PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF RARE EARTH MICRONUTRIENT TRIALS ON MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PROPOSED RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Rare earth element (REE) micronutrient fertilizers have emerged as a promising tool for sustainable
agriculture, particularly in medicinal plant cultivation. This study reviews national and international
evidence on the effects of REEs on seed germination, root development, biomass accumulation, and
secondary metabolite production. Preliminary field trials in Vietnam on Camellia nitidissima and Morinda
officinalis showed notable increases in yield and bioactive compound content, with minimal heavy metal
accumulation. Based on these results, future research is proposed to investigate molecular mechanisms,
expand target plant species, integrate beneficial microorganisms, and assess economic and environmental
impacts to support safe and effective REE application in medicinal plant production.