Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 63-72 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 68 diseases and is more conducive to the health management during the seedling stage. 5.3 Increased stress tolerance and adaptability in seedlings due to soil improvement In addition to its impact on growth rate, soil improvement can also enhance the seedlings' ability to cope with adverse environments. When seedlings encounter situations such as drought or lack of nutrients, improved soil can act as a buffer to help plants get through difficult times. Organic cover materials, humus, etc. not only improve the soil structure, but also prompt plants to activate some "self-protection mechanisms" by themselves, such as increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the production of photosynthetic pigments, in order to reduce the damage caused by external pressure (Zeng et al., 2023). Improving the soil can also make seedlings more adaptable to different planting conditions. Lei et al. (2017) conducted an experiment. Although the seedlings grown by soilless seedling cultivation recovered slightly slower at the initial stage of transplanting, they could still adapt to the natural environment in the field later on, and their final growth was no worse than that of the traditional method. This adaptability is of great significance to the herb "Wu Yao", as it ensures that the seedlings can grow normally even in unstable plots, forming strong and highly resistant plants. 6 Synergistic Effects of Soil Improvement and Other Agricultural Practices 6.1 The combined effect of fertilization and soil improvement on Wu Yao growth Combining fertilization and soil improvement methods can accelerate the growth of black medicine more efficiently. Mao et al. (2021) conducted research on adding soil improvement materials such as humic acid and biochar while fertilizing. They found that after adding soil improvement materials, not only did the soil quality improve, but nutrients also became easier for plants to absorb, and black medicine grew faster and the yield increased. Applying compound fertilizers and super absorbent materials in degraded soil can improve the physiological state of seedlings. Under similar conditions, these two methods may also be effective for black medicine. The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve water utilization efficiency, allowing plants to absorb more nutrients through water absorption, which is beneficial for the stable growth of black medicine (Shi et al., 2023). In order to cultivate stronger plants, it is necessary to apply fertilizers in a planned manner to improve the structure and chemical properties of the soil. Jiang et al. (2024) pointed out in their study that reasonable fertilization combined with scientific irrigation can improve the utilization efficiency of water and nitrogen, which is beneficial for the health and yield of Wu Yao plants. 6.2 Synergistic effects of irrigation management and soil improvement In the cultivation of Linderae agglomerata, rationally managing watering patterns and improving the soil are crucial for enhancing plant growth and efficiency. Combining irrigation and soil improvement not only promotes healthier plant growth but also reduces the environmental burden of agricultural production, making the entire cultivation process greener and more sustainable. A practical approach is to determine watering timing based on soil moisture, commonly known as "soil-based watering." This approach avoids unnecessary waste and directs water use when it's truly needed, making it particularly suitable for areas with severe water shortages (Jiang et al., 2024). Combining this water-saving irrigation method with appropriate soil improvement measures can more effectively conserve water and fertilizer in the soil, reduce pollution caused by overfertilization, and be more eco-friendly (Li et al., 2018). 6.3 The integration of crop rotation and soil improvement to enhance soil health and long-term sustainability The combination of crop rotation and soil improvement is also an effective measure to improve soil health, which can ensure the long-term planting quality of black medicine. Li et al. (2024) found in their research that planting black medicine and other crops alternately, combined with improved materials such as biochar or earthworm compost, resulted in a healthier soil structure, higher organic matter content, and more active microorganisms. These are all very beneficial phenomena for soil ecology. These changes in soil are not only beneficial for the growth of black medicinal plants, but also make the soil more tolerant to external pressures such as drought and salinity. Another benefit of crop rotation is to interrupt the reproductive cycle of pests and pathogens, reduce dependence on pesticides and other chemicals during planting, and make plants healthier and the planting process
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