Optimizing planting depth and propagule characteristics for efficient cultivation of Pinellia ternata

Pinellia ternata, a common medicinal plant in East Asia, holds significant economic and therapeutic values. However, the market industrialization of the P. ternata is retarded due to the lack of a further understanding of its cultivation patterns. Here, we report an efficient cultivation model for P. ternata. This study featured a design with four planting depths (5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm) and five types of propagation materials, forming 20 distinct experimental groups. Each group was replicated three times. This study thoroughly analyzed the specific impacts of two types and five different sizes of propagules, as well as four different planting depths, on the propagation coefficient, agronomic traits, yield, and quality of P. ternata. (1) Tubers outperformed bulbils in propagation coefficient, agronomic traits, yield, and quality, with larger propagules showing better performance than smaller ones. (2) Small-diameter propagules (≤ 1.6 cm) achieved the best propagation coefficient, yield, and quality at a planting depth of 5 cm. (3) Large-diameter propagules (1.6-2.0 cm) showed maximum yield and quality component accumulation at 10 cm. (4) Correlation analysis indicated propagation coefficient, yield, and quality were negatively correlated with planting depth but positively correlated with propagule size. In conclusion, this study provides important theoretical support for the cultivation model of P. ternata and is helpful to guide its industrial production.