[Effects of slow release-fertilizers on yield, nutrient contents and quality of Coptis chinensis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of four kind of slow-release fertilizers on yield and quality of Coptis chinensis.


METHODS
One to three years C. chinensis was fertilized with slow-release fertilizers twice in April and in September. The yield and nutrient content along with quality of C. chinensis were measured after two years growth.


CONCLUSIONS
All of the slow-release fertilizers increased the yield obviously, and the effect of SRF1 and SRF4 is the most significant. Comparing with control group, the N content in aerial part of 1-2 year-old C. chinensis treated with SRF1 and SRF4 was lower and P and K were higher than that of control group, and the N content in aerial part of 3 year-old C. chinensis treated with SRF1 and SRF4 was higher and P and K were higher than that of control group; The N content in the root of land 3 year-old C. chinensis treated with SRF1 and SRF4 showed no significant difference comparing with control group, and P and K were lower than that of control group, the N and P content in root of 2 year-old C. chinensis treated with SRF1 and SRF4 was higher and K were lower than that of control group. After two years growth berberine content of C. chinensis treated with SRF1, SRF2 and SRF3 were significantly increased, and total alkaloid content of C. chinensis treated with SRF1, SRF3 and SRF4 were significantly increased. We recommend that SRF4 is used as the special fertilizer for 1-year-old C. chinensis, and the SRF1 and SRF4 for 2-year-old C. chinensis, and the SRF1 for 3-year-old C. chinensis.
Chen
Shi-Jiang
SJ
Academy of Chongqing Chinese Traditional Medicine, Chongqing 400065, China. shijiangchen@163.com
Zhang
De-Li
DL
Zhong
Guo-Yue
GY
Cai
Ying-Fan
YF
D039323:Coptis / Q000254:growth & development*; D005308:Fertilizers; D013997:Time Factors
D005308:Fertilizers