[Research on the fourth generation of Saposhnikovia divaricata by XRF]

To cultivate oriented new varieties, Saposhnikovia divaricata seeds were carried by Shenzhou "3" satellite and filtered when they were being brought back. In the present paper, X-ray fluorescence(XRF) was used to mensurate and analyze the contents of elements of the two samples from the ground group and the 4th generation of space Saposhnikovia divaricata (space group) that have advantages in branches and leaves and yields. The contents of the main mineral elements in the two samples are the same basically. But the contents of the elements Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu from the outer group are higher than the ground group. Especially the contents of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu concerning the curative effect in the space group increase 4.39, 1.23, 0.84 and 0.9 times as compared to the ground group. In the space group the contents and proportions of the mineral elements are improved and optimized. XRF method can be used for overall element analysis of and research on Chinese herbal medicines. Space flight breeding is an effective method for the selection of new Saposhnikovia divaricata breed.