Effects of Armillaria species on growth and quantity of active medicinal components of G. elata BL. f. elata tubers along an altitude gradient: Evidence from empirical experiments

Authors：Wang, Chuna-Hua^*; Zeng, Yu-Jie; Hou, Yun-Bo; Zeng, Chun-Han; Wang, Ming; Wang, Ye -Hong

Source：Phytochemistry Letters, 2023, 54: 101-106.

DOI：10.1016/j.phytol.2023.01.016

• Biological species of Armillaria
• Medicinal quality of Tianma
• Gastrodia elata BL
• f
• elata

Gastrodia elata, dry tubers of which are processed into traditional medicine Tianma, is a heterotrophic plant species exclusively depending on the fungal species of Armillaria. To identify whether species of Armillaria impact the yield and medicinal quality of G. elata BL. f. elata, we experimentally tested the effect of eight Armillaria species (identified by sterility test) on the tuber production of G. elata f. elata along an altitude gradient. For the first time, we found that the taxonomic status of Armillaria had a significant effect on the tuber yield. Two species of Armillaria (Chinese Biological Species B and D) could not form an effective symbiosis with G. elata. We also showed that the altitude could affect the water content of the tubers of G. elata. Our results revealed a variable symbiotic relationship among biological species of Armillaria and G. elata f. elata and will be of value in Tianma production in China.