Trade-off between growth, nutrient absorption and medicinal quality of Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai under different Chinese fir-based agroforestry systems

Introduction Sarcandra glabra (Thunb.) Nakai- Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. based agroforestry systems achieved high understory space utilization rate and economic values in southern China and more subtropical areas. Methods To better understand the soil physio-chemical properties and nutrients/chemical components of S. glabra under pure and mixed C. lanceolata forests, the growth status, soil properties and some specific components (flavonoids and phenolic acids) of S. glabra were determined under pure C. lanceolata forest (CS system), C. lanceolata-Illicium verum Hook. f. mixed forest (CIS system) and C. lanceolata-Quercus griffithii Hook. f. & Thomson ex Miq. mixed forest (CQS system). Results S. glabra under CQS system had the best growth status, while it showed lower growth and nutrient status under CIS system. Nutrient accumulation of leaves was dominant among organs, C and K accumulated more in CIS and CQS than CS system, while N and P were opposite. As for medicinal properties, S. glabra in CIS system had the highest total flavonoid and chlorogenic acid contents, while isofraxidin and rosmarinic acid contents reached the maxima in CQS system. Non-rhizosphere soil under CIS system had higher moisture-holding capacity and less porosity than the other two systems, CQS and CIS systems had higher medicinal value of S. glabra seedlings and C, P content in rhizosphere soil than in non-rhizosphere soil. There were negative correlations between chemical components and most of the plant nutrient contents, while positive correlations existed between different chemical component contents, speculating that CQS systems could be recommended for maximizing yield and some specific phenolic acids, while CIS systems was suitable for flavonoid accumulation. Discussion The yield, nutrient accumulation and medicinal quality of S. glabra under mixed C. lanceolata forest should be balanced by proper intercropping and cultivation methods.

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