OBJECTIVETo study the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to Pinellia ternata leaf index, propagation coefficient, tuber yield and chemical composition.

METHODThe Pinellia ternata leaf length, width, plant height and leafstalk diameter were measured during growing time till P. ternata loded. The leaf index was calculated and the tuber yield were measured after harvest. The contents of guanosine was determined by HPLC method, and the alkaloid contents were determined by spectrophotometric method.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONInoculated AM fungi could increase P. ternata propagation coefficient and the yield of tuber. Inoculated AM fungi could increase P. ternata leaf index, made leaf tends to be more like bamboo leaf type. Inoculated AM fungi could delayed P. ternata lodging time; G. mosseae + G. intraradices treatment (early inolulation time) proved better influence on increasing fresh weight and dry weight of P. ternata tuber and the propagation coefficient. Inoculated AM fungi could increase guanosine and alkaloid contents of Pinellia ternata tuber, and the contents of guanosine and alkaloid in inoculated treatments were higher than those in cultivated P. ternata from Hezhang; G. mosseae + G. intraradices treatment (later inolulation time) proved good effect on increasing the contents of guanosine and alkaloid.