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: Some phenolics detected in the soil may inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of ginseng (Panax ginseng). This study investigated the effect of irrigation and ginseng root residue addition on the soil microbial community and root rot disease in 2-year-old ginseng. Methods and Results: Each 20 ℓ pot was filled with soil infected with ginseng root rot pathogens, and irrigated daily with 2 ℓ of water for one month. After the irrigation treatment, ginseng fine root powder was mixed with the irrigated soil at a rate of 20 g per pot. In descending order, NO3 −, electric conductivity (EC), exchangeable Na (Ex. Na) and K (Ex. K) decreased due to irrigation. In descending order, NO3 −, EC, Ex. K, and available P2O5 increased with the additon of ginseng powder to the soil. The abundance of Trichoderma crassum decreased with irrigation, but increased again with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Haematonectria haematococca increased with irrigation, but decreased with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Cylindrocarpon spp. and Fusarium spp., which cause ginseng root rot, increased with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Arthrobacter oryzae and Streptomyces lavendulae increased with irrigation. The abundance of Streptomyces lavendulae decreased, and that of Arthrobacter spp. increased, with the incorporation of ginseng powder. Aerial growth of ginseng was promoted by irrigation, and ginseng root rot increased with the incorporation of ginseng powder. Conclusions: Ginseng root residues in the soil affected soil nutrients and microorganisms, and promoted ginseng root rot, but did not affect the aerial growth of ginseng.

Background : Root rot is a major factors of replanting failure in ginseng cultivation. Some of the phenolics detected in the soil could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of ginseng. Methods and Results : Water of 2 ℓ was irrigated per pot (20 ℓ) into the soil infected with ginseng root rot pathogens for one month every day. After the irrigation treatment, the powder of ginseng fine root of 20 g per pot was mixed with the irrigated soil. NO3 -, electric conductivity (EC), exchangeable Na (Ex. Na) and K (Ex. K) were decreased in descending order by irrigation. NO3 -, EC, Ex. K, and available P2O5 were increased in descending order by incorporation of ginseng powder into soil. Trichoderma crassum was decreased by irrigation, but it was increased again by incorporation of powder. Haematonectria haematococca was increased by irrigation, but it was decreased by incorporation of powder. Cylindrocarpon spp. and Fusarium spp. causing ginseng root rot were increased by incorporation of powder. Arthrobacter oryzae and Streptomyces lavendulae were increased by irrigation. Streptomyces lavendulae was decreased, and Arthrobacter spp. was increased by incorporation of powder. Aerial growth of ginseng was promoted by irrigation, and ginseng root rot was increased by incorporation of powder. Conclusion : The residues of ginseng root in the soil affected soil nutrients and microorganisms, and promoted ginseng root rot, but did not affect the aerial growth of ginseng.

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 : Replant failure of ginseng is caused by soil-born pathogens causing root rot such as Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium solani. 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 of field 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. Maize cultivation after May fumigation was delayed the sowing day by 15 days, and the fresh and dry weight 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 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 among treatments, but Fusarium solani showed a significant increase in September fumigation after maize cultivation. Conclusion : Maize cultivation after soil fumigation was effective in inhibiting ginseng root rot by improvement of mineral composition and microorganism in soils.

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: The application of crop rotation systems may reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases by releasing allelochemicals and by subsequent microbial decomposition. Methods and Results: For reduction of ginseng root rot by the crop rotation system, after harvesting 6-year-old ginseng, fresh ginseng was grown along with continuous cultivation of sweet potato, peanut, and bellflower. Growth of 2-year-old ginseng was significantly inhibited in the continuous cultivation than in the first cultivation. Sweet potato, peanut and bellflower cultivations assisted in obtaining normal yields of ginseng in the first year after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng. Salt concentration, potassium and sodium contents were gradually decreased, and, organic matter was gradually increased through cirp rotation. Phosphate, calcium and magnesium contents were not altered. The density of the root rot fungus was gradually decreased by the increase in crop rotation; however it was decreased distinctly in the first year compared to the second and third year. The severity of root rot disease tended to decrease gradually by the increase of crop rotation. Conclusions: Short-term crop rotation for three years promoted the growth of ginseng, however root rot infection was not inhibited significantly, although it was somewhat effective in lowering the density of the root rot pathogen.

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 : The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins) Scholten is the cause of root rot in many ginseng production areas. Root exudate composition and quantity vary in relation to plant nutritional status, but the impact of the differences on rhizosphere microbial communities is not known. Methods and Results : Five kinds of rotation crops, sudan grass soybean peanut sweet potato, perilla were grown for one year in ginseng garden harvested 6-year-old ginseng. The ratio of gram-negative bacteria, fungi, bacteria, total microbial biomass, aerobic/anaerobic microbes were increased by rotational crop cultivation, while the ratio of actinomycetes and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The increase in the fungal density or the increase in the proportion of fungi to the bacteria tended to increase the incidence of root rot, but there was no significant difference. The yield of ginseng root showed a highly significant negative correlation with actinomycetes. The correlation between the soil chemical properties and the incidence of root rot was analyzed by cultivating 23 kinds of green manure crops for one year in field where cultivated ginseng continuously. The survival rate of ginseng showed a highly significant positive correlation with soil acidity and a highly significant negative correlation with nitrate nitrogen, and a significant negative correlation with soil salt concentration. Conclusion : Rotation crops improved soil microbial communities, lowered the rate of fungi and increased the proportion of bacteria, the survival rate of ginseng was significantly correlated with soil acidity, nitrate nitrogen and soil salinity.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as plants. Incorporating into soil as green manures are effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated green manure into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. Sorghum sudanense, Helianthus annuus, and Helianthus tuberosus were relatively high in dry matter production. Without incorporating green manure into soil, NO3, EC (electric conductivity) and K were decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. When green manure was incorporated to soil, P2O5 and NO3, were reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The survived root ratio of 2-year-old ginseng were significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3% in Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus, respectively, In addition, there was a significant increase in Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius. The survived root ratio of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with soil pH and a negative correlation with NO3, and EC. Conclusion: Cultivation of Chrysanthemum family mainly using rhizome and root as green manure was effective for root rot disease of ginseng.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as other plants. Incorporating such plant into soil as green manure is effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. In the absence of green manure addition, the NO3 content, electric conductivity (EC), and K content decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. In the presence of green manure addition, P2O5 and NO3 contents reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The “survived root ratio” of 2-year-old ginseng significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3%, in the Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus treatment, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the “survived root ratio” in the Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius treatments. The “survived root ratio” of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with the soil pH and a negative correlation with the NO3 contents, and EC. Conclusions: Cultivation of plant form the Chrysanthemum family as green manure, using mainly the rhizomes was effective for the control of root rot disease of ginseng.