Influence of the rhizosphere soils on essential elements of Ephedra sinica herbaceous stems

Mineral elements serve as important components of medicinal herbs not only owing to their healing properties but also their nutritional supplement functions. In this study, 15 essential element contents of wild Ephedra sinica and its rhizosphere soil were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Influences of rhizosphere soil on these elements in plants were evaluated. Results showed that N, K, Cl, Sr, Na, Mn, B, Cu, and Mo contents in plants were all directly affected by one or more factors, including pH value, sand, silt, and organic matter contents. Herbaceous stems of E. sinica contained high contents of N, K, S, and Ca and could accumulate N, S, P, Cl, Sr, and Mg from soil with mean enrichment coefficients of 42.88, 34.37, 7.81, 4.38, 2.16, and 1.56, respectively. N, K, Ca, Sr, Mn, Zn, and Cu contents in the herbs were positively correlated with those in soil. Additionally, element prediction models were established to infer essential element contents of the herbaceous stems of E. sinica. This study provides scientific basis for mineral element regulation of E. sinica by adjusting soil fertility levels.