From field to plant-factory: A multi-criteria evaluation of medicinal plants for controlled environment cultivation [DATASET]

Abstract Wild harvest and field cultivation of medicinal plants pose major challenges. While the former threatens extinction of wild populations the latter suffers from varying environments, pests, diseases, and contamination which can compromise yield, safety, and consistency of bioactive metabolites of medicinal plants (MPs). In contrast, Controlled Environment Plant Production Systems (CEPPS), such as vertical farms or plant factories, can produce high-quality and consistent MPs by growing plants in an optimised and consistent environment. However, there is no systematic framework to identify and select MPs most suited for commercial-scale CEPPS. Here, we developed a multi-criteria decision-making framework to systematically evaluate MP species best suited for commercial CEPPS. We evaluated 77 MPs based on seven criteria spanning plant characteristics, medicinal potential, and environmental and economic status. We then ranked these MPs using a framework that combined the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Weighted Sum Model (WSM), considering input from multiple decision-makers involved in MP production and research. Based on our analysis, MPs best suited for CEPPS were those with compact growth, short harvest cycles, and broad commercial use. Mentha × piperita (peppermint), Salvia officinalis (sage), and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) were the highest-ranking species with high horticultural compatibility, medicinal potential, and market demand. We also found trade-offs where some species with high medicinal value ranked lower due to their currently limited botanical suitability for CEPPS. Overall, our framework provides a data-driven tool for stakeholders to identify ideal MPs for CEPPS based on their specific needs.摘要 野生采收与田间种植药用植物均面临重大挑战。前者会威胁野生种群的灭绝，后者则受多变环境、病虫害及污染的影响，这些因素会损害药用植物（medicinal plants, MPs）的产量、安全性以及生物活性代谢物的品质一致性。与之相对，可控环境植物生产系统（Controlled Environment Plant Production Systems, CEPPS），例如垂直农场或植物工厂，可通过在优化且稳定的环境中种植植物，产出高品质且品质均一的药用植物。然而目前尚无系统性框架，可用于识别并筛选最适配商业化规模可控环境植物生产系统的药用植物。 本研究开发了一套多准则决策框架，以系统性评估最适配商业化可控环境植物生产系统的药用植物物种。我们基于涵盖植物特性、药用潜力、环境与经济状况的7项准则，对77种药用植物开展了评估。随后结合药用植物生产与研究领域多位决策者的意见，采用整合层次分析法（Analytical Hierarchy Process, AHP）与加权和模型（Weighted Sum Model, WSM）的框架对这些药用植物进行排序。 分析结果表明，最适配可控环境植物生产系统的药用植物具备生长紧凑、收获周期短、商业用途广泛的特征。辣薄荷（Mentha × piperita, peppermint）、药用鼠尾草（Salvia officinalis, sage）以及普通百里香（Thymus vulgaris, thyme）为排名最高的物种，它们具备较高的园艺适配性、药用潜力与市场需求。研究还发现了权衡关系：部分药用价值较高的物种，由于当前在植物学上适配可控环境植物生产系统的能力有限，故而排名较低。 总体而言，本研究开发的框架可为利益相关者提供一款数据驱动的工具，使其能够根据自身特定需求，筛选出适配可控环境植物生产系统的理想药用植物物种。