Selection results of high-yield and high-quality Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk varieties

Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk, originating from China, was studied for acclimatization by the National Institute of Medicinal Materials from 2018 to 2020. Its productivity and quality were evaluated, showing a total content of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 5-O-methylvisamminoside at 0.65%. Based on the research and selection conducted at the Tam Dao Medicinal Plant Research Station, National Institute of Medicinal Materials, using the mass selection method and quality evaluation of Saposhnikovia divaricata by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV Detection (HPLC-UV), a variety with the following characteristics was selected: Herbaceous perennial plant, height 50–70 cm, with 2–3 pinnately compound leaves, serrated leaf edges, and dark green color. Inflorescences consist of many compound umbels, each having 5–7 smaller umbels, and each small umbel containing 4–9 white flowers. Schizocarps, brown when mature, oval-shaped, with a thousand-seed weight of approximately 5.83 g. The medicinal part is the taproot, cylindrical in shape, averaging 23.8 cm in length, with a yellow-brown color. This variety was evaluated for resistance to soft rot disease, with a severity level of 5 points (CIP scale), average yield 966.7 kg/ha. The total content of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 5-Omethylvisamminoside reached 1.0%.