OBJECTIVETo study the accumulation of active ingredients, the absorption and transformation of N, P and K in Anemarrhena asphodeloides and provide basis for determination of the harvest time and fertilizing.

METHODSamples were collected in different phrases and the weight of dry matter, the content of N, P and K of different organs and the content of sarsasapogenin were determined.

RESULTAbsorption of N, P and K started by the root and rhizoma after July. At the end of August, the N and K of the aerial part transfered largely into rhizome. The content of sarsasapogenin in rhizome was the highest in early spring.

CONCLUSIONAdditional fertilizer is helpful to increase the yield in July of the second year after the transplantation. The quality is the best when harvest in early spring.