China completes the first quantitative assessment of the reserves of Cordyceps sinensis

"This is the first time that China has conducted a systematic and quantitative assessment of the reserves of Cordyceps sinensis. This survey has a comprehensive grasp of the development, utilization and protection and management of Cordyceps sinensis resources, which has great significance in promoting the protection and utilization of Cordyceps resources and safeguarding people's livelihood. In the future, we will be protecting living things. Under the premise of diversity and ecological environment, scientific use of rare resources.” said Professor Li Yuling, a researcher at the Cordyceps Research Office, Grassland Research Institute, Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Qinghai University.

The output of Chinese Cordyceps accounts for 98% of the world's output, while Qinghai Cordyceps accounts for more than 60% of China's output. It is a well-deserved main producing area of ​​Cordyceps in the world and an important source of income for farmers and herdsmen in Cordyceps production areas in Qinghai Province. The natural resources of Cordyceps are very precious, so it is also called "soft gold". This year, the Qinghai Provincial Forestry and Grass Bureau sought the Cordyceps survey and monitoring project from the Central Forestry Reform and Development Fund, and commissioned the Qinghai Provincial Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences to conduct a comprehensive survey of Cordyceps resources in the province.

According to reports, based on key factors such as the distribution area of ​​the Cordyceps production area, the population of host Hepialus larvae, and the infestation rate of Cordyceps fungus under natural conditions, the investigation team estimated that the amount of Cordyceps sinensis in Qinghai Province was 2.08-6.399 million roots/year. "Under the common premise of distribution area and forming factors, Qinghai Cordyceps has the most abundant reserves in China at present." Li Yuling said. At the same time, the Qinghai Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences combined ecology and molecular biology to uate the quality of Cordyceps sinensis in Qinghai from the perspective of host insects for the first time, providing scientific basis and support for the origin traceability and brand protection of Cordyceps sinensis in Qinghai Province.

It is reported that the investigation lasted three months and involved Qilian County of Qinghai Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Hualong County of Haidong City, Henan Mongolian Autonomous County of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Maqin County, Dari County, Hainan Tibetans of Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Xinghai County of the Autonomous Prefecture, Yushu City, and Zaduo County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, including 8 Cordyceps producing regions and counties (cities). A comprehensive and systematic investigation of the distribution area, reserves, habitat and market resource utilization and protection management of Cordyceps in the above-mentioned areas was conducted. More than 150 samples of Cordyceps and host insects, more than 50 soil samples, and more than 200 grass samples were collected. Analyze 380 valid data.

Through investigation and analysis, it is found that Cordyceps sinensis is distributed in 8 cities (prefectures), 27 counties (cities/districts), and 152 towns (towns) in Qinghai Province, and its distribution area accounts for approximately 11.74% of the province's natural grassland area. Among them, Yushu Prefecture and Guoluo Prefecture are the main producing areas of Cordyceps sinensis in Qinghai Province, accounting for about 75.26% of the distribution area of ​​Cordyceps sinensis in Qinghai Province.