OBJECTIVETo study the effect of phosphorus on copper tolerance in Achyranthes bidentata.

METHODA PVC pipe experiment was conducted to study the interactive effects of phosphorus (P) and copper (Cu), on growth, elemental accumulation and chemical constituents of A. bidentata. Two levels of elemental P were applied at 0 (P0) and 100 ( P100) mg x kg(-1) soil with 5 levels of Cu at 0 (Cu0), 100 (Cu100), 200 (Cu200), 200 (Cu400), 200 (Cu600) mg x kg(-1) soil, respectively.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe biomass production between different Cu treatments, phosphorus treatment showed significant differences. The biomass reached the maximum value as the concentration of Cu and P was 100 mg x kg(-1). Low concentration of Cu improved the growth of A. bidentata. The growth was blocked as Cu concentration reached 200 mg x kg(-1) in soil, however the contents of oleanolic acid and ecdysterone in roots of A. bidentata had not influenced by Cu. P could improved the copper tolerance in A. bidentata and increased root yield. The Cu concentration in soil of the cultivation bases must be below 200 mg x kg(-1) in order to produce good quality of medicinal material.