Abstract:In order to understand the mechanism of phenotypic variation in Panax notoginseng, the relation between phenotypic variation and climatic factors of 3-year-old P. notoginseng was studied cultivated in Yunnan and Guangxi by using multivariate statistical analysis combined with GIS technology. The results showed that the variation coefficient (CV) of plant stem mass, underground part mass and total mass were high, while that of aerial part ratio and underground part ratio were low. Correlation analysis showed that phenotypic variation was influenced by various climatic factors. The effect of precipitation on phenotypic variation of P. notoginseng was stronger than that of temperature. The range of precipitation seasonality was a key climatic factor for phenotypic variation of stem diameter and leaf area. Underground part mass and total mass of P. notoginseng decreased with increment of mean annual temperature, annual precipitation and precipitation of the driest month, and which increased with increasing of mean monthly temperature range and isothermality. The increment of sunshine duration would decrease of aerial mass ratio of P. notoginseng, and accelerate the accumulation of underground part mass and total mass. Therefore, it was suggested that the variation in morphological traits of P. notoginseng was strong with the changes in climate condition of producing area, which would be adapted to heterogeneous environments.
