丹参为异交植物，存在明显的遗传多样性，导致药材存在显著的品质差异。传统“辨状论质”方法以特定形态特征作为丹参品质评判的标准，然而在现代中药质量标准的评价体系下，这些传统经验是否科学、客观、准确；其内在机制又是什么，都值得进一步明确。前期，申请者及课题组以活性成分合成机制为切入点，进行丹参品质的形成机制及调控研究。在此基础上，本项目拟应用植物表型组研究策略，对丹参根系性状的特征进行数字化采集，通过高通量数据分析手段解析全面丹参根系形态、结构特征的分布规律、性状间的关联性。然后，整合代谢组分析，探讨形态性状与丹参有效成分积累的关联性，筛选与品质相关的指标性关键性状。最后通过转录组分析解析关键特征形成的遗传机制，筛选关键基因及调控因子。通过本研究，有助于深入了解丹参的品质内涵及遗传机制，明确优质丹参的关键特征，为丹参的遗传育种、标准化种植、品质鉴定等方面提供理论依据。

Salvia miltiorrhiza is an outcrossing plant species with high genetic polymorphism, resulting in the unstable quality of this medicinal material. According to the traditional theory of ‘assessing quality by distinguishing features’, some certain morphological traits of S. miltiorrhiza roots show significant correlation with its quality. Explanation of such correlations and genetic mechanism are of great importance for breeding, cultivation, and quality control of S. miltiorrhiza. So far, there is no relevant report about relationship between morphological traits and quality of medicinal plant. Therefore, this project is intended to analysis the distribution and correlation of morphological characters of S. miltiorrhiza roots employing deep phenotyping and high-throughput analysis strategy. Following, correlation of morphological traits and quality of S. miltiorrhiza will be investigated using integration of metabolic and deep phenotyping analysis. The key morphological traits which indicate good quality of S. miltiorrhiza will be screened. Finally, transcriptional analysis will be carried out to exploring the genetic mechanism of these critical features using RNA-seq. Key genes essential for catalytic regulation processes will be also predicted and validated. Through this study will lead to better understanding for the formation of quality of S. miltiorrhiza, which will provide good theoretical basis for genetic breeding, standardized cultivation, and quality identification of S. miltiorrhiza.