Grey correlation for main climatic factors and quality of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge)
丹参品质与主导气候因子的灰色关联度分析

Climatic factors are principal for Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge cultivation in terms of growth and activity of pharmacological compounds. This study was aimed at finding the leading climatic factors affecting Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge production. Growth and active compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge in 6 different areas were investigated and the grey correlation degrees with climatic factors were calculated. Our results have shown that: the compound concentrations of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge in 6 different areas have significant differences although all of them could meet the requirements of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The leading climatic factors that affected growth were annual sunshine hours and rainfall. Meanwhile, the major climatic factors that influenced Danshensu concentration were frost free periods and annual highest temperature; the major climatic factors that influenced tanshinon IIA concentration were July average temperature, annual average temperature and annual highest temperature; Annual sunshine hours and frost free periods were leading factors for salvianolic acid B. This research could provide theoretical basis for the production of high quality Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, also for optimizing herb production and regulating herb quality.