2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Codonopsis root is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used as a mild version of ginseng. Many species are present in the codonopsis genus, but Chinese Pharmacopeia only allowed three species to be claimed as TCM: Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf, Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. Var. Modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen and Codonopsis tangshen Olive. In 2017, and 2018, we examined the feasibility to grow these three codonopsis species in Trout Lake Farm (TLF), an Amway owned organic farm located in central Washington State. We sourced one variety for each species from China: Baidang (Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf), Wendang (Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. Var. Modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen) and Bandang (Codonopsis tangshen Olive). Seeds were directly sown in the field in May 2017 and managed with typical Washington State crop management practices. Roots of each variety were harvested half at the end of growing season of 2017 and 2018, respectively. Results indicated that root production and total polysaccharide contents were similar among the three tested varieties. Root polysaccharide contents from TLF were higher than those purchased from commercial available product. We also investigated Baidang root production and polysaccharide content in response to organic nitrogen fertilizer rates in 2017 and 2018. In this study, Baidang seeds were germinated in 231-cell trays filled with potting mix, grown in the greenhouse for 2 months and transplanted into the field. Results indicated that N fertilizer increased Baidang root production and polysaccharide content. The optimum fertilizer rate for Baidang root production was 24.2 g N M-2 which equivalent to 216 lbs. N Ac-1. The optimum fertilizer rate for polysaccharide content was 16.1 g N M-2 which is equivalent to 144 lbs. N Ac-1. Results suggested Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf has the potential to be grown in USA.

Key words: Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf, Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. Var. Modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen, Codonopsis tangshen Olive, Traditional Chinese Medicine, root production, total polysaccharide content