Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 63-72 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 67 synthesize more active ingredients, making the medicinal value of Wu Yao higher (Figure 2) (Wang et al., 2022b). Figure 2 Removal of soil contaminants (pesticide residues, heavy metals and organic pollutants) by microorganisms and the potential mechanism (Adopted from Wang et al., 2022b) Image caption: Heavy metals are adsorbed and fixed on the cell surface by microorganisms. Highly toxic metallic elements can be converted to less or non-toxic substances by redox reactions. The chemical pesticides and organic pollutants are broken down by soil microbes into small molecule compounds, H2OandCO2 (Adopted from Wang et al., 2022b) 4.3 Improved disease resistance and stress tolerance in mother plants Soil improvement can also make Wu Yao more resistant to diseases. The improved soil microbial community is healthier, and these "good" microorganisms can inhibit the growth of "bad" bacteria, acting as natural disease prevention helpers. They can also activate the plant's own defense mechanisms, reduce root and leaf diseases, and make Wu Yao grow healthier and yield more stable (Wei et al., 2019). Wu Yao can also exhibit stronger resilience in harsh environments such as drought and salt alkali. This is because the improved soil has better water retention, more abundant nutrients, and stronger root systems. These advantages can help Wu Yao grow normally in difficult to grow areas, maintain the continuous production of medicinal ingredients, and are also important for future cultivation (El Kady and Borham, 2013). 5 Effect of Soil Improvement on Wu Yao Seedlings 5.1 The promotion of root development and growth in seedlings Improving soil is beneficial for the root development of seedlings. Adding organic fertilizer or using appropriate thickness of cover to the soil can not only supplement nutrients, but also loosen the soil structure, enhance air circulation, and be more suitable for root growth. In the process of rice cultivation, applying organic fertilizer or nutrient rich soil directly during sowing can enhance plant roots, effectively improve seed germination rate and seedling growth (Zeng et al., 2023). Lei et al. (2017) used soilless substrates for seedling cultivation, significantly increasing root length and aboveground growth, indicating that this type of substrate can also support root development well. Good root growth not only helps plants stand firm, but also helps them absorb more water and nutrients. For Wu Yao seedlings, this is crucial (Zeng et al., 2023). 5.2 The impact of soil improvement on seedling survival rates and early growth Improving soil conditions is crucial for enhancing the early survival and growth status of seedlings. For example, laying a suitable mulch on the seedbed and applying organic fertilizer as the base treatment can increase the germination rate and make the seedlings grow taller and thicker (Zeng et al., 2023). This method is particularly effective when the seedlings have just emerged from the soil and their root systems are still unstable, as the soil conditions at that time will directly determine whether the seedlings can survive. Using soilless materials (such as coconut coir, vermiculite, etc.) for seedling cultivation can also enhance the overall quality of the seedlings. Although the seedlings raised in this way will have a short "accelution" process after transplanting, such as a slower return of green leaves, overall, the growth performance is not much different from that of seedlings raised in traditional nutrient soil (Lei et al., 2017). This type of seedling raising method can also reduce soil-borne
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