Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures

Rehmannia glutinosa is a widely cultivated medicinal herb, which faces significant challenges due to continuous cropping obstacles (CCO). After one year of cultivating in the same field, replanting is unsuccessful for the next 8–10 years due to the accumulation of allelochemicals, deterioration of s...

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Main Authors: Tao Gan, Zhaofeng Yuan, Williamson Gustave, Tianyu Luan, Lizhi He, Zhemin Jia, Xinyu Zhao, Shuo Wang, Yun Deng, Xiaokai Zhang, Feng He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Soil & Environmental Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949919425000172
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author Tao Gan
Zhaofeng Yuan
Williamson Gustave
Tianyu Luan
Lizhi He
Zhemin Jia
Xinyu Zhao
Shuo Wang
Yun Deng
Xiaokai Zhang
Feng He
author_facet Tao Gan
Zhaofeng Yuan
Williamson Gustave
Tianyu Luan
Lizhi He
Zhemin Jia
Xinyu Zhao
Shuo Wang
Yun Deng
Xiaokai Zhang
Feng He
author_sort Tao Gan
collection DOAJ
description Rehmannia glutinosa is a widely cultivated medicinal herb, which faces significant challenges due to continuous cropping obstacles (CCO). After one year of cultivating in the same field, replanting is unsuccessful for the next 8–10 years due to the accumulation of allelochemicals, deterioration of soil properties, and disruptions in soil microbial communities. These factors severely impact plant growth, quality, and overall soil health. This review examines the causes and adverse effects of CCO in R. glutinosa cultivation and evaluates various strategies to mitigate them. CCO arise from complex interactions between the plant root system, soil properties, and microbial communities. A key contributor is the accumulation of phenolic acids in the rhizosphere, which alters soil physicochemical properties and promotes the proliferation of root pathogens, including fungi and root-knot nematodes. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of soil degradation and plant stress, exacerbating CCO. Approaches such as variety selection, optimized crop rotation patterns, and the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are discussed in the article. Additionally, soil disinfection techniques, including fumigation, organic amendments, flooding, and mulching, are reviewed for their potential to suppress pathogens and restore soil health. The role of biochar, compost, and beneficial microorganisms, applied individually or in combination, to alleviate CCO and improve soil conditions are also highlighted. This review aims to provide a theoretical framework and practical guidance for overcoming CCO in R. glutinosa cultivation, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices for this important medicinal crop.
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spelling doaj-art-49aa18371bca46fcbbfac81e5b7558432025-08-20T03:52:06ZengElsevierSoil & Environmental Health2949-91942025-04-013210014410.1016/j.seh.2025.100144Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measuresTao Gan0Zhaofeng Yuan1Williamson Gustave2Tianyu Luan3Lizhi He4Zhemin Jia5Xinyu Zhao6Shuo Wang7Yun Deng8Xiaokai Zhang9Feng He10Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaState Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Plant Virology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, ChinaSchool of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences, University of the Bahamas, Nassau, 4912, BahamasInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaCollege of Environment and Resources, College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an, 311300, ChinaInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaInstitute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China; Corresponding author.Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, ChinaRehmannia glutinosa is a widely cultivated medicinal herb, which faces significant challenges due to continuous cropping obstacles (CCO). After one year of cultivating in the same field, replanting is unsuccessful for the next 8–10 years due to the accumulation of allelochemicals, deterioration of soil properties, and disruptions in soil microbial communities. These factors severely impact plant growth, quality, and overall soil health. This review examines the causes and adverse effects of CCO in R. glutinosa cultivation and evaluates various strategies to mitigate them. CCO arise from complex interactions between the plant root system, soil properties, and microbial communities. A key contributor is the accumulation of phenolic acids in the rhizosphere, which alters soil physicochemical properties and promotes the proliferation of root pathogens, including fungi and root-knot nematodes. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of soil degradation and plant stress, exacerbating CCO. Approaches such as variety selection, optimized crop rotation patterns, and the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are discussed in the article. Additionally, soil disinfection techniques, including fumigation, organic amendments, flooding, and mulching, are reviewed for their potential to suppress pathogens and restore soil health. The role of biochar, compost, and beneficial microorganisms, applied individually or in combination, to alleviate CCO and improve soil conditions are also highlighted. This review aims to provide a theoretical framework and practical guidance for overcoming CCO in R. glutinosa cultivation, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices for this important medicinal crop.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949919425000172FertilizationCrop rotationHerbal medicineSoil fumigationPhenoloic acidsSoil microorganisms
spellingShingle Tao Gan
Zhaofeng Yuan
Williamson Gustave
Tianyu Luan
Lizhi He
Zhemin Jia
Xinyu Zhao
Shuo Wang
Yun Deng
Xiaokai Zhang
Feng He
Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
Soil & Environmental Health
Fertilization
Crop rotation
Herbal medicine
Soil fumigation
Phenoloic acids
Soil microorganisms
title Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
title_full Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
title_fullStr Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
title_full_unstemmed Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
title_short Challenges of continuous cropping in Rehmannia glutinosa: Mechanisms and mitigation measures
title_sort challenges of continuous cropping in rehmannia glutinosa mechanisms and mitigation measures
topic Fertilization
Crop rotation
Herbal medicine
Soil fumigation
Phenoloic acids
Soil microorganisms
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949919425000172
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