Introduction: Prolonged monoculture cultivation of Paris polyphylla has been linked to challenges such as disruption of rhizosphere soil microbial balance and deterioration in crop quality. Intercropping has emerged as a viable strategy to address these issues. Methods: In the present study, monoculture of P. polyphylla (PP) served as the control, while two intercropping systems were implemented: P. polyphylla with Polygonatum cyrtonema (PPPC) and P. polyphylla with Ganoderma lucidum (PPG). The objective was to evaluate the P. polyphylla quality, soil physicochemical properties, and the structure of the microbial community. Results: Findings revealed that the PPG intercropping system significantly increased available potassium levels by 50.28% and enhanced the abundance of Trichoderma by 3,022% via the G. lucidum network. These alterations were associated with improvements in P. polyphylla yield (51.30%), polyphyllin VII content (34.16%), and total polyphyllin content (30.59%). Conversely, the PPPC system promoted the enrichment of Cupriavidus and nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Hyphomicrobiales , leading to a 26.78% rise in available phosphorus and a 20.00% increase in polyphyllin II content in P. polyphylla . Both intercropping approaches markedly elevated the abundance of Basidiomycota, with the PPPC system further enriching functional microbial taxa including Glomeromycota and Saitozyma . Discussion: Collectively, these results demonstrate that intercropping P. polyphylla with either P. cyrtonema (PPPC) or G. lucidum (PPG) enhances soil physicochemical attributes, optimizes the composition of rhizosphere microbial communities, and positively influences the accumulation and yield of bioactive compounds.

Mesona chinensis Benth is a significant botanical resource utilized for both medicinal and dietary purposes, and the Xiaoye variety (XY) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity among the varieties. Despite its importance, metabolic information regarding its medicinal and nutritional properties remains sparse. This study examined the secondary metabolites of four M. chinensis Benth varieties using UHPLC-MS/MS and identified 102, 105, and 286 metabolites exhibiting differential accumulation in the XY variety compared to the Taiwan variety (TW), Minxuan variety (MX), and Zengcheng variety (ZC), respectively, among the 1287 metabolites identified. These metabolites are predominantly involved in secondary metabolic pathways such as “Tropane, Piperidine, and Pyridine Alkaloid Biosynthesis” and “Flavone and Flavonol Biosynthesis”. In addition, we identified the ten most significant differential metabolites that influence antioxidant activity, with flavonoids recognized as the primary contributors to the variation in antioxidant activities. In this study, we have outlined the metabolic landscape of M. chinensis Benth. These findings may aid in elucidating the mechanism behind the antioxidant activity of XY, which provides valuable insights for breeding, quality assurance, and product innovation related to M. chinensis Benth.

Zengcheng (ZC), a superior cultivar of Mesona chinensis Benth, is distinguished by its unique sensory attributes and exceptional phytochemical quality, rendering it the cultivar of choice for commercial production. In this investigation, we employed comprehensive targeted metabolomics to systematically delineate the volatile metabolome of ZC in comparison to three relevant counterparts grown under uniform field conditions and harvested at the same developmental stage. Our primary objectives were to (i) quantitatively characterize the metabolomic divergence between ZC and the comparative cultivars, and (ii) elucidate the molecular basis underlying ZC’s characteristic flavor signature. Through high-throughput gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, a total of 1767 volatile metabolites were confidently annotated, with terpenoids and esters identified as the predominant chemical classes. Notably, ZC exhibited significantly elevated levels of terpenoids, esters, and aldehydes, which collectively conferred an intensified green, sweet, herbal, and fruity aroma. Key discriminatory metabolites included geranyl formate and geranic acid (imparting a pronounced green note), which were identified as pivotal determinants of ZC’s unique flavor profile. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the biochemical pathways governing flavor development in M. chinensis Benth and establish a robust foundation for precision-breeding strategies aimed at enhancing sensory quality and developing elite cultivars.