This study was conducted to determine the effect of salinity on the growth and development of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer) and to evaluate the inorganic ion content in Korean ginseng with different general complete fertilizer (GCF) and NaCI concentrations at two growth stages. The stem height of Korean ginseng treated with different GCF and NaCI concentrations decreased at the higher EC (2.0 dS m-1 ), but there were no significant difference in the stem diameter, the leaf length, and the leaf width among different treatments. The root growth increased with the supply of GCF. Especially, the root growth was facilitated two times at 3.0 dS ~textrmm-1 as compared to control. But the root growth more sharply decreased with NaCI treatment than GCF. The ~textrmK+ and ~textrmMg2+ content in leaves and roots increased with GCF at the early growth stage. At the late growth stage, the ~textrmK+ content in leaves decreased but the ~textrmCa2+ and ~textrmMg2+ content increased. The ~textrmCa2+ and ~textrmMg2+ content in roots increased but the ~textrmK+ content decreased. The ~textrmNa+ content in Korean ginseng increased sharply with NaCl treatment. The ~textrmNO3- content in leaves and ~textrmNH4+ content in leaves and roots increased as GCF concentration increased. The ~textrmNO3- content in leaves, stems, and roots at the late growth stage decreased as NaCl concentration increased. The ~textrmNH4+ content in leaves and roots decreased significantly at the early growth stage, but it decreased significantly in leaves and stems at the late growth stage. The root activity of Korean ginseng increased with GCF, but decreased as the EC increased with NaCl. The water potential of leaves with GCF showed no significant difference compare to control, but the water potential of leaves treated with NaCl decreased as EC increased.

• Jin-Woong Cho
• Bong-Jae Seong
• Hyun-Ho Kim
• Choong-Soo Kim