Comparison On Botanical Characteristics And Yields In Different Types Of Salvia Miltiorrhiza

In the two consecutive years from 2008 to 2009, four types of Salvia were planted in Shanyang County, Shanxi Province. The research included two parts: indoors and fields. Botanical characteristics, yields and active ingredients were observed. The difference of the botanical characteristics at different growth stages and the accumulation and change law of active ingredient were studied. Salvia with good agronomic characters were selected from the four types of Salvia. Plastic film test, control of reproductive growth and other tests were used to study the key technologies to improve production and active ingredients. The study provide theoretical basis and technical support for efficient cultivation and new breeding of Salvia.1. Sowing time of Salvia was in early July,and transplanting time was in late October that year. Salvia entered turning green stage in late March in the following year, and Salvia started the first nutritional growth period, seedlings growing rapidly. Salvia entered reproduction growth stage in April. In August leaves began to wilt, and Salvia entered the second nutritional growth, root growing rapidly.It was observed that type I and type II had earlier turning green stage, earlier wilt stage, and reproduction growth stage than type III and type IV.2. Active ingredients of Salvia mainly exist in roots. Stems, leaves and flowers contain Low active ingredients. Active ingredients content increased with root system growth at the first nutritional growth period.With the arrival of the second phase of nutritional growth, active ingredients gradually declined at this stage with roots weight increasing and diameter enlarging rapidly. Active ingredients content of roots decreased slowly with the root system growing slowly in October to November.3. The height of type I was 62.63 cm, which was the highest in the four types of Salvia.while type II was the lowest with 47.69 cm. The diameter of type III diameter was 1.07cm, which was the biggest.while type II was the smallest with 0.46cm. The comparison of fresh and dry weight of ground part was follow: type I> typeII> type III> type IV.4. Type III was the maximum in all root characteristics (root diameter, root length, root number, root fresh and dry weight) of the four types of Salvia. Next was type IV and type I, and type II was the last. The comparison of root yield was follow: type III > typeIV> typeI I > type I. The root yield was 8995.1kg.hm-2, 7015.57kg.hm-2, and 5628.30kg.hm-2, and 8995.14kg.hm-2 respectively.5. Accumulation of active ingredients in roots of four types Salvia showed increasing or declining irregularly during the whole growing season. The content of tanshinone IIA was 0.4151% and 0.4437% respectively in type I and II when it reached the highest value in July. While type III and type IV got to 0.5043% and 0.5739% respectively in September. The content of Dan acid B presented a trend of rising during May to August, and began to decrease slowly from September. The content of type I, type II and tpye III was 6.3472%, 7.8734%, and 9.2408% respectively, which reached the highest value in August. Type IV was 7.3450%, which reached the highest value in July. The content of total tanshinone was 0.8233% and 0.8926% respectively in type I and II when it reached the highest value in August. While type III and type IV got to 0.9916% and 1.3217% respectively in July. Although the content presented a trend of decreasing at harvest stage, they still meet the requirements of Pharmacopoeia.6. After reviving the plastic film was completely removaled. Salvia grew luxuriantly, plant type was stocky, and root weight and yield was the highest. The comparison of root yield was follows: treatmentB (complete removal) >treatmentA (partly removal)>treatmentC (no removal). The yield was 10015.5kg.hm-2, 7240.5kg.hm-2, and 3663kg.hm-2 respectively.7. Salvia plants grow stocky and strong when flower buds were removaled in bud period. Salvia root yield reached the highest value 11667kg/hm2 at harvest, which increased 33.41%. The experiment proved that excising flower bud could improve yield and quality of Salvia.