Development of Heat Resistant Lines from Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) Germplasms
Background : Stable ginseng production is highly dependent on specific climate conditions. Recently, ginseng yield and quality are negatively affected by climate changes, particularly global warming. Thus, it is imperative to apply a new systematic cultivation method and to develop new varieties with enhanced heat resistance to cope with elevated temperatures. Up to date, ginseng breeding program has mainly focused on the quantity and process ability of red ginseng. New varieties with increased resistance to diverse abiotic stresses need to be developed. Methods and Results : In this study, 13 varieties and 100 germplasms were screened for resistance to heat stress. To measure heat resistance, seedlings were transplanted to a pot 3 times in threes. Two months later, the pot was placed in a temperature chamber at 46℃ for 1 hour, a critical condition that ginseng appears to stop cellular respiration. After waiting for 1 day, the pot was examined for survival rate and fluorescent reaction. Fluorescent reaction was tested according to Nedbal et al. (2000) and Park et al. (2010) and with an image fluorometer. After testing chlorophyll fluorescent reaction, Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm and Rfd were used as screening indices for high temperature resistance. It was found that the adequate values for Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm and Rfd were over 2.2, over 0.55 and over 0.8, respectively. Also, the degree of the above-ground damage is investigated in the 4-year old field. Under our heat stress conditions, susceptible varieties (Chunpoong) and germplasm lines showed drooping and wilting leaf phenotypes, whereas the leaves of a resistant line (named Eumseong 11) remained healthy. Eumseong 11 had the highest values with 2.3, 0.61 and 0.98 in fluorescent test. In addition, compared to the susceptible lines which were wilted in 4-year old field, no detrimental phenotypes were observed in Eumseong 11. Conclusion : ‘Eumseong11’ was selected as a superior line with increased resistance to heat stress. We are now testing how Eumseong11 responds to other abiotic stresses. Our effort will contribute to increase the farmers' income.