OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of total saponins and total polysaccharides content in the roots of Paridis rhizoma genus plants with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) infection rate and rhizosphere soil nutrients. METHODS: Taking 16 pieces of Paridis rhizoma herbs and rhizosphere soil in Three Gorges Reservoir Area as the research object, mycorrhizal infection rate and infection intensity, the contents of total saponins and total polysaccharides in roots and stem, and rhizosphere soil nutrient contents were all determined. SPSS18.0 software was adopted for data multiple comparison and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Paridis rhizoma genus plants roots in Three Gorges Reservoir Area could form a good symbiotic relationship with AMF. Infection rate ranged from 85.19% to 99.80%, and infection intensity ranged from 16.55% to 72.27%. Paridis rhizoma from different origins and varieties had significant difference in the contents of total saponins and total polysaccharides (P<0.05). Soil pH was moderate, the average content of total nitrogen was in insufficient level, the average concentration of the remaining nutrients belonged to middle levels or above. Correlation analysis showed that the mycorrhizal infection rate and infection intensity of Paridis rhizoma were not significantly correlated with its quality. The total saponins were significantly negatively correlated with organic matter and available nitrogen. The total saponins and total polysaccharides were positively correlated with available phosphorus, potassium and pH value, but they were not significantly correlated with the other soil nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Paridis rhizoma is selective to different soil nutrients. Rich soil available phosphorus and potassium supply are in favor of the synthesis and accumulation of total saponins and total polysaccharides in Paridis rhizoma roots.