Abstract:

To study soil physical and chemical properties and economic properties of Codonopsis pilosula in main production areas, Codonopsis pilosula and its planting soil were investigated for two consecutive years at 21 sites in Gansu, including Tanchang, Lintao, Weiyuan, Min County, Longxi, Zhang County and Tongwei. The results showed that the main production areas of C. pilosula were in 103°35'—105°26' N, 33°57'—37°58' E, and altitude of 1708.4-2488.6 m. The average content of soil organic matter was 9.25-17.50 g/kg, which was generally low, and the lowest was found in Lintao. The average content of soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen was 19.56-39.96 mg/kg, the content of soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen was extremely low in Longxi. The content of available phosphorus in soil was more than 10 mg/kg, and the average content of available potassium was 80.73-128.40 mg/kg. The soil available potassium content was low to medium in Weiyuan and Min County, and that in other counties were medium to high level. The soil pH was more than 7.5 in all counties, belonging to slightly alkaline and alkaline soil. The Codonopsis pilosula produced in Min County had the highest yield, the longest and thickest root, and the best commercial quality.

Key words: Codonopsis radix, soil, physical and chemical properties, Chinese medicinal materials, economic properties