Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 308-319 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 311 3 Traditional and Current Cultivation Techniques of P. lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ 3.1 Review of traditional cultivation methods Traditional cultivation methods of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ have primarily focused on adapting the plant to temperate regions with cool and dry climates. Historically, these methods have included selecting cultivars that naturally thrive in these conditions and ensuring that the plants receive adequate chilling during the winter months to break bud dormancy and promote flowering. The traditional approach has relied heavily on natural chilling, which is essential for the dormancy release and subsequent growth cycles of the Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ (Zhang et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2019a). In regions where natural chilling is insufficient, traditional methods have often failed to produce optimal results. For instance, in the southern parts of China, where winter temperatures are higher, traditional cultivation techniques have struggled to meet the chilling requirements of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’. This has led to poor bud dormancy release and reduced flowering, significantly impacting the yield and quality of the peonies (Zhang et al., 2019a). 3.2 Application of modern cultivation techniques Modern cultivation techniques have introduced several innovative approaches to address the limitations of traditional methods. One significant advancement is the use of controlled chilling treatments to meet the chilling requirements of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ in warmer climates. Studies have shown that chilling at 0 °C-4 °C for four weeks, combined with irrigation using 300 mg/L humic acid, can effectively hasten flowering and ensure high-quality blooms (Zhang et al., 2019a; Kamenetsky-Goldstein and Yu, 2022). The application of plant growth regulators and optimized cultivation conditions further enhances the yield and quality of both flowers and roots, thereby increasing its economic potential (Bae et al., 2008; Zhao et al., 2021). Another modern technique involves the use of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models to evaluate and select peony cultivars that are best suited for low-latitude regions. This approach integrates long-running quantitative observations and various criteria related to adaptability, ornamental features, and growth habits. Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ has been identified as a highly adaptable herbaceous peony cultivar, making it an optimal candidate for cultivation in subtropical and tropical regions (Zhang et al., 2019b; Wang et al., 2020). 3.3 Challenges in cultivation technique development Despite the advancements in modern cultivation techniques, several challenges remain in the development and application of these methods. One of the primary challenges is the variability in chilling requirements among different peony cultivars. While Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’ has a relatively low chilling requirement, other cultivars may not perform as well under the same conditions, necessitating further research and customization of chilling treatments (Zhang et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2022a). Another significant challenge is the impact of global warming and extreme weather events on peony cultivation. Higher winter temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns can disrupt the dormancy and growth cycles of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hang Baishao’, making it difficult to maintain consistent yield and quality. Additionally, the development of new cultivars through hybridization and genetic modification requires extensive research and testing to ensure that they can thrive in diverse climatic conditions (Zhang et al., 2019a; 2019b; Wang et al., 2022a). 4 Optimization Strategies for Cultivation Techniques of Paeonia lactiflora 'Hang Baishao' 4.1 Soil and fertilizer management techniques The selection of appropriate soil is crucial for the successful cultivation of Paeonia lactiflora 'Hang Baishao'. Sun et al. (2022) conducted metabolomic and high-throughput sequencing analyses on soils from four major Paeonia lactiflora-producing regions in China (Pan'an in Zhejiang, Bozhou in Anhui, Zhongjiang in Sichuan, and Heze in Shandong). Their findings revealed that the rhizosphere microbial community and soil metabolites significantly influence the synthesis of secondary metabolites in Paeonia lactiflora roots, such as paeoniflorin. It is
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