To elucidate the physiological responses of rice plants to the essential mineral silicon (Si), we assessed the effects of treatments with Si, nitrogen (NH4NO3; ammonium nitrate), and calcium (CaCl2; calcium chloride), independently or in combination on mineral uptake rates and levels of the hormones abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA1) and jasmonic acid (JA). We found that nitrogen and calcium uptake was inhibited by Si application. However, solo application of nitrogen or calcium did not affect Si uptake. Compared to the untreated plants, the application of Si, NH4NO3 or CaCl2 increased the endogenous hormone levels in treated plants. In particular, the concentrations of GA1 and JA increased significantly after the application of Si or NH4NO3. The level of GA1 observed after a treatment (solo or combine) with Si, and NH4NO3 was higher than that of the control. By contrast, independent application of CaCl2 or a combined treatment with Si and CaCl2 did not alter GA1 levels. The highest level of GA1 was present in plants given a combination treatment of Si and NH4NO3. This effect was observed at all time points (6 h, 12 h and 24 h). Endogenous JA contents were higher in all treatments than the control. In particular, a combination treatment with Si and NH4NO3 significantly increased the JA levels in plants compared to other treatments at all time points. A small increase in JA levels was observed after 6 h in plants given the CaCl2 treatment. However, JA levels did not differ between plants given a CaCl2 treatment and controls after 12 h or 24 h of exposure. We conclude that treatment with CaCl2 alone does not affect endogenous JA levels in the short term. Endogenous ABA contents did not show any differences among the various treatments.

The management and the use of major mineral nutriments such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, etc have been practiced and improved in various cultivating methods of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. The purposes of this study were to examine the content of major mineral nutrients on different ginseng aging from 1 to 6 years old, to analyze their uptake and utilization in tissues of ginseng, and to find out their proper managing techniques throughout the cultivation of ginseng. In case of the leaves, the N content was not clearly different from 1 to 6 years old, while the content of P and K was generally decreased throughout the cultivating years. In case of the roots, the content of N and K was gradually decreased from 1 to 6 years old, while the P content was increased until 3 years old, decreased at 4 years old, increased again at 5 years old, and decreased again at 6 years old. The uptake amount of N was increased in root of ginseng from 1 to 6 years old, 0.02 to 2.79kg/10a based on dry weight, respectively. Other minerals of P, K, Ca, and Mg were increased for the cultivating year. Comparing the uptake amounts of N, P, K with different cultivating year, they were the highest uptake amount at 4 years old and then were decreased. The management techniques of major mineral in cultivation of ginseng would be studied and evaluated more in order to have better ginseng production.

The roots of Platycodon grandiflorum has been widely used as a crude drug or a food stuff. Unfortunately, the output and the quality is not regular and highly dependent on the cultivation area and cultivation method. Therefore, seedling cultivation study of this plant under structure with various fertilizer supply was performed. As a result, significant big difference between ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen content was shown in the root at seedling stage while the difference was not significant in the aerial parts. Fresh weight of the root (7.73 g plant-1) was higher in the group treated with three major nutrients (N, P and K) than in those treated with three major nutrients and calcium or magnesium or both calcium and magnesium, and non-treated group (2.69 g plant-1). Total nitrogen content was recognized to be significantly correlated with root weight, plant height, number of leaves and weight of aerial parts. Ammonium nitrogen content was more correlated the growth of P. grandiflorum than nitrate nitrogen. For phosphoric acid, significant correlation was also shown with the four growth factors.