Effect of Controlled Light Environment on Photosynthetic Characteristics and Chlorophyll Content Variation in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer
Background : The ginseng cool-season and semi-shade plant undergoes photosynthesis smoothly at low temperature in the morning but its efficiency falls at high temperature in the afternoon. Therefore, if it is possible to control light transmission rates (LTR) every day, it will be able to draw an ideal result in the ginseng growth by attracting a lot of lights before 11am and attracting few lights after 11am which is the affect point of the photosynthetic efficiency. Methods and Results : While installing the sun shading facility that could control the light environment based on 11am and surveying the ginseng's growth and photosynthetic characteristics. The photosynthetic efficiency increased 2.81 times compared to conventional practices without the change of the chlorophyll content although LTR was high because of the low temperature in the morning. The aboveground part growth of the ginseng which adapted to the light environment increased to influence the root weight, when the ginseng was 4 years old, the fresh root weight was averagely 33.3g per plant which increased by 81% than 18.4g of conventional practices. Conclusion : If the light environment management according with the photosynthetic nature of the ginseng is conducted based on 11am, it will be possible to produce a large capacity and excellent-quality ginseng.