Background: Ginseng produced by hydroponics can be cultivated without using agricultural chemicals; thus, it can be used as a raw materials for functional foods, medicines, and cosmetics. This study aimed to determine the optimal harvesting time to obtain the highest levels of ginsenoside and ginseng, as this was not previously unknown. Methods and Results: One-year-old organic ginseng seedlings were transplanted and cultivated using hydroponics for 150 days in a venlo-type greenhouse, using ginseng nursery bed soil and a nutrient solution (NO3 −-N; 6.165, P; 3.525, K; 5.625, Ca; 4.365, Mg; 5.085, S; 5.31 mEq/ℓ). Ginsenoside content and fresh and dry weights were higher at 120 days after transplanting than at 30, 60, 90, and 150 days. Total ginsenoside content was 11.86 times higher in the leaf and stem than in the root at 120 days after transplanting. Ginsenosides F1, F2, F3, and F5 were detected in ginseng leaves and stems. These chemical compounds are known to be effective in altering skin properties, including whitening, anti-inflammation, and anti-aging. Conclusions: Optimal harvesting time for ginseng cultivated using hydroponics was 120 days after transplanting when the biomass and ginsenoside content were highest.

Background: In Korea, seeds of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer need to be stored under cold temperature and high humidity condition for months to break physiological dormancy, making storage difficult until spring-sowing. This study was conducted to test the effects of seed storage conditions and seed treatment on the emergence of seedling after spring-sowing in a nursery greenhouse. Methods and Results: After dehiscence, endocarp dried seeds in mild or completely, and wet seeds were stored in 2℃ and −3.5℃ during winter. Storage at −3.5℃ resulted in a lower emergence rate (ER) than that at 2℃, and additional cold (2℃) treatment before or after storage at −3.5℃ increased the ER. Endocarp dehydration prevented pre-germination at 2℃ storage and increased the ER of seeds stored at −3.5℃. ER was also dependent on the batch of seeds. However, seed treatments before sowing had only limited effects on ER. Root loss was the main reason for damping-off; prolonged cold storage of seeds increased damping-off, as the detection of pathogens was not high. Conclusions: This study showed that storage conditions such as temperature and moisture content of seeds, affect the ER after spring-sowing and vitality of seedlings, suggesting further attention on seed control for secure seedling stands after spring-sowing.

Background : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of soluble silicate and germanium on the characteristics of soil and growth in ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cultivated in blue-white plastic houses. Methods and Results : Seedlings (n = 63 per 3.3 ㎡) of Korean ginseng cultivar were planted on April 10, 2015. Shading material of plastic house [8 m (W) × 3.5 m (H) × 50 m (L)] was blue-white vinyl. From May to September of each year, 1,000 times diluted sol. of germanium and silicate and these mixed solutions were drenched once a month. The chemical properties of the soil are as follows : pH, EC, organic content, and P2O5 of the soil were within the proper range, and the Mg content of the Ex-cations was lower than the standard value in 3 treatments except treatment of germanium 1,000 times. The total nitrogen content was 0.13 - 0.14%, which was higher than the optimum value. The number of soil microorganisms (Actinomycetes etc.) was higher in the treatment than in the non-treatment of inorganic components. The photosynthetic rate of ginseng leaves was 2.25 μmole CO2/㎡/s in the non-treatment and 2.91 to 3.17 μmole CO2/㎡/s in the inorganic treated. The growth characteristics of the aerial parts (leaf and stem) of the ginseng plants were generally better than that of non-treatment. Especially, in the treatment with silicate 1,000 times showed better growth, leaf area and leaf width growth. The growth of the underground part (root weight etc.) were also better than non-treatment. Specially, at 1,000 ppm treatment with soluble silicate, the root length and diameter were longer and the weight was was 72.2 g per plant. The ginsenoside content of each treatment is under analysis. The disease incidence (Alternaria panax etc.) rate was 20.1% in the untreated and 6.4% to 10.0% in the inorganic components treatment. Conclusion : By soil drench of inorganic compononts such as soluble silicate in ginseng blue-white plastic house cultivation, the growth of the aerial and root parts in ginseng were more improved than non-treatment. There are a lot of soil microorganism and less disease.

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: 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: Since the revised Ginseng Industrial Act was passed, ginseng sprouts have become a new medicinal vegetable for which there is high consumer demand. However, the existing amount of research and data on ginseng production has not kept pace with this changed reality. Methods and Results: In this study we analyzed the changes in the amounts of ginsenosides in different parts of growing ginseng sprouts during the period from when organic seedlings were planted in nursery soil until 8 weeks of cultivation had elapsed, which was when the leaves hardened. In the leaves, ginsenoside content increased 1.62 times with the panaxadiol (PD) system and 1.31 - 1.56 times with the panaxatriol (PT) system from 7 to 56 days after transplantation. During the same period, the total ginsenoside content of the stems decreased by 0.66 - 0.91 times, and those of the roots increased until the 21st day, and then underwent steep declines. The effect of fermented press cake extract (FPCE) and tap water (TP) on the total amount of ginsenoside per plant were similar, and could be represented with the equations y = 1.4330 + 0.2262x - 0.0008x2 and y = 0.9555 + 0.2997x - 0.0031x2 in which y = ginsenoside content x = amount of and on the total amounts of FPCE or TP, respectively after 26.4 days, however, the difference between ginsenoside content with FPCE and TP widened. Conclusions: These results suggested that the amounts of ginsenosides in different parts of ginseng varied with the cultivation period and nutrient supply. These findings also provide fundamental data on the distribution of ginsenosides among plant parts for 2- year-old ginseng plants in the early- growth stage.

Background : The first planted field is decreasing due to replant failure and climate change. As a result, there is an increasing number of cases where new soil is covered in agricultural land or clearing forest to cultivate ginsengs. In this case, it is essential to improve the chemical properties of the soil before ginseng site management. This study was carried out to investigate growth, quality of ginseng and soil chemical properties to set the concentrations of nitrogen. Methods and Results : 0, 1, 4, 8, 16, 32 ㎏/10 a of urea were each treated at 3.3 ㎡ of the field and ginseng cultivar 'Gumpoong' was transplanted. Growth characteristics were investigated by growth period and soil chemical properties were investigated every 3 months. In 2-years-old ginseng, the root weight was the highest at 4 ㎏ treatment group of nitrogen while it showed the rate of increase in root weight is increased at 1 ㎏ treatment of nitrogen in 3-years-old ginseng. Physiological disorder and root rot symptom are increased at 8 ㎏ treatment group of nitrogen in 2- and 3-years-old ginseng. In case of soil properties, EC and Nitrate-N concentration exceeded 0.5 dS/m and 50 ㎎/㎏ respectively from 16 ㎏ treatment group of nitrogen after 14 months. The saponin content tended to decrease with increasing nitrogen treatment concentration at the 2-years-old ginseng. In the case of 3-years-old, the highest value was 0.88% at 1 ㎏ nitrogen treatment group. Conclusion : These results indicate that the application levels of nitrogen influence growth, quality of ginseng and soil chemical properties. These data can be used to set the concentrations of nitrogen when new soil is covered in agricultural land or clearing forest to cultivate ginseng.

Background: The cultivation of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) in greenhouses could reduce the use of pesticides and result in higher yield; however, construction costs are problematic. The adaptation of direct-sowing culture in greenhouses could reduce the cost of ginseng production. Methods and Results: To improve seedling establishment in direct-sowing culture, effects of sowing density (SD), number of seeds sown per hole (SN), and thinning (TH) treatment on the root yield were investigated after 3 years of seeding. The emergence rate was significantly influenced by SD, but not by SN or TH. Damping-off and rusty roots increased with an increase in SN with diminishing effects of SN on seedling establishment. Root weight and diameter were affected by SD, SN, and TH, however, there were no statistical significances. The total number of roots harvested per unit area increased with increasing SD and SN, and the weight of roots was affected by SD, but not by SN or TH. Conclusions: Multi-seed sowing per hole and/or thinning might not be an efficient method for the direct-sowing culture of ginseng. The SD for direct seeding culture in greenhouses should be approximately 33 - 42 seeds/㎡ for an optimum yield of 3-year-old ginseng.

Background: Dehisced ginseng seeds need to be stored at cold temperatures for around 3 months to break their physiological dormancy, and thus, to aid in gemination. In the presence of high moisture in such an environment, seed spoilage and pre-germination may lower seed quality and productivity. To improve seed quality during cold-stratification, the effects of seed dehydration and temperature were tested. Methods and Results: In early December, dehisced ginseng seeds were dehydrated at 4 different levels and stored at 2℃- 2℃, and –20℃ for 3 months. Germination was carried out on the filter papers moistened with distilled water; emergence of root, shoot, and seed spoilage were assessed. Seed viability was examined by the tetrazolium test. More than 90% of the seeds stored at 2℃ and –2 ℃ without drying or endocarp dehydration germinated, but seeds that were dehydrated to have a moisture content (MC) below 31% showed poor germination and lost their viability. In addition, the seeds stored at –20℃ failed to show effective germination. Conclusions: Seed storage after endocarp dehydration might help to improve seed quality and increase seedling's ability to stand during the spring-sowing of ginseng.

Background: Ginseng is a perennial crop grown for more than four years in the same place. Therefore, it is highly affected by the soil environment, especially nutrients in the soil. The present study was carried out to investigate to the influence of boron and iron concentrations on the physiological status, growth, and mineral uptake of ginseng to obtain the basic information for diagnosing a physiological disorder in ginseng plants. Methods and Results: The boron and iron concentrations were controlled at 3, 30, 150, 300 and 2, 20, 100, 200㎎/ℓ, respectively. When treated with 150㎎/ℓ of boron, the ginseng plants showed yellowing or necrosis symptoms at the edge or end of their leaves. Compared with the 3㎎/ℓ treatment, the root weight decreased by 13 and 24% in the 150 and 300㎎/ℓ treatments, respectively. When treated with 20㎎/ℓ of iron, the ginseng plants showed yellowing between the veins of the leaves followed by the formation of brown spots. The root weight gradually decreased with increasing iron concentration. Approximately 55% decrease in root weight was observed upon treatment with 200㎎/ℓ of iron. Conclusions: The boron toxicity occurs in the leaves of ginseng at the boron concentration of approximately 1,900㎎/㎏ or more. The iron toxicity occurs at the iron concentration of approximately 120㎎/㎏ for leaves and 270㎎/㎏ for roots.

Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a perennial crop grown for more than 4 years in the same place. Therefore, it is highly affected by soil environment, especially nutrients on soil. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of application levels of nitrogen, phosphate, potassium on growth and soil chemical properties of ginseng. Methods and Results : 0, 1, 4, 8, 16, 32 ㎏/10 a of Urea, fused superphosphate, potassium chloride were each treated at 3.3 ㎡ of the field and ginseng cultivar 'Geumpoong' was transplanted. Growth characteristics were investigated by growth period and soil chemical properties were investigated every 3 months. As the levels of treated nitrogen increased, root weight increased from 0 ㎏/10 a to 4 ㎏/10 a and then decreased. Electrical conductivity (EC) and the NO3 content tended to increase as time goes by. As the levels of treated phosphate increased, the SPAD content increased. Soil analysis of October showed that the NO3 content of phosphate 32 ㎏/10 a treatment increased to 80.25 ㎎/㎏. In the case of potassium 32 ㎏/10 a treatment, the emergence rate was 74% and root weight was 2.06 g, which were the worst in all treatments. When the levels of treated potassium increased, the EC tended to increase gradually and the pH was decreased. Conclusion : These results indicate that the application levels of Nitrogen, phosphate, potassium influence growth of ginseng and soil chemical properties. Further research will be needed to establish appropriate standards of soil chemical properties for ginseng cultivation.

Background : Despite the presence of various bioactive compounds in ginseng, there is lack of study on the variations of bioactive compounds in ginseng according to the cultivation of soil and the applied fertilizer types (or amount). Therefore, this study aims to examine the variations of 37 fatty acids (FA) and 8 vitamin E (Vit-E) vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng root cultivated in different soil types with different fertilizers regimes. Methods and Results : The profiling of 37 FAs and 8 Vit-E vitamers in 6-year-old ginseng roots was measured by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector, and then these results were statistically analyzed with chemometrics. The FA and Vit-E content in ginseng roots varied significantly with respect to soil cultivation conditions due to organic fertilizer types and amounts used. Unsaturated FA in ginseng is approximately 2.7 fold higher than the saturated FA. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were the most abundant FAs found in the ginseng roots. Also, the major Vit-E vitamer found in ginseng root is α -tocopherol. In particular, the application of rice straw compost or food waste fertilizer was increased to create nutritionally-desirable FAs and bioactive Vit-E in ginseng root. In addition, phytonutrient profiling coupled with chemometrics can be used to discriminate the cultivation conditions of ginseng. Conclusion : This preliminary study extends our understanding about the variations of FA and Vit-E in ginseng root depending on cultivation conditions. Hence, these results can be useful as basic information for reliable ginseng production containing high amounts of phytonutrients in a paddy-converted field.

Background : Upon harvest in the summer, seeds of Panax ginseng are unmatured and need further maturation, dehiscence and cold-stratification, for germination. For the cold-stratification, the seeds should be stored in the cold temperature for 90-100 days, however no further description about the storage condition have been described even though there have been many problems in emergence rate and quality of ginseng in the spring-sowed filed. Methods and Results : Thus here we tested 3 different storage temperature(2℃, -2℃, and – 20℃) in combination of 4 different seed water content(59%, 54%, 31%, and 7%) as cold-stratification condition. After 100 days of storage, seeds were placed on the filter paper after watering with distilled water in the petri dish and incubated at 10℃. Fifty percent of seeds stored at 2℃ with 59% water content had already germinated even in the storage room before germination test. Seeds with 59% and 54% water content stored at 2℃ and –2℃ germinated in a similar rate, but emergence of above ground part was higher in the seeds with 54% water content. Seeds with 31% and 7% water content stored at 2℃ and –2℃ showed low germination rate, because of fail in stratification or death. Seeds stored at –20℃ scored even lower germination rate and fail in emergence of above ground part. Conclusion : Seed water content and temperature during the cold-stratification period of ginseng seeds affected on the seed viability and germination rate, thus control of seed water content and storage temperature might improve the emergence rate of spring-sowed ginseng filed.

Background : Recently, some ginseng has been greenhouse production within the purse of fresh vegetables. The chemical of bed soil is very important because this leads to the stabilization of production in ginseng cultivation. The objective was to investigate the effects of composition of bed soil type on the growth. Methods and Results : Bed soil was commercial bed soil to the control and compared bed soil in 5 types. Culture nutrient solution was modified from Korea Wonshi nutrient solutions. Nutrient solution supply system has been applied to sub-irrigation system. Light intensity and photoperiod were 100 μmol⋅m-2⋅s-1 and 16 h, respectively; and air temperature was maintained at 25 ± 5℃. Nutrient solution was supplied after transplantation 20 days. Soil sampling was investigated every 30 days, and shoot growth were investigated from 60 to 150 days. Bed soil analysis result, the content of NO3 and P2O5 were significantly changed after 60 days in all types soil. The quantity of NO3 and P2O5 decreased with increase growth period. Also, Growth of roots showed a large influence of the soil pH. Conclusion : Results for ginseng hydroponic culture will enable the production of stable soil environment and efficient ginseng fresh vegetables.

Background: The photosynthetic efficiency cool-season, semi-shade ginseng is normal at low morning temperatures, but drops at high afternoon temperatures. Therefore, optimal plant performance would be ensured if it were possible to control daily light transmission rates (LTR). Methods and Results: Plants were grown in a controlled light environment that replicated 11 AM conditions and comparatively analyzed against plant grown under normal conditions. Growth in the controlled light environment resulted in a 2.81 fold increase in photosynthetic efficiency with no change in chlorophyll content, although LTR were high due to low morning temperatures. Increased aerial plant growth was observed in the ginseng plants adapted to the controlled light environment, which in turn influenced root weight. An 81% increase in fresh root weight (33.3 g per plant on average) was observed in 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment compared to the plants grown following conventional practices (18.4 g per plant on average). With regard to the inorganic composition of leaves of 4-year-old ginseng plants grown in controlled light environment, an increased in Fe content was observed, while Mn and Zn content decreased, and total ginsenoside content of roots increased 2.37 fold. Conclusions: Growth of ginseng under a favorable light environment, such as the condition which exist naturally at 11 AM and are suitable for the plant's photosynthetic activity creates the possibility of large scale production, excellent-quality ginseng.

Background: Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH are important features of nutrient solution, affecting both growth and quality of crops by altering nutrient uptake. Methods and Results: The pH values of nutrient solutions were controlled at 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and EC values were controlled at 0.68, 0.84, 1.23, 1.41 dS/m. Gingesng root weights were higher during the initial growth period when the plants were treated with low pH and low EC nutrient solutions. However, the higher pH and EC levels, the greater the increase in the rate of root weight between the initial and middle growth periods. The highest ginsenoside amount changed during growth period. The total ginsenoside amount was highest in the root, and the lowest in leaves at 45 and 90 days after treatment, respectively, with solution at a pH of 6.0. After 135 days of treatment, the highest total ginsenoside amount was detected in root treated with soluton with EC values of 1.23 dS/m. Conclusions: For the cultivation of ginseng using a nutriculture system, the pH and EC values of nutrient solutions should to be controlled based on the stage of growth and targeted plant organ (root or leaves).

Background : Green house hydroponic ginseng in the production cycle is shorter than the open field cultivation growers and attention. In particular, this part of the Aerial is a study on the active ingredients and contents. Ginseng has been focused on the past producing soil cultivation, producing hydroponic ginseng aerial part is known to have a high content of ginsenosides, and the active ingredient. Irrigation method, the culture soil and nutrient management are the impacts associated with the product's performance on ginseng growth. Ginseng growth stage is divided into five stages: emergence, foliation, root elongation, root enlargement and defoliation. because ginseng requires a water adjustment for each growth stage. It has been trying to control bottom surface irrigation and nutrient concentrations. Methods and Results : Ginseng seedling has been used for experiments to screen a healthy seedling of around 0.8g. Each of the seedling transplanted box was water supplied to the timer and the individual nozzle was 4ℓ amount per hour. All growth measures and sampling was carried out four times a seedling transplantation from 30 to 120 days. Soil sampling each time was a chemical analysis. In addition, the plant was used to analyze the ginsenosides. Conclusion : 12 of total ginsenosides ingredients were highest in the aerial part is 90 days, total ginsenosides of the 10 components in the root part was the highest in 30 days. The results were different this ginsenosides content from time to time, there were differences with previous reports. Results are shown to be due to the difference in the cultivation method and environment.

Background : An important feature of the nutrient solution is that they affect not only the growth but also quality of crops by changing nutrient uptake, especially due to changes of EC in nutrient solution. This study was carried out to investigate effect of EC in nutrient solution on growth and ginsenoside of ginseng. Methods and Results : EC in nutrient solution was controlled with 0.68, 0.84, 1.23, 1.41 dS/m. The root weight of ginseng treated by low EC levels in nutrient solution was higher during the initial of growth. However, the higher EC levels, the more increased the change rate of root weight from the initial to the middle of growth. The highest amount of ginsenoside was changed by growth period. Although the total amount of ginsenoside in root is highest treated by EC 0.68 dS/m at 45 days after treatment. the total amount of ginsenoside in root is highest treated by EC 1.23 dS/m at 135 days after treatment. Conclusions : EC in nutrient solution should to be controlled depending on the stage of growth and the part of use, i.e. root and leaves, when ginseng is cultivated through nutri-culture.