Open Access

ARTICLE

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Mineral Profile of Three Wild Tulips in China

Yue Ma^1,2, Douwen Qin^1,2, Weiqiang Liu^1,2, Xiuting Ju^1,2,*

1 College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
2 Key Laboratory of Qinghai Province for Landscape Plants Research, Xining, 810016, China

* Corresponding Author: Xiuting Ju. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Ethnobotany: Value and Conservation)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(11), 3527-3538. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.069643

Received 27 June 2025; Accepted 13 October 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

Comprehensive evaluation based on mineral element content is one of the effective methods for the exploration and utilization of wild tulip germplasm resources. In this study, Tulipa iliensis, Tulipa tianschanica and Tulipa heterophylla distributed in China were used as the research objects. The contents of 10 mineral elements (N, K, P, S, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn) in roots, bulbs and leaves were determined, and the three wild tulips were comprehensively evaluated by correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed distinct variations in mineral element content among different organs of T. iliensis, T. tianschanica and T. heterophylla, with T. heterophylla exhibiting significantly higher mineral content across all organs compared to the other two wild tulips. Correlation analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) inter-element relationships in T. iliensis, T. tianschanica and T. heterophylla, with positive correlations between N and P, Ca and Zn in roots, P and Mg, P and Cu, Mg and Cu in bulbs, K and Mg, K and Fe, Zn and Mn, Mg and Fe in leaves, alongside a negative S and Fe correlation in leaves. The comprehensive evaluation identified N, S, Ca, and Zn as representative elements for assessing the three wild tulips, with their abundance ranking as follows: T. heterophylla > T. iliensis > T. tianschanica. The results of cluster analysis showed that T. heterophylla was clustered into one category in the roots because of the rich content of mineral elements. T. iliensis and T. tianschanica were clustered into one category in the bulbs because the accumulation of S element was higher than T. heterophylla. T. iliensis and T. heterophylla were clustered into one category in the leaves because of the rich content of mineral elements. The distribution of diverse mineral elements enables wild tulip germplasm resources to adapt to varied natural habitats, playing a decisive role in their response to specific environmental stresses. Studying mineral elements is an important way to gain an in-depth understanding of tulip germplasm resources. The results are of practical significance for conserving wild tulip resources and achieving sustainable utilization.

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Keywords

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