Investigation and germplasm evaluation on wild Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Berit. resources in Yunnan

【Objective】 The objective was to investigate the distribution of wild Pinellia ternata(Thunb.) Berit. in Yunnan, evaluate the collected wild P. ternata germplasms, and to provide theoretical basis for the breeding of varieties of P. ternata and for the protection and sustainable utilization of wild P. ternata resources.【Method】 The distribution and habitat conditions of wild P. ternata in Yunnan were investigated by means of literature review, field investigation and sample survey. Meanwhile, agronomic characteristics and guanosine content of wild P. ternata from different collected points were measured and analyzed, and the quality of germplasm resources was evaluated.【Result】 Wild P. ternata in Yunnan was mainly distributed in the northeastern and southeastern areas of Yunnan, including Daguan, Maguan, Qiubei, Jianshui, Yanshan, Shizong, Xuanwei, Kaiyuan, Xundian, Ludian and Huize. P. ternata grew mostly within grasses or cultivated crops(growing as weeds). It was commonly found in grassy slopes, wastelands, corn fields, tobacco fields, stone cracks, fields or under sparse forests. Most of them distributed in corn land or tobacco land. Wild P. ternata resources were distributed in the altitude range of 814-2096 m, but concentrated in the altitude range of 1562-2096 m; the average annual temperature in the collection area was 12.0-19.9 ℃, and the annual precipitation was 815.0-1600.0 mm, but mainly concentrated in areas where the precipitation was greater than 900.0 mm. In Xuanwei, Xundian, Qiubei and Shizong, the petiole length of P. ternata was larger, with the values of 15.2-27.1 cm. Mesenchymal leaf length were longer in Shizong, Xundian and Maguan, with the values of 5.4-11.9 cm. There was not significant difference in the mesenchymal leaf width of P. ternata across Yunnan (P>0.05, the same below). Tubers were 1.0-2.5 g, tubers in Daguan, Maguan, Yanshan and Shizong were heavier. The number of leaves was 2.4-2.9, and that in Huize was fewest. The number of buds was 0.9-1.7, that in Shizong County was the greatest. Tuber diameter was 10.7-16.5 cm, those in Yanshan and Shizong were large. The guanosine content from different collection areas ranged from 0.00420% to 0.04250%. Guanosine content was relatively high in Xundian, Shizong and Xuanwei, while the lowest guanosine content was low in Ludian and Qiubei.【Conclusion】 In general, wild P. ternata prefer to inhabit in a warm, moist and shady ecological environment, and they are mainly distributed in the northeastern and southeastern areas in Yunnan. Most of wild P. ternata are distributed in habitats at altitudes of 1500- 2100 m, with precipitation above 900.0 mm and average annual temperature of around 15.0 ℃. According to the analysis of collected resources of wild P. ternata, Shizong, Yanshan and its surrounding similar ecological zones are believed to be suited for the growth of P. ternata and the guanosine accumulation.