Bioscience Evidence 2026, Vol.16, No.4, 277-290 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 281 3.3 Light conditions Light provides the energy required for photosynthesis in the aerial parts of A. macrocephala. The photosynthetic products are then transported to the underground organs, where they support rhizome enlargement and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The effects of light are not limited to plant height, leaf number, and leaf color. Light can also influence the allocation of assimilates between shoots and roots, thereby affecting rhizome biomass and the accumulation of functional compounds. Hwang et al. (2022) compared the effects of several artificial light sources on plant growth, physiological characteristics, and biological activity in A. macrocephala. Different light treatments produced significant differences in plant height, leaf development, chlorophyll content, and biological activity of rhizome extracts (Figure 2). Plants grown under microwave electrodeless lamps showed better overall growth and higher chlorophyll levels. Rhizome extracts from plants exposed to red light exhibited stronger DPPH radical-scavenging activity, while total phenolic and total flavonoid contents varied among the other light treatments. These results suggest that light quality influences both plant growth and bioactive compound accumulation. The treatment that promotes the most vigorous shoot growth does not necessarily produce the highest quality rhizomes. Figure 2 Growth characteristics (a) and chlorophyll contents (b) of A. macrocephala under different light sources. Values represent mean of data obtained from three independent experiments (p<0.05). Significance was indicated with different letters according to statistical analysis (Adopted from Hwang et al., 2022) 3.4 Regional differences Even when the same species is cultivated, medicinal materials from different production regions often differ in appearance, elemental composition, stable isotope signatures, and chemical constituents. Therefore, the geographical characteristics of A. macrocephala are not determined by a single factor such as temperature, soil nutrients, or altitude. Instead, they result from the long-term interaction of multiple environmental factors. Hai et al. (2023) collected 281 A. macrocephala samples from 10 production regions in China and analyzed their stable isotopes and elemental composition using chemometric methods. Significant regional differences were found in δ²H, δ¹⁸O, Mg, Ca, and several rare earth elements. Variables such as Ca, K, Mg, and Na made major contributions to geographical discrimination. The classification model accurately distinguished samples from multiple production regions, with particularly high classification accuracy for several locations. These findings indicate that regional differences in water sources, soil parent materials, and mineral environments leave measurable signatures in A. macrocephalaand contribute to its geographical characteristics. 4 Effects of Cultivation Practices on Yield and Bioactive Compound Accumulation in Atractylodes macrocephala 4.1 Fertilization management Insufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium limit plant growth, whereas excessive fertilization may cause excessive shoot growth, delayed rhizome maturation, soil acidification, and salt accumulation. For medicinal plants, fertilization should not be evaluated by yield alone. The contents of bioactive compounds, rhizome commercial quality, and soil health should also be considered.
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