Background: Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is wood-cultivated ginseng (WCG) in Korea which depends on an artificial forest growth method. To produce this type of ginseng, various P. ginseng cultivars can be used. To obtain a WCG similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method is usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. Recently, the WCG industry is suffering a problem in that Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen or Panax quinquefolium L. are being sold as WCG Korean market; These morphological similarities have created confusion among customers. Methods and Results: WCG samples were collected from five areas in Korea. After polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the primer pair labeled with fluorescence dye (FAM, NED, PET, or VIC), fragment analysis were performed. PCR products were separated by capillary electrophoresis with an ABI 3730 DNA analyzer. From the results, WCG cultivated in Korea showed very diverse genetic background. Conclusions: In this study, we tried to develop a method to discriminate between WCG, P. notoginseng or P. quinquefolium using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Furthermore, we analyzed the genetic diversity of WCG collected from five cultivation areas in Korea.

Background : Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a perennial herb belongs to the family Araliaceae. Wild-cultivated ginseng (WCG) is a specific type of ginseng in Korea which cultivated on artificial forest cultivation method. To obtain a WCG which is similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. WCG is very expensive because it is difficult to cultivate. However, systematic cultivation method have not yet been developed compared to high added value. Furthermore, very high price of WCG caused the problem that Panax notoginseng or Panax quinquefolium are sold as WCG in Korean market. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of WCG collected from five areas in Korea using SSR markers. Methods and Results : WCG samples were collected from five areas in Korea (Bucheon, Cheongju, Hoengseong, Judeok and Ulsan). DNA extraction was performed using CTAB method. SSR markers were collected from the published papers. After test PCR using the markers, one of the primer pair was labeled with fluorescence dye (FAM, NED, PET, or VIC) and GeneScan analysis were performed. DNA amplification was conducted using T-100 Thermal Cycler (Bio-Rad). PCR products were separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3730 DNA analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Conclusion : Eight SSR markers were collected from the published literature and used for the analysis. From the 8 tested SSR markers, 7 SSR markers showed polymorphism between varieties. GenScan analysis were performed using the selected SSR markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of WCG. From the results, WCG cultivated in Korea showed that they have a very diverse genetic background.

Background : Wild-cultivated ginseng (WCG) prices are very different according to root ages. Generally, two methods are used to discriminate the root ages of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. The first method is the yearly determination method by the ring dyeing method, and the second method is the confirmation the number of stem vestiges in the rhizome. In this study, we analyzed the agronomic and growth characteristics of the WCG cultivated in Korea. In this study, to determine the appropriate root ages discrimination method for the determination of the root ages of WCG, the root ages of WCG and cultivated ginseng was examined. Methods and Results : We examined the cultivated ginseng (CG) and WCG that was collected and sold by regional groups at the Korean market. WCG does not form annual rings, which are clear and regular in wild ginseng. Therefore, it is impossible to identify the age of WCG by using the annual growth rings staining method. However, the age can be estimated by determining the number of stem vestiges in the rhizome. Conclusion : From the results of the Study on identification of root age for quality evealuation in WCG in Korea. Appropriate root ages discrimination method of WCG was confirmation the number of stem vestiges in the rhizome.

Background : Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a representative medicinal plants and it has been used in traditional medicine because the plant have many effective component such as saponins. To obtain a wild-cultivated ginseng (WCG) which is similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. WCG is very expensive because it is difficult to cultivate. However, systematic cultivation method have not been developed compared to their high added value. Furthermore, very high price of WCG caused the problem that Panax notoginseng or Panax quinquefolium are sold as WCG in Korean market. This is concerned as a serious problem to consumers. In this study, we analyzed the agronomic and growth characteristics of the WCG cultivated in Korea. Methods and Results : We examined the WCG that was collected and sold by regional groups at the Korean market. The root age, growth conditions, and quality level of the cultivated WCG were confirmed. WCG samples were collected from five areas in Korea (Bucheon, Cheongju, Hoengseong, Judeok and Ulsan). The main root diameter, root shape index, rhizome length, and root weight showed high level of variation and they did not form annual rings. Conclusion : Agronomic and growth characteristics of WCG showed high variations according to cultivating regions.

Background : Wild-cultivated P. ginseng (WCG) is a specific ginseng in Korea which depends on artificial forest growth method. To obtain a WCG which is similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. Recently, very high price of WCG caused the problem that Panax notoginseng or Panax quinquefolium are sold as WCG in Korean market. This is concerned as a serious problem to consumers. In this study, we tried to develop a method to discriminate WCG, CG or WG using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and phylogenetic analysis. Methods and Results : WCG samples (3, 5, or 6-years old) were collected in Hoengseong, Gangwondo. DNA extraction was performed using CTAB method. SSR markers were collected from the published papers. After test PCR using the markers, one of the primer pair was labeled with fluorescence dye (FAM, NED, PET, or VIC) and Gene Scan analysis were performed. NTsys-PC program was used for the phylogenetic analysis of the data. Eight SSR markers were collected from the published literature and used for the analysis. From the 8 tested SSR markers, 7 SSR markers showed polymorphism between varieties. GenScan analysis were performed using the selected SSR markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of WCG. Conclusion : Phylogenetic analysis showed the relationship between WCG and P. ginseng cultivars and the seven SSR markers used in this study are able to distinguish Wild-cultivated P. ginseng.

Saponin and ginsenosides are very important as medicinal components of ginseng. These components are significantly different according to Panax species, cultivation area, or manufactured products. In this research, we comparatively analyzed the characteri