Objective: To reveal the variation content of polysaccharides in cultivated Dendrobium candidum and the relationship between germplasms, harvesting and polysaccharides content for the breeding of quality of D. candidium.
Method: The morphological characteristics were recorded when 33 samples were collected. The content of polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulphuric acid method.
Result: The average content of polysaccharides in 2-year-old samples was 34.47% (25.63%-41.65%). The polysaccharides content of samples were significantly different among germplasms and physiological ages.
Conclusion: The polysaccharides content of cultivated D. candidum is higher than that of wild materials. Germplasms and physiological age impact on the polysaccharides content significantly. D. candidum breeding and the control of harvesting can increase polysaccharides content.