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.

• 김영창(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Young Chang Kim Corresponding Author
• 김영배(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Young Bae Kim
• 김장욱(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Jang Uk Kim
• 이정우(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Jung Woo Lee
• 조익현(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Ick Hyun Jo
• 방경환(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 기획조정과) | Kyong Hwan Bang
• 김동휘(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Dong Hwi Kim
• 김기홍(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Kee Hong Kim