Impact of Environments on Root Growth and Marker Compounds of <i>Adenophora triphylla</i> in Different Regions of South Korea

Abstract

Adenophora triphylla, a perennial plant widely used in traditional medicine, produces secondary metabolites like lupenone and β-sitosterol. Understanding how environmental factors influence the concentrations of these metabolites is crucial for optimizing their medicinal use and cultivation. This study examined the relationships between soil physicochemical properties, climatic variables, and the growth and metabolite content of A. triphylla roots across 17 cultivation sites in South Korea. Methods included UHPLC-MS/MS analysis for quantifying lupenone and β-sitosterol, alongside correlation analysis of growth traits and environmental factors. The results showed that higher soil pH and calcium/magnesium content were positively correlated with the fresh weight of the root, whereas lower temperatures increased biomass accumulation. Additionally, lupenone was significantly associated with the elongation of various root growth, whereas β-sitosterol showed a correlation only with the diameter of the taproot. These findings suggest that environmental factors, particularly soil pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, and temperature, play key roles in influencing both the growth and metabolite production of A. triphylla, providing valuable insights into improving its medicinal and agronomic potential.

Keywords

• <i>Adenophora triphylla</i>
• correlations
• cultivation factors
• medicinal plants
• root crops
• secondary metabolites