In most sciences particularly chemistry and physics having a strong background in mathematics helps in understanding of most of the concepts. However, chemistry has been described as the mother of all sciences.
Certainly not the root in disciplines like biology, but very useful tool to help resolve many problems. The root of any science is observation - for the proper interpretation of the observed facts sometimes mathematics is neded, more frequently only helpful, often totally irrelevant.
Sciences which aim to uncover mathematical structures in nature or in hunan activities are more likely to lead to repeatable results and reproducible experiments than purely qualitative sciences.