Variations in Cold Resistance and Contents of Bioactive Compounds among Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo Strains

is a valuable traditional Chinese herbal plant that is both medicinal and edible. However, the yield of wild is limited. Adverse stress affects the growth, development, and yield of plants, among which low temperature is the primary limiting factor for introducing to high-latitude areas and expanding the planting area. Therefore, this study aims to explore the variations in growth ability, cold resistance, and contents of bioactive compounds among different strains. Four strains of were selected as experimental materials and were subjected to low-temperature stress (4 °C). The agronomic traits, physiological indices, as well as the expressions of cold resistance-related genes ( , , , and ) in the roots and leaves of , were determined. The contents of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phenols were also measured. Compared with the other strains, Xianju had the highest seed germination and transplantation-related survival rates. Under low-temperature stress, Xianju exhibited the strongest cold resistance ability, as revealed by the changes in water contents, chlorophyll levels, electrical conductivities, enzyme activities, and expressions of the cold resistance-related genes. Additionally, the polysaccharide content of Xianju increased the most, while the stem flavonoid and leaf phenol contents were elevated in all four strains under cold treatment. Therefore, selecting excellent performing strains is expected to expand the planting area, improve the yield, and increase the economic benefits of in high latitude areas with lower temperatures.