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Bupleurum chinense is a genuine medicinal material in Shanxi Province, and planting B. chinense is one of the main sources for local farmers to increase their income. In B. chinense cultivation, wheat-B. chinense, maize-B. chinense and soybean-B. chinense are commonly used as multiple cropping patterns. In the present study, we studied the effects of three different multiple cropping patterns on N, P and K levels of soil, photosynthetic parameters, agronomic characteristics, saikosaponin A, C and D contents, yield and economic benefits of B. chinense. The results showed that the soybean-B. chinense multiple cropping pattern was beneficial to the enrichment of N in the soil, thus promoting photosynthetic parameters, growth, saikosaponin accumulation, yield and economic benefits of B. chinense. It is suggested that soybean-B. chinense multiple cropping was an appropriate multiple cropping pattern for local cultivation of B. chinense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus are cultivated in large parts of Shanxi province in China for their high medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine, and the quality of the medicinal materials is a problem worthy of attention. Traditional strategies to increase quality include use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides, but these may have negative impact on the quality of soil and medicinal materials. In this study, the potential of promoting the quality of the medicinal materials was investigated after inoculating A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus with mycorrhizal fungus (Funneliformis mosseae). The photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and intercellular CO2 concentration) and main active principle contents (astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-glucoside, astragalus polysaccharide and trace element Se) were determined in inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Results showed that there was a positive impact on photosynthetic process and the accumulation of secondary metabolites of the plants inoculated with F. mosseae. Compared with control plants, the photosynthetic parameters of Astragalus plants inoculated with F. mosseae were higher, more active substances (astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-glucoside, astragalus polysaccharide and Se) were found in the roots of inoculated plants. F. mosseae had similar promoting effects on both A. membranaceus and A. membranaceus var. mongholicus. The symbiosis of F. mosseae and Astragalus plant would be of benefit to improve the quality of the medicinal materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]