Abstract: Classification,resource distribution, breeding of dioscorea, as well as extraction, isolation, structure identification, analysis and testing, and pharmacological effects of diosgenin were demonstrated. It was found by surveying diosgenin demand and substitutes of diosgenin, that in the next 10 to 20 years, the optimum acreage of planted Dioscorea zingiberensis would be kept at (2.67-3.33)×10⁴ hm², diosgenin output would be kept at 2000t/a, and diosgenin price will be maintained above 450000yuan/t. Environmental benignity and high quality of diosgenin are the basic requirement of the present era. After several years market consolidation, China's D.zingiberensis, diosgenin industry will forward along the track of healthy development.

Key words: Dioscorea zingiberensis, diosgenin, research, prospect