Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 97-106 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 101 correlated with the accumulation of phenolic acids, which are known to reduce oxidative damage, thereby enhancing the medicinal quality of the plant (Cai et al., 2021). Additionally, the electric field has been shown to enhance cadmium accumulation and photosynthesis in Lonicera japonica, suggesting that controlled environmental conditions can optimize the plant's growth and medicinal properties (Liu et al., 2022). 5.2 Soil health and nutrient management Soil health and nutrient management are critical for the optimal growth and medicinal quality of Lonicera japonica. Planting Lonicera japonica in gravel-mulched land significantly improved soil properties, including increased concentrations of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Enzyme activities such as urease, phosphatase, and catalase were also enhanced, leading to improved soil bacterial community diversity. These improvements in soil health directly contribute to the better growth and medicinal quality of Lonicera japonica (Wang et al., 2023). Furthermore, the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, such as Glomus versiforme and Rhizophagus intraradices, can enhance nutrient uptake, reduce cadmium toxicity, and improve antioxidant activities, thereby promoting healthier plant growth and higher medicinal value (Jiang et al., 2016). 5.3 Biotic factors influencing Lonicera japonica Biotic factors, including microbial interactions and plant-microbe symbiosis, significantly influence the growth and medicinal properties of Lonicera japonica. The symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been shown to alleviate cadmium toxicity and improve nutrient uptake, which in turn enhances the plant's growth and medicinal properties (Jiang et al., 2016). Additionally, the diversity of soil bacterial communities, influenced by the cultivation of Lonicera japonica, plays a crucial role in maintaining soil health and promoting plant growth. The presence of beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes can enhance soil nutrient availability and enzyme activities, further supporting the medicinal quality of the plant (Wang et al., 2023). In summary, environmental factors such as climate, soil health, and biotic interactions play a pivotal role in determining the medicinal properties of Lonicera japonica. Understanding and managing these factors can lead to improved cultivation practices and enhanced medicinal quality of this valuable plant. 6 Case Study 6.1 Successful breeding programs in enhancing Lonicera japonica Several breeding programs have successfully enhanced the medicinal properties of Lonicera japonica. One notable example is the breeding of the elite variety ‘Yujin2’, which has a strong aroma and is used in functional drinks and cosmetics. This variety was developed through selective breeding and has been shown to have a significantly higher concentration of terpenoids, tryptophan derivatives, and fatty acid derivatives compared to other varieties like ‘Fengjin1’ (Figure 1) (Li et al., 2022). The integrated volatile metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that the biosynthetic pathways of these compounds were major contributors to the stronger aroma of ‘Yujin2’, providing insights into the metabolic mechanisms and molecular basis of floral scents in Lonicera japonica (Figure 2) (Li et al., 2022). 6.2 Field applications of high-medicinal-value cultivars High-medicinal-value cultivars of Lonicera japonica have been applied in various fields, including medicine, cosmetics, and environmental remediation. For instance, the polysaccharides extracted from Lonicera japonica have been used to develop functional products such as lozenges, soy sauce, and toothpaste, highlighting their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and therapeutic effects on various infectious diseases (Yang et al., 2023). Additionally, the leaves and stems of Lonicera japonica, which have similar chemical components and anti-inflammatory properties as the flower buds, have been proposed as alternative or supplementary sources for medicinal use (Li et al., 2020). Furthermore, the application of electric fields has been shown to enhance cadmium accumulation and photosynthesis in Lonicera japonica, making it a promising candidate for environmental remediation (Liu et al., 2022).
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