Effect of Soil pH on Growth of Some Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been valuable sources of natural therapeutic compounds leading to increased attention and recognition of their importance in healthcare, pharmaceutical production, and sustainable agriculture due to their contributions in these areas. Soil pH is of great significance among the environmental factors that impact the cultivation of medicinal plants as this factor plays a crucial role in determining the availability of nutrients and the functioning of microbial processes that include root development and processes impacting the plant growth and accumulation of the bioactive substances. Soil pH management becomes the prerequisite for wise decision-making and ensuring the successful production of the necessary medicinal plants. The present review provides a thorough review of the impact of soil pH on several medicinal plants by discussing the findings from the modern literature. It is important to understand that the current research employs a literary comparative method exploring the influence of neutral, acidic, and alkaline soils on the plant's development, nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and soil microorganisms, as well as productive capacity and phytochemical characteristics of the plant. The results of the research indicate that soil pH has an impact on nutrient availability and the rhizosphere microbial patterns, as well as its impact.