Background : Due to immature development of embryo in ripened berries, dehiscence process is required for the proper germination of ginseng seeds. Such process involves the preparation of the container with alternating layers of seed and moist sand. In order to make sand fully moist, water sprayer has been usually used by farmers, which is labor intensive, time consuming and causing uneven sand moisture. Methods and Results : In this study, we investigated the effects of different stratification methods on dehiscence ratio of ginseng seeds. Ginseng seeds were stratified for 90 days in a total of 12 different treatments and the dehiscence ratios were compared; drainage methods, drainage time, the ratio between ginseng seeds and sand, and etc. Seed stratification process was performed according to the guideline of ginseng GAP. One thousand ginseng seeds were used for each treatment. It was found that the average of dehiscence of the 12 treatments was 84.6 %. The highest dehiscence ratio (90.3 %) was observed in the seeds that were treated with water soaking, immediately followed by drainage. Higher ratio was also observed in the seeds that were soaked for 60 min, followed by drainage. Therefore, our findings indicate that ginseng seeds soaked in water less than 60 min could dehisce more efficiently than traditional method. Conclusion : Our study demonstrated that ginseng seeds that are subjected to water soaking and then drainage showed better ration of dehiscence. This method will eventually decrease the time and labor used for seed stratification.

Background : When ginseng seeds were gathered, the seeds were unripe. To grow immature embryo definitely, special treatment called dehiscence must be performed. Even though dehiscence is completed, most ginseng seeds are on enforced dormancy. The breaking seed dormancy is generally achieved using cold treatment. Also it is reported that gibberellin treatment can replace the treatment. It is very time consuming process in order to develop new ginseng cultivar because ginseng flowers after 3 years of growth. To shorten the ginseng breeding period, it is necessary to establish fast generation progress. Therefore, this study examined the possibility of breaking seed dormancy of ginseng using GA3 treatment and alternating temperature. Methods and Results : Seeds were obtained from local variety fruit which is not inbred. Gibberellin of 100 ppm was treated at seeds for 24 hours. Fixed cold condition was treated on both –2℃ and 2℃. Alternating cold condition was treated on 2℃ and then –2℃, finally 2℃. Fixed and alternating temperature was continued for 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 days that 15 days of alternating temperature is first 2℃ for 5days and then -2℃ for 5days, finally 2℃ for 5days. The other treatment periods such as 30, 45, 60, 90 days mean 10, 15, 20, 30 days respectively. Each of 48 seeds were sowed on tray in greenhouse at 3 replication. Experimental plot was completely randomized. Conclusion : Seeds untreated with GA3 were germinated little and there is no difference between 2℃ and –2℃. Alternating temperature until 60days made no difference with fixed temperature but germination rate increased up to 70.8% when seeds were treated for 90days. Germination of seeds treated with GA3 is much higher than untreated seeds especially combined with alternating temperature.

Background : In order to determine the effects of planting methods on root growth of ginseng varieties, two different methods, direct seed sowing and transplanting were compared in terms of their effects on different root growth characteristics. Methods and Results : Higher fresh root weight was observed in ginseng grown by direct seed sowing. Direct seed sowing of three cultivars (Sunhyang, Chungsun and K-1) resulted in higher yield, whereas no difference was observed in the yield of one cultivar (Chungsun). Gumpoong was highly tolerant to physiological stress, as it showed fewer symptoms of rusty and rough skin root diseases in both direct seed sowing and transplanting. The average main root length per total root length of ginseng grown by direct seed sowing was 33.6%, whereas that of ginseng grown by the average of those by transplanting was 22.4%. Other root growth characteristics, including root length, main root diameter, and number of side roots, improved when the direct seed sowing method was used. Conclusions : To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the differences in root growth parameters of ginseng varieties grown by direct seed sowing or transplanting at the same planting density. Because of the advantages of direct sowing during ginseng planting, developing new varieties and improving cultivation methods are imperative.

Background : Considerable time and effort is required to develop new Panax ginseng varieties. Ginseng breeders have been developing techniques to shorten the breeding cycle to resolve this problem. In this study, we investigated the effects of adding GA3 and alternating temperature (AT, 2℃→ −2℃ → 2℃) on breaking bud dormancy in the varieties (Chungsun and Sunun) of ginseng root. Methods and Results : The GA3 soaking treatment and AT were applied to one year old roots, which greatly accelerated the emergence of new buds. In one year old roots, new buds emerged from the 4th day post transplanting and after breaking dormancy with GA3 and AT treatments. The emergence of new buds was completed within two weeks. The rate of bud emergence for Chungsun was 60% - 98% over 15 - 60 days after the AT and GA3 treatments. The emergence rate of Sunun was 46% - 92%. Normal growth of the ginseng seedling was observed in spite of the early breaking of bud dormancy by combined GA3 and AT treatments. Conclusions : GA3 and AT treatments shortened the dormancy period and facilitated the stable emergence of ginseng seedlings. However, some plants suffered deformities and early sprouting owing to the combined GA3 and AT treatments. Early sprouting was free from dormancy after leaf fall from the of aerial part of the plant.