[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the correlation be- tween yield of Coptis chinensis Franch. and soil nutrients under different forests. [Method] The soil nutrients and yields of C. chinensis in fallow field, Cryptomeria japonica forest, Magnolia officinalis forest and Phellodendron chinense forest planted with C. chinensis were investigated. [Result] The contents of soil nitrogen (total ni- trogen, alkali-hydrolyzale nitrogen), organic matter, potassium and phosphorous under the planting mode of C. chinensis under C. japonica forest were the highest; and the contents of organic matter and total nitrogen in the soils of M. officinalis and P. chinense forests were close to each other at the medium abundant level, and the phosphorous contents were more abundant than those in fallow field. [Conclusion] This study could provide a theoretical basis for scientific fertilization.