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.