Background : The cultivation method of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been introduced not only in the existing shading facilities but also in the cultivation method using the rain shelter house. In addition, direct seedling cultivation of ginseng is increasing in order to save labor. Ginseng cultivation area in the northern area is increasing with the disappearance of first planted field. Proper shading method in the northern ares is needed to grow direct grown ginseng using rain forest house. Methods and Results : Shading method using rain shelter house was Polyethylene film with layered polyethylene net 75%, blue-white duplicated PE film 85%, blue-white duplicated PE film 90%. Plant materials is 5-years-old Ginseng using direct seedling cultivation. In order to select proper shading materials of the rain shelter house in northern area, we investigated photosynthetic properties and growth of 5-years-old ginseng in rain shelter house. The temperature and humidity were slightly different between the traditional conventional shade facility and the rain shelter house, but the light intensity of the shading facility tended to decrease with the passage of time. The difference in shading method in rain shelter house was the highest at polyethylene film with layered polyethylene net 75%. As a result of the growth characteristics of the top part, 90% of blue-green double-sided film showed the greatest growth with 89.8 ± 1.5. The difference in top part between rain shelter house and shading facility is about 23 ㎝. Conclusion : Although the above growth characteristics of the ginseng shows this tendency, the root growth characteristics of the ginseng must be further observed.

Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a multi-year-cultivated plant that causes many insects and disease damage during the growing season. The Ginseng Rain-sheltered Shade House is one of the efficient cultivation techniques as reducing the damages caused by natural disaster such as blight, high temperature & humidity, dry, and heavy rain & snow. This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics of 4-years-old ginseng using rain-sheltered shade house suitable shading materials for the Gyeongsangbuk-do. Methods and Results : The rain-sheltered shade house shading materials were PE film with layered polyethylene net 90%, Light diffusion film with layered polyethylene net 75%, blue-white duplicated film. In order to determine proper shading materials of the rain-sheltered shade house, ginseng growth characteristics such as plant length, stem diameter, leaf length, root length and root diameter were investigated at 4-years-old ginseng. As a result, the evaluations of aerial part growth by measurements were good in the following order: PE film + polyethylene net 90%, Blue-white duplicated film and light diffusion film + polyethylene net 75%. The evaluations of root weight by measurements were heavy in the following order: Blue-white duplicated film, PE film + polyethylene net 90% and light diffusion film + polyethylene net 75%. The net photosynthetic rate was higher in blue-white duplicated film than other shading materials treatments during growth season including summer high-temperature period. Conclusion : In the 4-years-old ginseng cultivation in Gyeongsangbuk-do using the rain-sheltered shade house, aerial part growth in PE film + polyethylene net 90% was better than other shading materials. In addition, root weight in Blue-white duplicated film was heavier than other shading materials. It will be possible to know which shading material is the most suitable for Gyeongsangbuk-do area after further growth.

Background : Rural communities were facing labor difficulties due to old age and increasing number of women in the labor force. These factors have caused decrease in effectivity and productivity of ginseng production. Also, due to repetitive ginseng cultivation, salt accumulation in soil becomes more evident. When too much salt is present, ginseng plants appeared to have red colored roots and this caused the fall down of marketability of ginseng. In this study, we tested the use of wide shade facilities to enhance the growth traits of ginseng. Wide shade facilities can also reduce the working expenses of transfer cultivation and replacement by around 1,500,000 won/10a. In addition, this might also reduce the consequences of continuous cropping, thus obtaining a stable and safe field. Methods and Results : We set up 3 kind of facility as wide shade, supply type wide shade and conventional shade in Ginseng & Medicinal Plant Research Institute, Chungnam Agricultural Research & Extension Services. Wide shade facility used three different types of shade material, black, red, and blue films. Supply type wide shade facility and conventional shade used polyetylene (PE4 + PE2) film. The planting size were 10 ㎝ × 18 ㎝ (9 × 10 plants), planting number: 90 plants/3.2㎡ in wide shade (include supply type wide shade) and 10 ㎝ × 18 ㎝ (8 × 10 plants), planting number: 80 plants/3.2㎡ in conventional shade. Our results showed that temperature was lower (-0.5℃) in wide shade facility than in supply type and conventional shade. conventional shade was lower (-0.5℃) or similar than in supply type shade. We investigated growth of Korean ginseng 3-years-old root for each facility. Results showed that total growth such as root weight, length was higher in supply type facility than in wide shade and conventional shade facility. Root rot was lower in supply type facility. Conclusion : Wide shade facilities was shown in low temperature than in supply type and conventional shade. Supply type was good for root growth and root rot disease. These finding could be used for place fixed cultivation for ginseng using wide shade facility.

Background : In this study, We will compare germination rate for each bed soil moisture content and find optimal seed germination on bed soil condition. This study was carried out germination efficiency related percent germination, germination energy, mean germination time and germination seed treated bed soil moisture content by volume on dehisced Korean ginseng seeds. Methods and Results : This study was used for conventional seeds of dehisced Korean ginseng seeds. In order to bed soil moisture treatment, We was dried on the soil until 1.5% moisture content and treated 12 different bed soil, soil 100 g volume up water 10 ㎖ for 10% soil moisture content, that contain moisture content (1.5 - 59.66%) at intervals 5 - 10% moisture content in Wagner ports. For bed soil moisture content test, We was sowed 61 Korean ginseng seeds each port on 18-May. In order to maintain the moisture content, The top of the port was covered with vinyl for blocked from the outside air. After sowing seeds, We was examined the germination rate, germination strength (GS), mean days per germination (MDG), and germination speed (GR) at every two days. Our results showed that germination rate was 94.5% at 47.07% moisture content. It had over 90 percent germination rate from 40.90 to 59.96% moisture content. High germination rate treatments also was higher with another traits such as germination strength (GS), mean days per germination (MDG), and germination speed (GR). Conclusion : The germination rate is very important in Korean ginseng cultivation of direct sowing. The soil moisture content is one of the most important environment related germination rate of ginseng seeds. According to our result, 40.90 to 59.96% bed soil moisture content had over 90 percent germination rate. These finding could be used to increase high germination rate, is required to proper irrigation. We will need to proper moisture content to increase high germination rate not only bed soil but also soil.

Background : Recently, the quality of ginseng is degrading while the yield decreases by 15 - 20% due to the high-temperature injury, the physiological disorder and 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 Cheonpung and Yeonpung, 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 preliminary yield trial on the 3 lines (GS98-3-4, GS00-58 and GS97-69) show that the above-ground and underground growth of the 4-years-old ginseng group selected as superior lines were superior to that of Chunpoong and Yunpoong. eference varieties. Especially, GS98-3-4 shows excellent root weight and root diameter, while GS97-69 shows excellent leaf length and leaf widths. Replicated yield trial on the 3 lines (GS97-62, GS98-1-5, GS00-44) show that the above-ground and underground growth of three lines were superior to that of Chunpoong and Yunpoong. In particular, the underground root weight of GS00-44 was the heaviest. Conclusion : According to the productivity tests on the 3 lines selected for excellent growing, the selected lineages are excellent in both above-ground and underground growing compared to the reference varieties of Cheonpung and Yeonpung. On the 4-years-old ginseng, GS00-44 & GS98-3-4 show excellent underground growing while GS98-1-5 & GS97-62 show excellent overground growing.

Background : The insufficient soil moisture due to spring drought causes the germination rate of ginseng seeds to be remarkably lowered and the low seeding depth causes the roots not to be settled but remain in the surface soil containing moisture, resulting in the ill-shaped ginseng. Especially, in the case of paddy soil, the soil environment is often over-humidified or over-dried, resulting in high rate of occurrence of physiological disorders such as rough skin, yellow-colored root and red-colored root, etc. compared to the upland soil, requiring more care in managing the soil. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim to investigate the effects of stamping treatment on the direct seeding cultivation in the paddy soil and to investigate the survival and growth characteristics according to the seeding method. Methods and Results : We investigated the effects of stamping on the emergency rate and growth by using rollers (15, 20, 25, 30 ㎏), and also investigated the growth characteristics according to the direct sowing methods (broadcast planting, motorized seeder, semi-automatic seeder, manual seeder, hoop-type seeder). In the emergency rate of 1-year-old ginseng group directly sowing and treated with trampling, the group treated with 25 ㎏ & 30 ㎏ showed the highest emergency rate & growth, and above-ground & underground parts growth of 1-year-old ginseng by sowing method, there was no significant difference between sowing methods, the emergency rate of motorized seeder and semi-automatic seeder was high. Conclusion : In the paddy soils, the 25 – 30 ㎏ stamping after direct seeding showed superior above-ground growth and emergency rate, and there was no significant difference in growth, but motorized seeder and semi-automatic seeder had a higher rate of emergency in 1-year-old ginseng.

Background : Currently sprout ginsengs are produced in extensive variations of cultivation times, methods and specifications that are different in each farm in Korea. Also, regardless the effective ingredient content of ginseng, overgrown sprout ginseng are distributed so that the quality standardization of sprout ginseng is urgently required. The sprout ginseng market is only a segment of the Korean ginseng market still. However, If development of processed products utilizing the functionalities is connected, the market may exponentially grow. Also, if the use of sprout ginseng is extended to productions of drinks, cosmetics, facial masks and others in the cosmetics and health functional food industries, the export competitiveness to the global market is expected to increase. Therefore, this study aims the quality standardization of sprout ginseng to secure the market competitiveness in Korea and overseas by examining the property change following the cultivation period. Methods and Results : Growth of sprout ginseng were investigated on 20 th, 30 th, 40 th and 50 th days after planting on May 30 th. Growth of above-ground parts and underground parts of 2-years-old sprout ginseng increased with longer growing period. As the growing period became longer, the sprout ginseng weight increased, that is the result of the increase of the above-ground part. Also, according to the examination on the leaves, stems and roots properties of 2-year grown sprout ginseng in each growing period, a trend that, as the growing period is longer from 20 days to 50 days, the hardness, gumminess, chewingness and fracture of leaf, stem and root are higher. Conclusion : In case of cultivating sprout ginseng in a green house, as the growth period of 2-years-old sprout ginseng was prolonged, the growth of above-ground parts and underground parts was improved. And, as the growing period of sprout ginseng was prolonged, the properties of leaves, stems and roots tended to increase.

Background : Foliar fertilizer materials are used in the field of ginseng farming to enhance the growth of ginseng. The law for ginseng industry prohibits the use of chemical fertilizer as a material for growing ginseng, but in recent years, various organic materials derived from natural materials have been produced and used in farming sites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar fertilizer on the growth and soil properties of ginseng during continuous use. Methods and Results : For the test materials, native seedlings were used and the amino acid solution, liquid silicate, microbial liquid and fermentation enzyme were treated from 2 to 5– year-old ginseng after transplantation. The test plots were carried out to 3 repetitions by randomized block design. The area of one plot was 3.24 ㎡. The treatments were foliar application three times at intervals of 10 days from the late of May when leaf development was completed. The chemical properties of each foliar fertilizer pH was the highest at 9.63 for liquid silicate and lowest at 5.85 for amino acids. Ammonium nitrate had the highest amino acid content (56 ㎎/ℓ). Phosphorus was the highest with 113.7 ㎎/ℓ of fermentation enzyme. As a result of foliar fertilization for 4-years up to 5-years of ginseng, the pH was similar in soil chemical properties. EC and nitrate nitrogen contents tended to be higher in foliar application than in non-treatment. In the photosynthesis of ginseng, fermentation enzyme and microbial treatment tended to be high. Thickness of ginseng leaf was the thickest in microbial treatment. Microbial treatment was the highest in the underground part. Soil chemical properties were also affected but there was no significant change to inhibit the growth of ginseng. Conclusion : The treatments of the foliar fertilizer were more effective than the no treatment on the growth of ginseng. Among the foliar fertilizers distributed on the market, those derived from natural products can be used in ginseng cultivation.

Background : The chlorophyll fluorescence imaging as non-destructive imaging methods have been used widely for efficiently early detection of plant responses to various stresses. The information from images acquired from different condition has the potential to generate specific signatures for particular stresses. Light-energy absorbed by plants is distributed over three competing processes: photosynthesis, thermal dissipation and chlorophyll fluorescence emission. An increase in Chl-FI thus implies a decrease in photosynthesis. The stresses in growing stage will change the efficacy of photosynthesis. As a example, Chl-FI of plant infections was carried out previously for a number of different viral and fungal plant–pathogen systems. Therefore, image can be used for differentiation of various stress index. Methods and results : 2-years-old ginseng plants were transplanted to plastic pots and each stress factors were treated. The stress factors used in this study were high temperature, low temperature, fungicide, and fungal pathogen. High temperature stress was induced by placing pots inside incubator adjusted at 35℃. For treatment of low temperature stress, ginseng plants were stored at 5℃ refrigerator for 5 minutes. Pathogen stress was carried to inoculate mycelial disk. Alternaria panax was inoculated potato-dextrose-medium and cultured for 10 days at 25℃. Mycelial disk obtained from cultured plate were placed on the one leaf of ginseng. Azoxystrobin wp was diluted 500, 1,000 times in tap water and sprayed to ginseng plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence image was acquired from each plant that stress treated and analyzed with sigma plot software. Conclusion : Important value, Fv/Fm (maximum efficiency of photosystem II), Fp (peak fluorescence during the initial phase of the operating efficiency of the Kautsky effect), NPQ-lss (steady-state, non-photochemical), etc., were significantly changed by variable stress index. But it was impossible to differentiate kind of stress by acquired value.

Background : Panax ginseng C. A. meyer is currently cultivated throughout the Korea Peninsula except for Jeju Island. We divided into 3 sectors according to latitude, north, middle, and south, and compared ginseng growth and environmental factors. Methods and Results : We surveyed 11 farms, and while temperature, plant density, sunshade material, and soil properties were varied between the farms, most north part used sunshade film and transfer-seeding, and middle-south and south part used sunshade net, and direct-seeding. From 1st to 10th of June, 2018, the temperature inside of sunshade of each farm which ranged 20.5 - 24.5℃ did not concerted with the local meteorological air temperature nor latitude. The average plant length was 66.0 ± 8.1 with a significant difference between local farms (p < 0.001). Plant length showed high correlation with stem length, stem diameter, leaf length, and leaf width, but not with chlorophyll content, thus plant length was used to compare the effects of environmental factors on plant growth. The temperature had negative correlations between plant length (r = -0.396, p = 0.056) and stem length (r = -0.420, p = 0.041), but not with others. When local farms grouped into 3 sectors, the temperature inside sunshade was lowest in south than others, and stem diameter, leaf length, and leaf width of north sector were higher than other sectors. Conclusion : The temperature of local farm might affected by micro environment such as sunshade and geometrical properties, and partially devote on the growth difference between the local farms.

Background : Panax ginseng is an important crop based on its pharmaceutical efficacy in the Asian countries, it cultivated in Korea is usually harvested after 4 to 6 years of cultivation, whereas various abiotic stresses lead to a reduction of its quality. One of them is the Aluminum (Al) accumulation. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can play a role in plant health and growth and has been considered as a new trend for supporting the growth of many crops in heavy metal occupied areas. Accordingly, this study aimed to utilize PGPR to enhance the resistance of the ginseng plant against Al stress. Methods and Results : The screening of several PGPR isolated from ginseng cultivate soil had been carried out by in vitro and in planta studies to confirm the plant growth promoting traits. Amongst, the strain Rhizobium panacihumi DCY116T was registered as one novel bacteria species and found to have IAA, siderophores production and phosphate solubilization traits, heavy metal resistance activity, and antifungal activity by in vitro test. Furthermore, in the perennial plant ginseng, fifteen minutes dipping of 108 CFU/㎖ DCY116T was enough to prime 1.5-years-old ginseng seedlings against given Al stress. Ginseng seedlings treated with DCY116T showed higher biomass, active compounds (like ginsenoside, proline, total phenolic, sugars) than non-bacterized Al-stressed seedlings. DCY116T treatment induced Al stress related genes, ROS scavenging genes, ABA biosynthesis genes and root hair formation genes which prevent the Al stress. Conclusion : R. panacihumi DCY116T can be used to prime ginseng seedlings and induced its Al resistance. Also, it can promote the root hair formation. Based on these results, strain DCY116T can be as a potential plant growth promoting bacterium used in the future for the cultivation of ginseng or other kind of crop/ plant growth under Al stress.

Background : Panax ginseng Meyer, the king of Oriental medicine is a geophytic perennial shrub. P. ginseng possess long juvenile period which spans for at least 3-years before it could attain reproductive competence. To explore the significance of flowering time genes we isolated, characterized the Flowering Locus T (FT) gene and named as PgFT1 and PgFT2 to understand their role in ginseng floral transition. Methods and Results : By using extensive cloning and bioinformatics analysis we identified two FT homologs from ginseng a. The deduced PgFT sequences has a considerable homology to established FT homologs with the essential amino acids of a florigen function conserved. The tissue specific expression profiling by Real-time qPCR from the juvenile (2-years-old) and adult (4-year-old) ginseng plants have shown a spatial and temporal expression pattern, furthermore PgFT transcripts exhibited photoperiod dependent oscillation as well. Besides, PgFT1 and PgFT2 have shown an age specific expression pattern, in particular the transcripts were concentrated to the roots of P. ginseng. The ectopic expression of PgFT homologs in Arabidopsis thaliana induce precocious flowering by altering several floral pathway integrators, in addition PgFT1 transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings had an increased root length while, the influence of PgFT2 in transgenic seedlings apart from flowering is as yet to be revealed. Conclusion : Based on our results, we alleged the spatial and temporal expression of PgFT homologs could be significant in the flowering time transition of ginseng and their age specific expression pattern suggests the roots of ginseng are influential in determining the reproductive competency. On top of it, results from transgenic studies in Arabidopsis claimed that PgFT1 might involve in the underground organ development. Albeit, their molecular regulation, developmental role and the manipulation of PgFTs in ginseng flowering warranties further investigation.

Background : Cytochrome P450 enzymes belong to the superfamily of monooxygenases that are found in all living organisms with diversity in their reaction chemistry. These P450 enzymes are being used extensively by plants in their defense mechanism. Tetracyclic triterpenes reported as major ginsenoside constituents in Panax ginseng, formed by multiple hydroxylation of cytochrome P450. CYP P450 enzymes is effective in metabolising both natural and xenobiotic compounds. In this study, two ginseng CYP genes (PgCYP76C and PgCYP736A) were functionally characterized by overexpression in heterologous plant system. Methods and Results : In Arabidopsis thaliana and Panax ginseng, planta transformation was generated by floral and cotyledon dipping method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58C1) individually. Spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression were analyzed by qRT-PCR against abiotic and biotic stresses. Herbicide (chlorotoluron) tolerance was performed at seedling stage by in vitro assay to check ectopic expressions. PgCYP736A expression were more abundant in leaves compared to roots and stem of 2-years-old ginseng, where as PgCYP76C gene was found to be highly expressive in rhizome, roots and leaves. Differential expressions were observed in response to abiotic stresses of two ginseng CYP genes, both expressed higher in response to NaCl and SA (salysilic acid) in ginseng. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PgCYP76C gene showed small, rounded leaves and reduced height. This phenotype was found to be caused by down regulation of gibberellin biosynthesis-related genes. Another function revealed tolerance towards herbicides that belongs to phenyl urea. Conclusion : This study indicates the functional roles of CYP genes in plant growth and stress responses. Studied genes also can be used as a tool to make plants herbicide tolerant. Further investigation might focus on it’s function over terpene biosynthesis and defence mechansim against (a)biotic stress.

Background : Ginseng seeds are harvested in immature stages and take 3 - 4 month to be germinated following cold stratification. Improvement of germination speed can be a valuable traits to be characterized for economically important medicinal plant. Modulation of cell wall compositions is also considered as another agricultural trait when the crops can be processed for foods and forages. Here we show the functional characterization of ginseng pPLAIIIβ focused on its possible values on germination and modulation of cell wall compositions. Methods and Results : Patatin-related phospholipase AIII family genes were identified from ginseng EST clones and further confirmed by PCR. Clone showing the highest homology with pPLAIIIβ was overexpressed in model plant Arabidopsis, and it displayed dwarf plants. qPCR analysis showed that pPLAIIIβ expressed in all organs of 2-years-old ginseng. Overexpression of ginseng pPLAIIIβ also displayed apparently enlarged seeds as well as altered germination speed in early stage compared to the control. Chemical stainings and direct quantification of lignin and cellulose were performed to understand the link of cell elongation patterns and cell wall compositions. Conclusion : Overexpression of ginseng pPLAIIIβ inhibited longitudinal cell elongation in all tested organs except seeds which is enlarged in both directions than the control. Shorter root length is related with auxin responsive genes and its dwarf morphological phenotype is resulted in altered cell wall compositions.

Background: A soil-borne pathogenic fungus, Ilyonectria radicicola (Cylindrocarpon destructans) causes root rot on ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and is known to attack many other plants. The Nectria/Neonectria radicicola complex has been renamed as the I. radicicola complex after analysis of its multi-gene relatedness and morphological characteristics. The fungi in this complex have been reclassified into 16 species under the genus Ilyonectria based on characteristics analysis Methods and Results: To obtain useful data from the Korean ginseng root rot, I. radicicola was isolated from the rhizosphere soils of the chestnut tree. They were identified through a pathogenicity test and a survey of the morphological features. The existence of I. radicicola in soil samples was confirmed by PCR detections using nested PCR with species-specific primer sets. These were subsequenctly isolated on semi-selective media from PCR-positive soils. Genetic analysis of the I. radicicola complex containing these pathogens was done by comparing the DNA sequences of the histone h3 region. These isolates originating from the rhizosphere soils of chestnut constituted a clade with other closely related species or I. radicicola isolates originating from ginseng or other host plants, respectively. Additionally, the pathogenicity tests to analyze the characteristics of these I. radicicola isolates revealed that they caused weakly virulent root rot on ginseng. Conclusions: This is the first study reporting that I. radicicola isolates from chestnut rhizosphere soils can attack ginseng plant in Korea. Thus, these results are expected to provide informations in the selection of suitable fields for ginseng cultivation.

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: This study was carried out to determine the best time for collecting ginseng berries without reducing the ginsenoside- Re content of ginseng roots, which are used as food, medicine, or cosmetic materials. Methods and Results: The test variety of ginseng used in this study was is Chunpung, which was collected from a 4-year-old ginseng field. Ginseng berries were collected at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 days after flowering. The number of berry bunches per 1.62㎡ ranged from 43.4 to 61.4, while the weight of berries per 1.62㎡ was the greatest when they were collected 49 days after flowering. The root fresh weight per 1.62㎡ was increased by 0.21 - 1.00 ㎏ compared with that before the test, but root weight gain was decreased as the berry collection time was delayed. Total ginsenoside content of 4-year-old ginseng was the highest when berries were collected 7 days after flowering, while the ginsenoside-Re contents was the highest when collection was done 14 days after flowering. Conclusions: The most suitable period for ginseng berry collection was proposed to be from 14 to 21 days after flowering, as this is when the content of ginsenoside-Re, which is useful as a medicinal or cosmetic material, is still high and the ginseng root has not yet decreased in weight.

Background : Ginseng is perennial, frequently damaged by various diseases and insect pests, due to this, quantity and quality decreases. Particularly, Alternaria blight greatly damages the stem in its germination and the leaves after leafing. Here, this research conducted a test by investigating the control effect of lime-sulfur mixture in the market on 5 ginseng Alternaria blight, in order to utilize it as the disease control measure for disease and pest for eco-friendly cultivation of ginseng. Methods and Results : This research investigated the control effect of 5 types of lime-sulfur mixture in market on ginseng spotting disease by distributing the solvents to 5-years ginseng by 100 times and 200 times on April 29, May 15, and May 27. Also, this research investigated spore germination inhibition effect on Alternaria panax, Colletotrichum sp. and Botrytis cineria spore germination inhibition effect was investigated with spore germination inhibition ratio by manufacturing 100 times’ culture and 200 times’ culture per lime-sulfur mixture medium. There were two materials among 5 lime-sulfur mixture products to control over Alternaria blight using eco-friendly ginseng material, which didn’t damage during the leafing period of ginseng, and this research selected Sulfur 153, effective for Alternaria blight. Sulfur 153 was effective for Alternaria blight control due to its 82.2% control effect when treating by 200 times. Sulfur 153 was effective for spore germination inhibition of Alternaria panax, Colletotrichum sp. and Botrytis cineria and the rates of spore germination inhibition were 71.5, 100, 19.5% respectively. Conclusion : There were 2 materials among 5 lime-sulfur mixture products to control over Alternaria blight using eco-friendly ginseng material, which did not damage leafing period, and sulfur 153 was selected as the material effective for Alternaria blight. Sulfur 153 appeared to suppress germination of spore of Alternaria panax and Colletotrichum sp.

Background : The soil-borne ascomycete fungus Ilyonectria rdicicola species complex is commonly associated with root rot disease symptoms in ginsneg. Its virulence has been attributed, among other factors, to the activity of hydrolytic cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDE). Methods and Results : To establish a rapid and accurate detection of Ilyonectria rdicicola, a species-specific primer was developed based on the putative genes of cell wall–degrading enzyme (pectinase, polygalactose, xylanase, xylosidase). Species-specific primer based on the DNA sequences of gene amplified about 200 - 300 bp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product for Ilyonectria mors-panacis. Conclusion : The primer pair yielded the predicted PCR product size exactly in testing with target pathogen DNAs, but not from the other species of Ilyonectria and species of other phytopathogenic fungi. The primer pair also showed only the species-specific amplification curve on realtime PCR on target pathogen DNA. The detection sensitivity of real time PCR using species-specific primer pair was 10 to 100 times higher than conventional PCR, with 1 to 10 pg/㎕. The approach outlined here could be further utilized as a rapid and reliable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the root rot of ginseng.