Effects Of Environmental Factors On The Growth Of Lonicera Japonica Thunb.and The Quality Of Honeysuckle Flower

Most active ingredients of Chinese herbal medicines belong to the secondary metabolites,which are closely related to their ecological environment.Better effects are usually associated with specific geographical conditions in some medicinal plants,which is known as geoherbalism.The environmental factors affecting the quality of herbs include illumination,temperature,CO2 concentration,mineral nutrition and water.Honeysuckle,a well-known heat-clearing and detoxifying herb,is widely cultivated in Shandong,Henan,Hebei,Shanxi,and Ningxia.Its geoherbalism has not been fully illuminated up to now.The honeysuckle samples collected from different producing areas were compared,and the effects of some factors(including light intensity,water supply,and fertilization)on the quality of honeysuckle were evaluated in this study.The results are as follows:(1)Quality comparison of honeysuckles collected from different regionsShandong,Henan and Hebei are the main producing areas of honeysuckle.There were no significant differences in the content of chlorogenic acid among the three regions.The content of galuteolin in Hebei sample was significantly lower than that in Shandong and Henan;and the content of loganin in Henan sample was significantly lower than that in Hebei and Shandong,while the difference between Shandong and Hebei samples did not reach to a significant level.(2)Effects of illumination intensityAbundant illumination was found beneficial for improving the yield and quality of honeysuckle.Under different light intensities,the contents of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin were as follows:CK(full illumination)>65%CK>55%CK>18%CK.The average value of net photosynthetic rate of honeysuckle leaves reduced with the reduction of light intensity.The expressions of phenylalanine ammonialyase,hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate:hydroxycinnamoyl transferase,chalcone synthase,chalcone isomerase in fully extended flower bud also increased along with the increase of light intensity.(3)Effects of water supplyThe contents of protective enzymes,osmotic regulation substances and membrane lipid peroxidation end product increased with the increase of soil moisture content.The content of chlorogenic acid and galuteolin in dried flower bud was the lowest in 75%soil water holding condition,while the content of chlorogenic acid was the highest in drought condition,and the content of galuteolin was the highest in 50%soil water holding.Along with the reduction of soil water holding,the size and yield of the buds reduced.The result showed that enough water supplying is an effective measurement for a higher yield of honeysuckle.(4)Effects of fertilizersFive different fertilizers were applied during the cultivation of honeysuckle.The yield of honeysuckle increased by these fertilizations,and the effects of urea and compound fertilizer were the most significant.The content of chlorogenic acid in honeysuckle was significantly increased by calcium superphosphate and potassium sulfate group.Unfortunately,all fertilizations could decrease galuteolin content in honeysuckle.In conclusion,the quality of honeysuckle collected in Shandong is superior to that from other regions.Abundant illumination and appropriate watering and fertilizing are beneficial for improving the quality and yield of honeysuckle.