In order to determine the nitrogen use efficiency of plantlets in vitro under different nitrogen source, near infrared spectroscopy technique and image analysis technique with multi-references were used to obtain the successive information of nitrogen consumption. The Logistic and nonlinear hyperbolic equations were used for fitting the relationship of biomass of plantlet in vitro and culture time, nitrogen utilization of plantlets and culture time, and nitrogen utilization of plantlets and biomass of plantlet in vitro. The models of growth prediction, nitrogen utilization and nitrogen use efficiency of plantlets in vitro were established. The nitrogen use efficiency of Atractylodes lancea plantlets in vitro sub-cultured in different nitrogen source and levels were measured, which decreased with the increase of culture time. Ammonium (0.096 g L-1) / nitrate (0.555 g L-1) was the preferred nitrogen sources combination for the growth of Atractylodes lancea plantlets in vitro.

In order to determine the nitrogen use efficiency of plantlets in vitro under different nitrogen source, near infrared spectroscopy technique and image analysis technique with multi-references were used to obtain the successive information of nitrogen consumption. The Logistic and nonlinear hyperbolic equations were used for fitting the relationship of biomass of plantlet in vitro and culture time, nitrogen utilization of plantlets and culture time, and nitrogen utilization of plantlets and biomass of plantlet in vitro. The models of growth prediction, nitrogen utilization and nitrogen use efficiency of plantlets in vitro were established. The nitrogen use efficiency of Atractylodes lancea plantlets in vitro sub-cultured in different nitrogen source and levels were measured, which decreased with the increase of culture time. Ammonium (0.096 g L-1) / nitrate (0.555 g L-1) was the preferred nitrogen sources combination for the growth of Atractylodes lancea plantlets in vitro.