Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>

<i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i> (<i>AMM</i>) is a widely used medicinal plant in China, primarily cultivated in the northern regions; however, the selection and breeding of superior varieties remains underdeveloped. To scientifically assess...

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Main Authors: Yaqi Liu, Xiu Wang, Mingxin Zhang, Fuxin Li, Yaoyao Wang, Yu Feng, Haitao Yu, Yang Gu, Jiushi Liu, Weiwei Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/317
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author Yaqi Liu
Xiu Wang
Mingxin Zhang
Fuxin Li
Yaoyao Wang
Yu Feng
Haitao Yu
Yang Gu
Jiushi Liu
Weiwei Gao
author_facet Yaqi Liu
Xiu Wang
Mingxin Zhang
Fuxin Li
Yaoyao Wang
Yu Feng
Haitao Yu
Yang Gu
Jiushi Liu
Weiwei Gao
author_sort Yaqi Liu
collection DOAJ
description <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i> (<i>AMM</i>) is a widely used medicinal plant in China, primarily cultivated in the northern regions; however, the selection and breeding of superior varieties remains underdeveloped. To scientifically assess the germplasm resources of <i>AMM</i> and facilitate its breeding, this study collected 33 germplasm samples from five provinces and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of their botanical traits, agronomic traits, quality traits, and powdery mildew resistance. The results indicated that, among the 18 botanical and agronomic traits, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (<i>H</i>′) for quantitative traits was higher than that for qualitative traits, with the coefficient of variation ranging from 6.82% to 34.14%. The characterization of five flavonoids and eight saponins based on the established UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technique revealed that 13 compounds showed significant abundance variations across germplasms. Correlation analysis revealed that plants with robust above-ground growth usually have higher yields. Moreover, the number of compound leaflets was positively correlated with flavonoid content in the roots, whereas germplasms with smaller above-ground biomass and thinner roots exhibited higher saponin content. Based on the comprehensive scores (F-value), the top three germplasms were An-31, An-26, and An-28, which may serve as promising breeding materials. Cluster analysis grouped the 33 germplasms into five categories, including high-content and high-yield groups. Five germplasms exhibiting strong disease resistance were identified, with An-26 demonstrating the best performance in yield, quality, and resistance. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between powdery mildew resistance and flavonoid content in roots. This study will provide a foundation for the <i>AMM</i> breeding and selection.
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series Horticulturae
spelling doaj-art-bddc10afa72048bea69fe0fc72c7b9e02025-08-20T03:43:31ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-03-0111331710.3390/horticulturae11030317Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>Yaqi Liu0Xiu Wang1Mingxin Zhang2Fuxin Li3Yaoyao Wang4Yu Feng5Haitao Yu6Yang Gu7Jiushi Liu8Weiwei Gao9Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInner Mongolia Shengqitang Ecological Pharmaceutical Plant Co., Ltd., Beijing 100011, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China<i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i> (<i>AMM</i>) is a widely used medicinal plant in China, primarily cultivated in the northern regions; however, the selection and breeding of superior varieties remains underdeveloped. To scientifically assess the germplasm resources of <i>AMM</i> and facilitate its breeding, this study collected 33 germplasm samples from five provinces and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of their botanical traits, agronomic traits, quality traits, and powdery mildew resistance. The results indicated that, among the 18 botanical and agronomic traits, the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (<i>H</i>′) for quantitative traits was higher than that for qualitative traits, with the coefficient of variation ranging from 6.82% to 34.14%. The characterization of five flavonoids and eight saponins based on the established UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technique revealed that 13 compounds showed significant abundance variations across germplasms. Correlation analysis revealed that plants with robust above-ground growth usually have higher yields. Moreover, the number of compound leaflets was positively correlated with flavonoid content in the roots, whereas germplasms with smaller above-ground biomass and thinner roots exhibited higher saponin content. Based on the comprehensive scores (F-value), the top three germplasms were An-31, An-26, and An-28, which may serve as promising breeding materials. Cluster analysis grouped the 33 germplasms into five categories, including high-content and high-yield groups. Five germplasms exhibiting strong disease resistance were identified, with An-26 demonstrating the best performance in yield, quality, and resistance. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between powdery mildew resistance and flavonoid content in roots. This study will provide a foundation for the <i>AMM</i> breeding and selection.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/317<i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>germplasm assessmentbotanical traitsagronomic traitsbioactive compoundspowdery mildew resistance
spellingShingle Yaqi Liu
Xiu Wang
Mingxin Zhang
Fuxin Li
Yaoyao Wang
Yu Feng
Haitao Yu
Yang Gu
Jiushi Liu
Weiwei Gao
Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
Horticulturae
<i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
germplasm assessment
botanical traits
agronomic traits
bioactive compounds
powdery mildew resistance
title Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
title_full Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
title_fullStr Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
title_short Integrated Assessment of Phenotypic Traits and Bioactive Compounds in <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
title_sort integrated assessment of phenotypic traits and bioactive compounds in i astragalus membranaceus i var i mongholicus i
topic <i>Astragalus membranaceus</i> var. <i>mongholicus</i>
germplasm assessment
botanical traits
agronomic traits
bioactive compounds
powdery mildew resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/317
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