Background : Mutagenesis is one of the most powerful method for genetic variation, however there is little research history in P. ginseng. The seeds and vegetative tissues are materials commonly used for mutagenesis, but there is a problem that chimeras known as sectoral differences can occur and unintentional poor selection can occur owing to the influence of the growth environment. The combination of in vitro culture and mutagenesis can eliminate the effects of the environmental factors. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. The explants containing the somatic embryos were treated with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Gy. Gamma-rays affected the somatic embryos produced in vitro depending on the dose. The survival rate of somatic embryo was significantly influenced by gamma irradiation. Also, the development of the embryo was changed by gamma irradiation depending on each dose. When somatic embryos were transferred to the medium supplemented with GA3, they started to germinate but were affected significantly by gamma irradiation dose. When germinated shoots were transferred to 1/2 SH medium to induce rooting, as the concentration of gamma ray treatment increased, the rooting gradually decreased. Conclusion : Considering the overall survival rate, germination rate, embryo development, and rooting rate, the optimal dose of gamma rays to be used with somatic embryo is estimated to be between 60 Gy and 80 Gy.

Background : Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is an important medicinal herb and their major pharmacologically active components are ginsenosides. Many studies have reported that various ginsenosides are effective in the treatment of human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and alzheimer’s disease. However, it is difficult to create new desirable variation such as increased ginsenosides. Since the frequency of spontaneous mutations is rare naturally and difficult to apply to plant breeding, artificial mutation inductions are necessary to obtain noble genetic resources having desirable traits. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. One-year-old ginsengs were treated at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Gy. The emergence rate was significantly decreased with increasing gamma doses. When irradiated at more than 80 Gy, it did not emerge at all. Survival rate was also significantly influenced by gamma-ray dose. The maximum survival rate were recorded in control. The survival rate of 20 Gy was 22.0% and only 1.0% survived when 40 Gy dose was treated. There was no survival when irradiated at more than 60 Gy. Gamma irradiation also affected the phenotype of emerged plants. The growth of plants derived from irradiated one-year-old ginsengs was decreased and the leaves became variegated or curled. Also, rusty roots resulting from physiological disorders were observed and the rhizomes, which is a kind of dormant bud, were destroyed completely. Conclusion : Based on these results, we estimated the optimal dose for mutation induction by gamma-ray treatment of one-year-old ginseng is to be less than 20 Gy.

Background : The conventional ginseng breeding is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, it is difficult to create new desirable variation such as resistant to various stresses and increased ginsenosides. Therefore, creating variants remains a serious challenge of ginseng breeding. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. The dehiscent seeds were treated 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200 and 400 Gy. The seed germination was greatly influenced by gamma-ray treatment. It was found that the germination rate decreased significantly when treated at 60 Gy or more. The maximum survival rate was achieved at 20 Gy but there was no significant difference from control. Following exposure to 40 Gy or more, survival rate was declined compared to the control. Gamma irradiation affected not only the germination and survival rate but also the growth of plants germinated from seeds. As gamma irradiation dose increased, the size of the plant decreased sharply and it also had a negative effect on root development. Conclusion : Considering the extent of reduction in the germination and survival rates, as well as growth reduction, the optimal dose of gamma-ray for inducing mutation in ginseng dehiscent seeds was estimated at approximately 40 Gy, because the germination rate observed at 40 Gy was similar to that of the observed in the control, while the survival rate was 50% of the control.

Background: Dazomet are widely used as soil fumigant to solve soilborne problems, and the degradation intermediates are toxic to nematodes, fungi, bacteria, insects and weeds. Methods and Results: The effects of cultivation of green manure crop, maize before and after soil fumigation on the control of ginseng root rot disease were compared using soil where 6-years-old ginseng was harvested. Fumigant (dazomet) were used for soil fumigation in May and September, respectively. Maize was grown for soil management before and after soil fumigation. After May fumigation, the sowing date of maize was delayed by 15 days and thus its dry weight was decreased significantly. Maize cultivation after May fumigation increased pH but decreased EC, NO3, P2O5, and K significantly. Maize cultivation after May fumigation decreased fungi population and the ratio of fungi and bacteria. Growth of 2-years-old ginseng was improved and the incidence of ginseng root rot was significantly decreased by maize cultivation after May fumigation. After harvesting 2-years-old ginseng, the population of Cylindrocarpon destructans was not different between treatment of May and September, but Fusarium solani showed a significant increase in September fumigation after maize cultivation. Conclusions: Maize cultivation after soil fumigation was effective in inhibiting ginseng root rot by the amendment of mineral composition and microorganism in fumigated soil.

Background: Saline soil has negative effects on the growth of most crops. Sodium is the main element that causes salt accumulation in soil. Organic materials such as cow and poultry manure, are frequently used during the preparation stage, which causes an increase in the rate of salt accumulation in the soil. Methods and Results: To investigate the influences of sodium on ginseng, NaH2PO4, Na2SO4, and NaCl were used to adjust the sodium concentrations at 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM in nutrient solution. In a 2-year-old ginseng, toxic symptoms appeared when the sodium treatment exceeded 50 mM. The sodium concentration in the leaves was 3.33%, which is more than twice as high as that of the control treated at 50 mM. As the sodium concentration increased, the root weight significantly decreased. In the 100 mM treatment, the weight decreased by 28% when compared to that of the control. The Amount of ginsenoside significantly increased with an increase in sodium concentrations. Conclusions: These results suggest that the growth of 2-year-old ginseng is negatively affected when sodium exceeds 50 mM. This result can be used for a as basis in diagnosing the physiological disorders of ginseng.

Background : Korea's agriculture has been forced to change due to the decline in agricultural population, the aging of the population and the conclusion of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Thus, agriculture is seeking to develop into a sixth industry. For this reason, it is necessary to find high-function alternative plant resources for health promotion to meet the changes in national needs for agricultural products. The adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng is the raw material of food code that produced by the biotechnology technique. introduced in the culture of the plant, which is the only way to use a raw material of food. Therefore, in order to increase the yield of ginsenoside in adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng, ginsenoside precursor was treated and ginsenoside contents were analyzed. Methods and Results : In order to investigate effect of precursor treatment on the production of ginsenoside in adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng, 5 g of adventitious roots culture of mountain ginseng were cultured in liquid SH media supplemented with 2 ㎎/l IBA, 3% sucrose for 8 weeks, which was co-cultured with β-sitosterol and Squalene (0.0625 to 1 mM) or without. Determination of 17 ginsenosides contents of each extract was carried out by HPLC. Rb3 was accumulated by only β-sitosterol, also it increased production of total ginsenoside in the cultured ginseng roots at a concentration of 0.125 mM, which was 2.47-fold higher than that in the control (78.13 ㎎/g of extract). Conclusion : These results are an important to improve the production yield of ginsenoside in adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng, and they provide an opportunity for development of adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng in dietary health supplement and pharmaceutical industries.

Background : The several studies on the characteristics of Korean ginseng cultivars and breeding lines have already been carried out the level of molecular classification analysis in Korea. In spite of where Geumsan is a representative place of Korean ginseng, Geumsan native species (breeding lines) have not yet been carry out analysis of morphological, genetic characteristics and relationship. We have plan to carry out morphological, genetic characteristics and relationship for Geumsan native species, breeding lines. Furthermore, We could be used diverse genetic resources for Ginseng breeding. Methods and Results : In this study, a total of 71 breeding lines and variety (GS97-1 - Geumwon) consisting of native ginseng collections from Geumsan was analyzed to identify for Korean ginseng variety respectively, and clustered for the selection of Geumsan native ginseng in Korea using DNA markers. We collected 71 Ginseng breeding lines from Geumsan. Analyses of the genetic characteristics of the collection were conducted for extraction gDNA using sprout. We were measured DNA concentration using QIAxpert (QIAGEN). Each DNA sample was quantified at the final DNA concentration of 5 ng/㎖ using sterilized distilled water. Korean ginseng 14 variety and 57 Ginseng breeding lines from Geumsan could be identified polymorphism using the selected 6 primer (MFGp183, MFGp130, MFGp110_E, UFGp163, MFGp108 and UFGp156). Conclusion : These finding could be used for morphological and genetic characteristics for produced native ginseng in Geumsan area. Futhermore, we could be used diverse genetic resources for Ginseng breeding.

Background : For ginseng breed development, mostly the pure-line separation method that registers excellent varieties after performing the regional adaptation test with the varieties selected through the preliminary and main productivity tests on selected excellent individuals cultivated in farms or excellent lineages for growing from collected lineages is used. Recently, the quality of ginseng is degrading while the yield decreases by 15 - 20% due to the high-temperature injury, the physiological disorder and/or the diseases caused by the climate warming so that development of disaster tolerant varieties strong against high temperatures, salts and diseases are demanded. For such reason, three lineages showing excellent overground and underground growing were selected from the gene resources collected from 1997 to 2000. And the productivity test has been conducted with these lineages having Chunpoong and Yunpoong, the existing varieties as the reference varieties. For the lineages excellent in growing, the variety registration will be performed after the regional adaptation test. Methods and Results : The results of productivity tests on the 3 lineages (GS98-3-4, GS00-58 and GS97-69) selected for excellent growing while having Chunpoong and Yunpoong as the reference varieties show that on the 2-years-old dormant roots, all of the selected 3 lineages are better in growing compared to the reference varieties. Especially, GS98-3-4 shows excellent leaf lengths and stem lengths while GS97-69 shows excellent leaf widths. On the overground growing of 3-years-old ones, GS00-58 and GS97-69 lineages are exceedingly more excellent compared to the reference varieties while the selected 3 lineages showing superb underground growing. Especially, GS98-3-4 lineage shows great root weights and diameters. Conclusion : According to the productivity tests on the 3 lineages selected for excellent growing, the selected lineages are excellent in both overground and underground growing compared to the reference varieties of Chunpoong and Yunpoong. On the 2-years-old ginsengs, GS98-3-4 shows excellent overground growing while GS97-69 shows excellent underground growing. On the 3-years-old ginsengs, GS00-58 and GS97-69 show excellent overground growing while GS98-3-4 shows excellent underground growing.

Background : This study was carried out to investigate the differences of growth characteristics, photosynthetic rate and ginsenoside content of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer according to the covering materials during house cultivation. Also the results of this study will be used as basic data for the standardization of ginseng house cultivation. Methods and Results : This experiment site was conducted from March to October, 2017 in the house located in Jinan - gun, Jeollabuk-do. The ginseng cultivar used in the experiment was a violet stem variant of 4-years-old. There are three kinds of covering materials used in the experiments: polyethylene (PE) film, scattering film, and blue-white film. PE film and the scattering film were first coated with 85% of light shielding net after the first installation, and then secondly coated with 75% and 30% of the light shielding net respectively in the middle of May when the house temperature reached 25℃. The blue-white film was cultivated after the initial installation without further treatment. The light transmittance of each covering materials were in the order of scattering film (14.5 ± 1.5%), blue-white film (10.0 ± 1.0%) and PE film (6.7 ± 1.0%). The average photosynthetic rate of each treatment was in the order of scattering film (2.94 μmol CO2/㎡/s), blue film (2.71 μmol CO2/㎡/s) and PE film (2.34 μmol CO2/㎡/s). Aboveground growth characteristics of ginseng were good in a scattering film and blue-white film. Root weights were found in the order of scattering film (47.1 g/plant) > blue-green film (41.3 g/plant) > PE film (37.6 g/plant). Conclusion : In order to select proper covering materials for ginseng house cultivation, the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of each treatment were compared with each other in order of scattering film, blue-white film and PE film. The photosynthetic rate of each treatment was measured according to the growing season. PE film was relatively low during the entire growth period. In the case of scattering film and blue-white film, the rate of photosynthesis was higher in the scattering film with high light transmittance until May, but showed a similar tendency after July. As a result, the difference in the growth characteristics of ginseng is thought to be due to differences in photosynthesis and assimilation according to the coating materials.

Background : This study was carried out to secure technology for stable production of ginseng by developing technology to reduce the high temperature in response to climate change. Methods and Results : Polyethylene film (PE film), scattering film and blue-white double-sided film (85% shading rate) were tested for ginseng rain-shielding materials. The shading materials used were a black shading net (90% shading rate) in the first, and an aluminum screen (40% shading rate) in the second. The first shading materials were installed on April 10 with PE film + black light shielding net, and scattering film + black light shielding net. As the treatment for high temperature injury relief, an aluminum screen was installed under a scattering film + black light shielding net and a blue-white double-sided film at a high temperature. The amount of transmitted light was 12.9% at scattered film, 14.5% at double sided film, and 12.5% at PE film when the primary rain-shielding material was covered. In secondary shading, scattering film + aluminum screen and blue-white double-sided film + aluminum showed 8.6% and 7.6% of light transmitting, respectively. In the case of temperature, the average temperature was lower than the outside temperature at the scattering film + aluminum screen, clear double sided film + aluminum screen and PE film recovery. The differences among the cultivars were significant in plant height, stem height, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width and leaf area. There were significant differences in the plant height, stem height, leaf length, and leaf width between treatments, but there was no interaction effect between varieties and treatments. The interactions between treatments were found only in the number of brach root. Conclusion : High temperature damage was influenced by the amount of irradiation in the facility rather than the temperature, which was presumed to be due to the accelerated aging of the ginseng leaf as the light transmittance increased.

Background : This experiment was conducted to study the characteristics of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) growth by LED artificial light source in the plastic house using multi-stage cultivation facility and artificial soil. Methods and Results : Seedlings of Korean ginseng cultivar cultivated from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm by adjusting the ratio of 1 : 1, 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 for red light and blue light for the LED light quality test. Controls were tested by treating the white light (fluorescent lamps) for the same time. The average temperature inside the plastic house remained above 25℃, then below 25℃ after mid-August and below 20℃ after mid-September. The temperature near the roots of the artificial soils was higher than 26℃ in late July and early August and lowered to 20℃ or lower in all treatments in September. The pH of the soil was in the standard range, but the EC value was 2.89 in the soil before the test and 5.83 in the white light treatment, higher than the standard range of 1.0. The light intensities were 95.3 μmol and 94.9 μmol in the 3 : 1 and 2 : 1 ratios of red and blue light, respectively. The photosynthetic rate was 1.72 μmole CO2/㎡/s in 3 : 1 treatment and 1.9 times higher than white light treatment. As the red light ratio increased, the light amount and photosynthetic rate increased. Growth characteristics of aerial parts (plant height, leaf length etc.) by LED irradiation were longer than that of white light treatment in the 2 : 1 or 3 : 1 treatment of red light and blue light. The root length was the longest at 13.7 ㎝ in the 3 : 1 treatment of red and blue light, taproot length were 6.9 ㎝ and 6.6 ㎝ in the 2 : 1 treatment and 3 : 1 treatment, respectively, longer than 4.3 ㎝ in white light. Root fresh weight was the heaviest (3.6 g/plant) in 3 : 1 treatment for red and green lights. Conclusion : It was confirmed that the rate of photosynthesis of Korean ginseng was higher than that of white light treatment and the growth characteristics of aerial and root parts were excellent at the ratio of 3 : 1 of LED red light and blue light in plastic house using multi-stage cultivation facility and artificial soil.

Background : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inorganic compounds (germanium etc) on the characteristics of growth and ginsenoside contents in Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cultivated in plastic houses. Methods and Results : The experiments were performed in the Jinan (elevation: 300 meters above sea level). Seedlings (n = 72 per 3.3㎡) of Korean ginseng cultivar were planted on March 23, 2015. Shading material of plastic house was blue-white vinyl. From May to September of each year, 500 and 1,000 times diluted solution of germanium and silicate and these mixed solutions were drenched once a month. The chemical properties of the soil are as follows : pH, EC, organic content, and P2O5 of the soil were within the proper range, and the Mg content of the Ex-cations was lower than the standard value in 3 treatments, including 500 times solution of silicate. The rate of photosynthesis in Korean ginseng leaves were 2.2 - 2.5 μmole CO2/㎡/s in germanium and silicate treatment than in the non-treatment (1.5 μmole CO2/㎡/s). In the mixed treatment of silicate and germanium, the growth characteristics of the aerial parts (leaf and stem) of the Korean ginseng plants tended to be higher and longer than the other treatments. In a mixed germanium and silicate treatment, the root length was 33.3 ㎝, diameter was 23.5 ㎜, and the weight was the best at 53.8 g. The ginsenoside content was 16.8 ㎎/g in germanium treatment, 16.3 ㎎/g in germanium + silicate treatment. These were 37% and 33% higher than the control, respectively. The incidence of disease such as Alternaria panax was less in the inorganic treatment than in the non-treatment, and the incidence of disease was significantly decreased in the treatment with germanium + silicate. Conclusion : By soil drench of inorganic ingredients in Korean ginseng plastic house cultivation, the growth of the aerial and root parts in ginseng were more improved than non-treatment and ginsenoside content was increased and decreased the incidence of disease.

Background : The purpose of this study was to establish the optimum organic compost composition and fertilizer application for nutrient management during the cultivation of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) in the greenhouse. Methods and Results : Wood chips, popped rice hulls, and mixed expeller cake were mixed with certain contents, fermented microorganisms were added, and fermented for about 100 days to produce organic composts. Organic compost was applied to the greenhouse soils at a rate of 1,500 – 3,000 ㎏/10 a, and the Korean ginseng seedlings were planted (2015) and cultivated. The growth and quality characteristics of 4-years-old Korean ginseng were investigated as follows. In all treatments, the emergence date were April 17, and the emergence rate were 70 - 74%. Soil chemical properties such as pH (6.7 - 6.8) and trace element Ca (7.9 - 9.2 cmol+/㎏) were higher than the standard values, and EC, P2O5 and OM were appropriate. Disease incidence rate were less than 0.2% in the control (treatments of livestock manure compost 1,500 ㎏/10 a) and treatment 3 (wood chips 60% + popped rice hulls 40%), but there were no disease in other treatments. Plant growth such as plant height, leaf length, and stem diameter were superior to treatment 1 (wood chips 20% + popped rice hulls 80%), and growth of underground part such as root length were excellent in treatment 1 as a whole. In particular, in the application of 1,500 - 2,000 ㎏ of treatment 1, root weight (39.9 g, 42.3 g/plant, respectively) were superior to the other treatments. In general, as woodchip content and usage amount increase, root weight tended to decrease. Conclusion : It is considered appropriate to apply 1,500 - 2,000 ㎏/10 a of fermented compost of organic material which is mixed with wood chips (20%) and popped rice hulls (80%) with mixed expeller cake when growing Korean ginseng in the plastic house covered with blue-white vinyl.

Background : Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer belong to Panax species Araliaceae and a perennial plants. It grows in Far East Asia such as the Maritime province in Russia, the Manchuria reg ion of China, and the Korean peninsula. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is cultivated by seed sow ing or transplanting-culture, but seedling standing rate is as low as 50%. Therefore, it is impo rtant to increase seedling standing rate. This study was performed to research of plug-seedling cultivation techniques of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer for increase of seedling standing rate. Methods and Results : Testing material, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seed, was sown on 5 kin ds of seedling trays (72, 105, 128, 162, 200 cells) in the middle of February 2016. It was gr own in the seedling green house in medicinal plant resources research department of Gyeongs angnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services. Four months after sowing, the seedli ng growth characteristics such as seedling standing rate and seedling withering rate were inves tigated. After transplanting in the mountain area of Hamyang-gun, growth characteristics of the root length, root weight, and other factors were investigated at the beginning of November. A s a result, seedling standing rates were 50.1% to 56.2% and seedling withering rates were 25. 2% to 35.9%. Among the five ports, the seedling standing rate of 105 cells and 72 cells was 56.2% and 55.7%, which were higher than others. In the case of 105 cells, however, seedling withering rate was 35.1% higher than that of 72 cells. Seedling leaf length and width were lo nger at 72, 105, 128 cells than at 162, 200 cells and seedling root length, root fresh weight and shoot fresh weight were the highest at 72 cells. Roughly, the more tray cells, the less se edling growth. After harvesting, among the five ports, root fresh weight and root dry weight per 1 hill of 128 cells were 0.36 g and 0.11 g, respectively, which were higher than those of other cells. Conclusion : The growth characteristics of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer considering the seedling standing rate and seedling withering rate, among the five ports, 72 cells was most suitable. A mong the five ports, considering root fresh weight and root dry weight after harvesting, 128 c ells was most suitable.

Background: To obtain useful cosmetic resources, this study aimed to determine the non-saponin fatty acid and inhibitory activities of collagenase and elastase by treatment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in supercritical fluid extracted oil of the adventitious root culture of wild mountain ginseng. Methods and Results: We performed supercritical fluid extraction at various conditions such as pressure, temperature, time, and use of co-solvents, unlike the n-hexane extraction for the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng. The non-saponin-fatty acid obtained from the oil of the adventitious roots culture was incresed by treatment with S. cerevisiae. The supercritical fluid extraction was conducted using gas chromatography. Non-saponin-fatty acid content, in the oil of adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng treated with S. cerevisiae for 2 days were three times higher than that in the control. In addition, the oil of the adventitious roots culture treated with S. cerevisiae was investigated for the anti-wrinkle effect by using collagenase and elastase. The oil of adventitious roots culture treated with S. cerevisiae exhibited higher collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities than those in the control. Conclusions: Supercritical fluid extracted oil of the adventitious roots culture of wild mountain ginseng treated with S. cerevisiae was found to have decreased ratio of saturated fatty acids and incresed ratio and content of unsaturated fatty acids increased. Furthermore, it showed anti-wrinkle effects in vitro.

Background: The cultivation of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) in greenhouses could reduce the use of pesticides and result in higher yield; however, construction costs are problematic. The adaptation of direct-sowing culture in greenhouses could reduce the cost of ginseng production. Methods and Results: To improve seedling establishment in direct-sowing culture, effects of sowing density (SD), number of seeds sown per hole (SN), and thinning (TH) treatment on the root yield were investigated after 3 years of seeding. The emergence rate was significantly influenced by SD, but not by SN or TH. Damping-off and rusty roots increased with an increase in SN with diminishing effects of SN on seedling establishment. Root weight and diameter were affected by SD, SN, and TH, however, there were no statistical significances. The total number of roots harvested per unit area increased with increasing SD and SN, and the weight of roots was affected by SD, but not by SN or TH. Conclusions: Multi-seed sowing per hole and/or thinning might not be an efficient method for the direct-sowing culture of ginseng. The SD for direct seeding culture in greenhouses should be approximately 33 - 42 seeds/㎡ for an optimum yield of 3-year-old ginseng.

Background: This study was conducted to acquire basic information on the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the germplasm of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer collected from China and Korea, and identify the variations that can be utilized in ginseng breeding programs. Methods and Results: Quantitative parameters were evaluated, and used to compare and analyze on genetic polymorphisms in the germplasm. The genetic characteristics and classifications were compared and analyzed for each character. Stem length followed a normal frequency distribution ranging from 15.5 ㎝ to 40.5 ㎝, with showing approximately 40% having a stem length of 20 - 30 ㎜. Stem diameters ranged from 2.7 ㎜ to 11.3 ㎜. Stem number per plant ranged from 1 to 3; approximately 50% had a single stem, and 45% had two stems. A non-normal frequency distribution was observed for petiole number, with approximately 60% of the germplasm having 3 - 5 petioles. Petiole length exhibited a normal frequency distribution, raging from 4.5 to 10.6. Petiole angle in the germplasm ranged from 28° to 89° and seedstalk length ranged from 5.6 ㎝ to 27.3 ㎝. Conclusions: The genetic polymorphisms identified by complete linkage clustering based on the quantitative characteristics of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer collected from Korea and China were classified to 6 groups, namely I, II, III, IV, V, and VI with frequencies of 6.7%, 20.0%, 31.7%, 8.3%, 6.7%, and 26.7%, respectively.

Background: The application of crop rotation systems may reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases by releasing allelochemicals and by subsequent microbial decomposition. Methods and Results: For reduction of ginseng root rot by the crop rotation system, after harvesting 6-year-old ginseng, fresh ginseng was grown along with continuous cultivation of sweet potato, peanut, and bellflower. Growth of 2-year-old ginseng was significantly inhibited in the continuous cultivation than in the first cultivation. Sweet potato, peanut and bellflower cultivations assisted in obtaining normal yields of ginseng in the first year after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng. Salt concentration, potassium and sodium contents were gradually decreased, and, organic matter was gradually increased through cirp rotation. Phosphate, calcium and magnesium contents were not altered. The density of the root rot fungus was gradually decreased by the increase in crop rotation; however it was decreased distinctly in the first year compared to the second and third year. The severity of root rot disease tended to decrease gradually by the increase of crop rotation. Conclusions: Short-term crop rotation for three years promoted the growth of ginseng, however root rot infection was not inhibited significantly, although it was somewhat effective in lowering the density of the root rot pathogen.

Background: The production method of ginseng seedlings for ginseng cultivation is very important to ensure healthy rooting system as well as high quality, and yield of the resultant plants. This study was carried out to compare the growth characteristics of 2- year-old ginseng plants that were produced from seedlings grown in self soil nursery (SSN), nursery soil (NS) or hydroponic culture (HC). Methods and Results: The shading prop used was composed of four-layered 4 polyethylene (blue 3 + black 1) shade screen. The management of main field was done by inserting oil cake (1,200 ㎏/10 a) and then allowing Sudan grass to grow for a year. Seedling transplantation was carried out on April 6. Root growth was measured on October 25. Root weight was observed to be excellent at 6.0 g, following SSN transplantation. Root length was 21.2 ㎝ for HC seedlings, but these plants had a physiological disorder (i.e., rusty root), in 83.5% plants of this treatment. The ratio of PD/PT (protopanaxadiol saponins / protopanaxatriol saponins) was higher in NS seedlings. Plant analysis revealed that Fe content was lower in HC seedlings with high rustiness. The growth of 2-years-old ginseng was different following these varying seedling cultivation methods, but seedlings from NS were not different from those grown in SSN. Conclusions: For the propagation of 2-year-old ginseng plants, NS seedlings may be a good substitute for SSN seedlings.

Background: In Korea, 6-year-old ginseng root is economically more important than 4 or 5-year-old roots. In general, the root age is determined by counting the number of stem vestiges. However, this method does not accurately estimate ginseng root age. Methods and Results: In this study, the stem vestige counting method was used to survey a total of 18,395 fresh ginsengs cultured in 2014, and 2015, to determine the accuracy of this method. The proportion of 6-year-old roots, with more than four stem vestiges, was 46.1% in 2014. For the cultivar Chunpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Goesan countries in 2015, the proportion of more than four stem vestiges was 55.9%, and 43.5%, respectively. The proportion of more than four stem vestiges for the Gumpoong cultivated in Eumseong and Yangpyeong countries was 67.0%, and 35.1%, respectively, whereas that for the cultivar Yunpoong was 36.0% and 61.0%, respectively. Moreover, it was confirmed that differences in the levels of Rg1 will enable root age determination. Conclusions: Root age determination by the stem vestige test was found to differ depending on the environmental and cultivation conditions. To determine the age of ginseng roots, a comprehensive method, such as counting stem vestiges and evaluating differences in ginsenoside levels, should be applied.