The Influence of Climate and Soil on Chlorogenic Acid Content in Lonicera japonica Thunb. from Different Regions in China

Objective Lonicera japonica primarily originates from artificial cultivation; however, varying environmental conditions in different production areas lead to inconsistencies in the quality of the medicinal materials. Consequently, it is essential to identify the key factors influencing the quality of Lonicera japonica to enhance its cultivation standards. This study compares the chlorogenic acid content of Lonicera japonica from various production areas, explores the climate and soil factors that influence chlorogenic acid accumulation, and provides a basis for optimizing artificial planting methods and quality control of Lonicera japonica . Methods We collected Lonicera japonica samples from three origins: Henan, Hebei, and Shandong, determined the chlorogenic acid content using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and analyzed the variations in samples from different origins. We tested the soil physicochemical properties according to national standards, detected the soil microbial community composition using 16S amplicon sequencing technology, and analyzed the climatic and soil factors affecting chlorogenic acid accumulation. Results Chlorogenic acid content was highest in the Hebei Lonicera japonica samples. The annual mean temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and wind speed negatively correlate with chlorogenic acid content. In contrast, the annual sunshine duration positively correlates with chlorogenic acid content. Rhizosphere samples from Shandong have higher total nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon content than those from Henan and Hebei. Furthermore, Henan soils exhibit slightly higher nitrate nitrogen content and slightly lower nitrite content, while Hebei soils have higher ammonium nitrogen concentration. The weakly acidic pH value was positively correlated with chlorogenic acid content. The rhizosphere soil of Lonicera japonica in Shandong exhibited the highest bacterial abundance, and the rhizosphere soil of Lonicera japonica from Henan yielded the highest number of ASVs. Strains 27F-1492R, KF-JG30-B3, Pla4_lineage, Bacillus , and bacteriap25 were highly abundant in rhizosphere soil samples from Henan. Ohtaekwangia , Caulobacter , and Larkinella were abundant in the Shandong rhizosphere samples. The abundances of Subgroup_10, Bryobacter , and Uncultured were negatively correlated with the chlorogenic acid content, whereas Terrimonas showed positive correlations. Conclusion Lonicera japonica from the Hebei Province had the highest chlorogenic acid content. Environmental factors affect the quality of Lonicera japonica. In artificial cultivation, the quality of Lonicera japonica can be enhanced by controlling the temperature, soil nitrogen content, and the quantity of beneficial bacteria.