Effects of Different Planting Patterns on the Yield and Quality of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua

Purpose To explore the optimal planting pattern for Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua, simultaneously improving the cultivation quality and yield.

Methods The P. cyrtonema cultivated under broad-leaved mixed forest, farmland, Phyllostachys edulis forest, Carya cathayensis forest and Torreya grandis forest were used as research objects, and the mature tubers were harvested and the contents of nutritional components (such as polysaccharides, total phenols, total flavonoids, total saponins) and the yield were determined. The relationship between the quality and yield of P. cyrtonema under different planting patterns was analyzed. The principal component analysis (PCA) method was used to evaluate the comprehensive performance of various planting patterns.

Results There were significant differences in various quality indicators and yield of P. cyrtonema under different planting patterns. There were significant positive correlations between total saponins and proteins, as well as between total phenols and vitamin C; total flavonoids showed significant negative correlations with total reduction capacity and vitamin C; amino acids were significant negative correlated with total phenols and vitamin C; while ash content exhibited significant negative correlation with total flavonoids. PCA identified the planting pattern under broad-leaved mixed forest as the optimal planting pattern, with the highest comprehensive score of 0.48, followed by the farmland pattern of 0.36. The yield of farmland planting pattern was the highest, followed by the broad-leaved mixed forest.

Conclusion Under the experimental conditions of this study, the cultivation of P. cyrtonema under broad-leaved mixed forests is the best planting pattern to achieve both quality and yield improvement.