suitable soil and continuous improvement of soil fertility are the only ways to achieve high quality and high yield in Chinese medicinal herbs.

I. Soil fertility

Soil with high fertility is the foundation of stable and high yields, so measures such as building water conservancy facilities, deep plowing and careful cultivation, and rational fertilization can continuously improve soil fertility and promote the conversion of potential fertility into available fertility.

II. Soil texture

1. Sandy soil: poor water-holding capacity, prone to drought, fertilization requires small amounts and multiple applications.

2. Clayey soil: strong water- and fertilizer-holding capacity, but poor aeration, very sticky when wet, difficult to cultivate, and when dry it forms clods and cracks easily, which is unfavorable for seed germination and plant growth.

3. Loamy soil: between clayey soil and sandy soil, loose in texture, with good aeration, relatively good water- and fertilizer-holding capacity, easy to cultivate, and suitable for the growth of most medicinal herbs.

4. Soil pH: Chinese medicinal herbs each have a certain range of adaptability to soil pH, and beyond that range they grow poorly or even die. Most Chinese medicinal herbs are suitable for growing in neutral to weakly alkaline soil.

Soil pH is not unchanging and can be gradually transformed through appropriate measures.