Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 37-44 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 42 temperature conditions, plant secondary metabolites are more stable, with less fluctuation and better quality assurance. 6.3 Practical application of environmental control technology inLeonurus japonicus cultivation In order to improve the yield and efficacy, many growers began to use environmental control technology to plant Leonurus japonicus. The greenhouse system can automatically control temperature and humidity, provide a constant growth environment, and is helpful for the stable production of carnitine (Xu, 2006). In terms of lighting, dimming led system is used to provide light of specific wavelength and promote flavonoid synthesis in the critical period of growth (Miao et al., 2019). Hydroponic system can accurately allocate nutrients, avoid uncertain factors brought by soil, improve plant quality, and have higher content of active ingredients (Tan et al., 2018). This method is especially suitable for promotion in cities or areas with limited resources to solve the problem of Limited traditional planting conditions. 7 Challenges and Future Directions inLeonurus japonicus Research 7.1 Problems with current cultivation techniques Currently, the most common problem encountered in cultivating Leonurus japonicus is the unstable yield of its medicinal ingredients (such as carnosine and leonurine). This is primarily due to the high volatility of weather, especially when cultivated outdoors, which is more susceptible to factors such as temperature and rainfall, making it difficult to guarantee yield and quality. Unpredictable weather, severe insect pests, and insufficient soil nutrients all directly affect the plant's normal growth and the accumulation of its active ingredients (Xu, 2006). Currently, many cultivation methods lack standardized procedures, and practices vary greatly among farmers in different locations, resulting in varying quality of the medicinal material. Although some modern cultivation methods, such as greenhouse planting and hydroponics, can better control temperature and humidity, they are expensive and require high technology. It is difficult for small farmers with insufficient funds and immature technology to afford these advanced systems. Moreover, there are few technical training opportunities in rural areas, and it is not easy to shift from traditional planting to modern technology (Shang et al., 2014). 7.2 The influence of environmental factors on active ingredients is complex It is difficult to clarify the relationship between the active ingredients of Leonurus japonicus and environmental conditions. For example, mild drought can sometimes promote an increase in flavonoids and phenolic acids, but if the drought is too severe, it may slow down the overall metabolism of plants, which is not conducive to component accumulation (Shen et al., 2002). The intensity and color of light have significant effects on plants at different growth stages and under different environments (Miao et al., 2019). These external conditions not only act independently but also interact with each other. Soil pH affects a plant's ability to absorb nutrients and influence the synthesis of alkaline compounds, which is further influenced by temperature and light intensity (Zhang et al., 2022). 7.3 Research priorities and emerging technologies Future research should focus on understanding how Leonurus japonicus regulates genes and synthesizes active ingredients in various environments. Transcriptome and metabolomics techniques can be used to identify which genes are active and which metabolic pathways are regulated in plants under different conditions, providing a basis for the subsequent breeding of more stress resistant and yield stable varieties (Miao et al., 2019). At the technical level, precision agriculture tools can be considered, such as using intelligent sensors to monitor environmental changes such as temperature, humidity, and light, and then automatically control irrigation and fertilization systems to ensure that plants are in the most suitable growth state. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology can already achieve these functions, and if combined with agricultural systems, it can improve yield stability and save resources more (Tan et al., 2018; Zhong, 2024).
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