Environmental factors affecting growth and development of Banlangen (Radix Isatidis) in China

Banlangen (Radix Isatidis) is an herbal medicine, and grows in various parts of China. It can be classified into North Radix Isatidis and South Radix Isatidis. With the rising demand of users all over the world, more and more popularly used herbal plants are now grown in agricultural fields. The natural force of supply and demand has encouraged the cultivation of Banlangen in China. However, the cultivation of Banlangen at a large scale does not always result in high yield and good quality, because many agronomic factors have an influence on the growth of Banlangen, such as variety, soil properties, climate and other environmental factors. This paper provides a brief review on the progresses of recent research regarding agronomic factors that affect the growth and quality of Banlangen in China and elsewhere.