Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.2, 83-90 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 84 production and promote the development of the L. japonicus industry. 2 Growth Characteristics and Environmental Requirements of Leonurus japonicus 2.1 Biological traits and active compounds Leonurus japonicus is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant that grows quickly and adapts well to various environments. It is widely distributed across many regions in China. The main medicinal compound is leonurine, known for its cardioprotective properties. The plant also contains various alkaloids and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (Farooq et al., 2022). These active components are mainly concentrated in the aerial parts, particularly the leaves and flowers. The full growth cycle typically ranges from 90 to 120 days. The plant is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Factors such as light intensity, soil quality, and nutrient availability directly influence both growth and the accumulation of active compounds (Calzadilla et al., 2019). 2.2 Key environmental factors affecting growth The growth of Leonurus japonicus depends on suitable climatic conditions, and the optimum temperature is between 20 ℃ and 28 ℃. More light is needed during the growth period, and insufficient light will inhibit photosynthesis, thereby affecting the yield and synthesis of active ingredients. Slightly acidic or neutral loam soil is suitable for planting, which requires good drainage, medium fertility, and pH value between 6.0 and 7.5. The water supply must be balanced, neither long-term ponding nor long-term drought, otherwise it is easy to cause root rot or growth restriction (Kaducová et al., 2019). When environmental conditions remain stable, the plant maintains good development and compound production. However, large fluctuations in temperature or humidity may reduce overall yield and quality. 2.3 Limitations of traditional cultivation The traditional planting method mainly depends on the natural climate. Not only the sowing and harvesting time is limited, but also the yield and efficacy are difficult to ensure. In extreme weather, such as continuous rain or drought, it is more likely to affect the normal development of plants and cause losses. This planting method needs to occupy a large area of arable land, and the utilization efficiency of land resources is low. If continuous cropping is encountered, soil degradation or disease accumulation may occur (Calzadilla et al., 2016). Due to the unstable planting conditions, the concentration of active ingredients in each batch of medicinal materials is prone to fluctuate, which is difficult to meet the requirements of traditional Chinese medicine enterprises for the consistency of the content of ingredients. These practical problems show that the traditional mode has not adapted to the development needs of the current medicinal industry. In order to improve the stability of yield and efficacy, more and more studies began to pay attention to the application of off-season planting technology in the production of Leonurus japonicus to alleviate the limitations brought by the traditional mode (Shah et al., 2020) (Figure 1). 3 Principles and Advantages of Off-Season Cultivation Technology 3.1 Basic principles of environmental control Off-season cultivation relies on adjusting environmental conditions so that crops can grow outside their natural seasons. This method is typically carried out in greenhouses or controlled growth chambers, where temperature, humidity, and light can be carefully managed. By setting suitable temperature ranges, regulating air moisture, and using artificial lighting, growers can maintain favorable conditions for plant growth. This approach helps ensure stable growth even in colder months or in areas with large day-night temperature differences, reducing the risk of yield loss caused by unpredictable weather (Weidner et al., 2021). 3.2 Advantages of greenhouse and vertical cultivation Greenhouse planting can effectively isolate adverse weather such as wind, rain and frost, reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, and reduce the frequency of pesticide use. The plants are protected in the greenhouse, with
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