BioSciAdmin BioSci

Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No.   
Received: 01 Jan., 1970    Accepted: 01 Jan., 1970    Published: 12 Oct., 2026

Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. is an important medicinal plant with high economic and pharmacological value; however, its production is increasingly constrained by continuous cropping obstacles caused by long-term monoculture practices. Continuous cropping can induce complex changes in rhizosphere soil environments, including nutrient imbalance, soil physicochemical degradation, microbial community dysbiosis, accumulation of autotoxic compounds, and increased pathogen pressure, ultimately leading to reduced plant growth, bulb yield, and medicinal quality. This review systematically summarizes the effects of continuous cropping on rhizosphere soil properties and growth performance of F. thunbergii, with emphasis on soil physicochemical characteristics, microbial ecological changes, plant physiological responses, and soil-plant interaction mechanisms. Continuous cropping alters key soil parameters, including pH, organic matter content, nutrient availability, soil structure, and enzyme activities, which directly affect root development and nutrient acquisition. Meanwhile, prolonged cultivation reshapes rhizosphere microbial communities by reducing beneficial microorganisms and enriching soil-borne pathogens, thereby disrupting microbial-mediated nutrient cycling and disease suppression functions. At the plant level, continuous cropping stress inhibits root growth, reduces photosynthetic capacity, induces oxidative stress, and negatively affects bulb accumulation and medicinal compound biosynthesis. The interaction between soil degradation, microbial imbalance, and plant physiological stress forms a major ecological mechanism underlying continuous cropping obstacles in F. thunbergii. A case study approach is presented to analyze dynamic changes in rhizosphere soil properties and plant growth responses across different continuous cropping years, highlighting key environmental drivers influencing productivity decline. Furthermore, this review discusses sustainable strategies for overcoming continuous cropping limitations, including crop rotation, organic amendments, beneficial microbial inoculation, and precision rhizosphere management. Future research integrating multi-omics technologies, microbiome engineering, and intelligent agricultural approaches will provide new opportunities for improving soil health and achieving sustainable production of Fritillaria thunbergii.