Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 275-284 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 275 Research Insight Open Access Efficient Cultivation Techniques of Corydalis yanhusuo and Strategies to Enhance Alkaloid Content Yi Jin, Yongqiang Li, Bowei He Quality Seed Extension Center of Dongyang, Dongyang, 322100, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: 724512742@qq.com Medicinal Plant Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0023 Received: 25 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 30 Sep., 2024 Published: 17 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Jin et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Jin Y., Li Y.Q., and He B.W., 2024, Efficient cultivation techniques of Corydalis yanhusuo and strategies to enhance alkaloid content, Medicinal Plant Research, 14(5): 275-284 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0023) Abstract Corydalis yanhusuo, known as an important medicinal plant, has its tubers widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores the cultivation techniques of Corydalis yanhusuo and strategies to enhance the alkaloid content, its main active component, including soil improvement, environmental control, planting density optimization, and pest and disease management. The study also analyzes the identification of alkaloid biosynthesis genes and their expression patterns during tuber development. The results show that optimizing soil conditions and environmental management can significantly increase tuber yield and alkaloid content. Rational pest and disease control measures, along with biotechnological approaches, hold great potential for enhancing the medicinal components of Corydalis yanhusuo. This study provides a reference for efficient cultivation and enhancement of medicinal value in Corydalis yanhusuo, and offers insights for the cultivation of other medicinal plants. Keywords Corydalis yanhusuo; Efficient cultivation; Alkaloid content; Soil improvement; Pest and disease management; Biotechnology 1 Introduction Corydalis yanhusuo, commonly known as Yuanhu or Yanhusuo, belongs to the Papaveraceae family and is a valuable medicinal plant. It is native to East Asia, particularly China, and has been widely used in traditional medicine as a key component in various herbal formulations (Zhang et al., 2020a). Corydalis yanhusuo was first documented in the Kaibao Bencao and is known for its properties of promoting blood circulation, regulating qi, and relieving pain (Liu and Liu, 2012, Capital Medicine, (3): 47). The primary medicinal part of Corydalis yanhusuo is its dried tuber, renowned for its efficacy in treating various pain-related symptoms (Yuan et al., 2004; Tian et al., 2020; Li et al., 2022). With the increasing demand for Corydalis yanhusuo in the pharmaceutical industry, developing efficient cultivation techniques that enhance both yield and alkaloid content has become particularly crucial. Such advancements would significantly improve its medicinal and economic value (Sagare et al., 2000; Li et al., 2022). The cultivation of Corydalis yanhusuo faces numerous challenges. This plant has stringent requirements for soil conditions, climatic environment, and nutrient management, which directly determine its optimal growth state and efficient alkaloid production. However, traditional cultivation methods often result in significant yield fluctuations and unstable alkaloid content, making it difficult to meet the strict standards of medicinal quality (Sagare et al., 2000). Studies have shown that when Corydalis yanhusuo is rotated with crops such as peanuts, the tuber yield may significantly decrease, though under specific field conditions, its yield can improve (Li et al., 2022). Additionally, the plant's high sensitivity to pests and diseases greatly affects its yield, raising the need for more stringent and effective pest and disease control measures. Enhancing alkaloid content represents another major challenge in the cultivation of Corydalis yanhusuo, as it is influenced by a combination of factors including soil fertility, environmental conditions, and genetic traits (Du et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2020). A deeper understanding of the synergistic effects of these key variables, coupled with optimized cultivation management strategies, is essential for achieving efficient production and enhancing the medicinal value of Corydalis yanhusuo.
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