Advances in medicinal plant cultivation techniques for enhancing yield and quality — a review

The cultivation of medicinal plants is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by the dual demands of higher productivity. This review synthesizes recent advances in innovative cultivation systems, genetic improvement, and sustainable management practices aimed at enhancing yield, quality, and resource efficiency. Modern soilless systems such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming are enabling precise control over growing environments, improving phytochemical content, nutrient uptake, and water-use efficiency. Tissue culture and bioreactor technologies are revolutionizing mass propagation, conservation, and targeted enhancement of bioactive compounds, while molecular breeding and CRISPR-based genome editing are unlocking new genetic potential. Concurrently, sustainable practices, including organic farming, integrated pest management, conservation tillage, cover cropping, and circular economy models, are reducing carbon footprints and safeguarding biodiversity. The review also examines future directions such as block chain-enabled traceability, life cycle assessment (LCA) for environmental benchmarking, and digital twin models for real-time cultivation optimization. These advancements collectively position medicinal plant cultivation to meet growing global demand for high-quality herbal products while aligning with ecological and regulatory imperatives.