The effect of the surrounding vegetation on the seed germination and growth of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) was investigated. Seed germination rate and growth were tested for allelopathy effects on four forest tree species after treatment with fallen leaves and leaf extracts. In the case of soil treatment through fallen leaves and crushed leaves, the germination rate was lower in the Quercus myrsinifolia treatments, and the average germination time was slower when Chamaecyparis obtusa was treated. In the case of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis, which are used in most of the MCG cultivation areas, they did not have a significant effect on seed germination. In the fallen leaves treatments, the stem showed a tendency to lengthen. The hot water extract treatment showed a higher germination percentage than the cold water extract treatment. The extract treatment showed a deficient germination percentage of some MCG seeds. However, in the case of the treatments except for this, the germination percentage was similar to that of the control treatment. However, the Mean Germination Time, germination rate, and germination value were faster and higher than the control treatment. As a result of calculating the allelopathic index (AI) of MCG according to the extract treatment of 4 species, most had a negative effect on germination, and P. densiflora and Q. variabilis extracts showed the most significant effect. The ginsenoside content was higher in the fallen leaves treatment than in the control. The above results will help select and manage MCG plantations.

본 연구는 전국 임의의 산양삼 재배지를 선정하여 재배 지 내의 토양 특성 및 토양세균군집을 분석하고, 토양이 화학적 특성, 토양세균군집 및 산양삼 생육특성 간의 상관 관계를 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 토양세균군집 분석은 pyrosequencing analysis (Illumina platform)를 이용하였고, 토양세균군집과 생육특성 간의 상관관계는 Spearman’s rank correlation을 이용하여 분석하였다. 8개 산양삼 재배 지로부터 분리한 토양세균군집은 2개의 군집으로 군집화를 이루는 것을 확인하였다. 모든 토양샘플에서 Proteobacteria와 Alphaproteobacteria가 각각 35.4%, 24.4%로 가장 높은 상대적 빈도수를 보였다. 산양삼의 생육은 토양 pH가 낮고 Acidobacteria의 상대적 빈도수가 높은 토양에서 증가 하였으며, Acidobacteriia (class)와 Koribacteraceae (family)의 상대적 빈도수는 산양삼의 생육과 유의적인 정의 상관관계를 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 토양세균군 집과 산양삼 생육 간의 상관관계를 구명하는 중요한 자료가 될 것으로 생각되고, 나아가 산양삼 재배 이전에 산양삼의 생육에 유용한 토양세균군집을 확인할 수 있다면 산양삼 재배적지를 선정하는데 도움을 줄 수 있을 것이다. 또한 토양이화학성과 더불어 임상 및 주변식생에 따른 토양 세균군집과 산양삼 생육특성에 대한 상관관계 연구를 추 가로 수행한다면 보다 명확한 정보를 대한 제공할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구에서는 나노버블수로 재배한 새싹인삼(NB-4)과 일반수로 4개월간 재배한 새싹인삼(NA-4)의 이화학적 차이와 조사포닌 및 진세노사이드의 함량을 비교하여 나노버블수로 재배한 새싹인삼의 우수성을 확인하였다. 또한 NB-4 새싹인삼의 상업적 적용 가능성에 대한 기초자료를 확보하고자 시판 효소 3종으로 가수분해하여 이화학적 특성 및 항산화 활성을 비교 하였다. 생장 특성에서는 NB-4 새싹인삼이 NA-4 새싹인삼에 비해 길이나 굵기 면에서 더 높은 생육 증진 효과가 확인되었다. 잎과 뿌리 모두에서 회분과 조지방 함량은 시료간에 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 조사포닌 함량은 NB-4 새싹인삼에서 더 높았으며, 총 진세노사이드 함량은 NA-4가 더 높았는데 특히 잎에서의 Rb2 함량은 NB-4 새싹인삼에 더 높았다. 총 페놀화합물의 함량은 NB-4의 잎과 NA-4의 뿌리에서 유의적으로 높은 함량이었고, 플라보노이드는 잎에서만 검출되었으며, NB-4와 NA-4 간에는 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 상대적으로 조사포닌 함량이 높았던 NB-4를 viscozyme, cellulast 및 fungamyl 각각으로 가수분해 한 결과 viscozyme으로 가수분해 했을 때, pH는 가장 낮고, 산도, 환원당 함량과 총 페놀화합물의 함량은 가장 높았다. 효소 분해물의 항산화 효능을 DPPH와 ABTS 라디칼소거능으로 평가한 결과 각각 viscozyme과 fungamyl 분해물의 항산화 활성이 우수한 것으로 확인되었다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때 나노버블수로 재배한 새싹인삼에서 사포닌함량이 더 높으며, 효소분해물 제조시는 적용되는 효소에 따라 항산화 활성을 높일 수 있으므로 액상 추출물의 제조에는 효소의 적용이 적합한 것으로 판단된다.

This study conducts a comparative analysis on the difference in profitability between organically cultivated ginseng and conventionally cultivated ginseng, based on their cultivation characteristics, in order to promote the production and consumption of organic ginseng. The production quantity of organically cultivated ginseng per 10 a was 40% less than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng for both four- and six-year-old roots. In the case of four-year-old roots, although the production cost of organically cultivated ginseng was 60% higher than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng, the net profit was higher by 70%, owing to its higher selling price. In the case of six-year-old roots, the production cost of organically cultivated ginseng was 10% higher than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng, but the net profit was lower by 10%, owing to a low selling price. The reduction in production costs must be supported by a reduction in land lease and labor costs by expanding the cultivation area, a reduction of pest control costs through the self-production of environmentally friendly materials, and an improvement in the certification of perennial crops that can reduce certification costs. A reduction in production costs can lead to a decrease in consumer prices, which, in turn, would promote an increase in consumption among general consumers. Moreover, as a measure to increase the production yield per unit area, the soil nutrient content must be increased by selecting high-quality planned sites and implementing planned site management in order to increase the proportion of organic fertilizers. Furthermore, these must be supported by improved cultivation methods, which suppress early defoliation, and enhanced cultivation technology. In addition to these methods, establishing producer cooperatives in order to expand production can stabilize supply, which can increase sales through export and processing companies. Moreover, uniformity in product quality through producer cooperatives can contribute to building consumer confidence.

본 연구는 인삼 유기재배에서 생육후기 양분 부족으로 인한 조기낙엽 발생과 이로 인한 수량감소의 문제를 해결하기 위하여 추비용으로 활용이 가능한 농자재로 퇴비차의 적용 가능성를 검토하기 위하여 수행하였다. 퇴비차 제조는 호기성 발효방법으로 하였으며 퇴비원료(폐버섯퇴비, 우분퇴비)와 추출용액(물, SCB액비)을 달리하여 제조한 퇴비차의 양분함량과 미생물 밀도를 조사하고, 인삼을 대상으로 퇴비차 시용 효과 시험를 실시하였다. 4년근 유기농 재배농가 포장에서 퇴비차 시용이 인삼의 지상부 생육, 지하부 생육, 엽색도 유지와 조기낙엽 방지에 미치는 영향에 대하여 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 퇴비차 제조 중 pH와 EC는 발효 종료시점에 상승하였다. 퇴비차 제조 중 EC의 변화는 물 기반 퇴비차의 경우 0.5 ~ 1.2 mS·m로 낮았으나 SCB액비 기반 퇴비차에서는 3.5 ~ 4.1 mS·m로 높았다. 가축분뇨 퇴비차와 SCB액비 기반 퇴비차의 질소, 칼륨 등 무기성분 함량은 관행의 물을 추출용액으로 한 퇴비차 보다 높았다. 2. 가축분뇨 퇴비차의 세균밀도는 2.8 × 107로 폐버섯퇴비차보다 높았고 방선균과 사상균의 밀도는 폐버섯퇴비차에서 가축분뇨퇴비차 보다 높아졌다. 3. 인삼 지상부 생육은 SCB액비 기반 퇴비차 시용구에서 인삼의 엽장, 엽폭이 높았다. 엽록소 측정치는 퇴비차 시용구에서 17.5 ~ 18.3로 무처리구의 14.7 보다 2.8 ~ 3.6 높았고, 낙엽율은 33.8%로 무처리의 52.5% 보다 18.7% 낮아져 퇴비차 시용으로 인삼 잎의 노화를 지연시켰다. 4. 퇴비차의 시용은 인삼의 지하부 특성인 동체직경과 동체장은 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았으나 근장과 주당 근중은 퇴비차 시용구에서 대조구 보다 높았다.

생체 내 실험에서 발효 인삼꽃 추출물(FM), 발효하지 않은 인삼꽃 추출물(FD)과 대조군으로 생리식염수를 2주간 마우스 체중 ㎏ 당 100, 200 ㎎/㎏ B.W.의 농도로 마우스에 경구 투여한 후 LPS에 의해 활성화된 복강 대식세포가 분비하는 염증성 사이토카인 IL-6, TNF-α의 생성량을 측정하였다. 그 결과, IL-6는 발효 LPS로 자극한 경우, 두 가지 농도에서 모두 처리한 군에 비해 높은 증식능을 나타내었고, LPS로 자극한 결과, 특히 발효 인삼꽃 추출물 200 ㎎/㎏ B.W. 농도에서 유의적으로 낮은 IL-6 분비량을 보였다. TNF-α의 경우, 100 ㎎/㎏ B.W.와 200 ㎎/㎏ B.W. 두 농도 모두에서 LPS로 자극하지 않은 경우, 낮은 증식 효과를 보여주었고, 자극한 경우, 인삼꽃 시료를 첨가한 군이 대조군보다 낮은 TNF-α 분비량을 보였으며, FM에서 FD보다 더 TNF-α를 억제하는 효과가 큰 것을 볼 수 있었다. 이상의 결과에 따르면 FD의 사이토카인 IL-6, TNF-α 생성 효과는 200 ㎎/㎏ B.W. 농도 투여 시 효과적으로 면역 세포와 면역 기관의 주요 기능을 증진시킬 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 연구결과를 토대로 앞으로 인삼꽃 발효를 이용한 기능성 사료 개발과 더불어 산업적 측면에서 보다 긍정적인 효과를 얻을 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

This study was conducted to investigate the difference of general feature and ginsenoside content of 6 years old ginseng root among different grade of roots. Total weight of a 1st grade-6 years old ginseng root was 115.1g and weight, length, diameter and specific gravity of main root were 64.68g, 8.39cm, 3.31cm and 0.96, respectively. Main root of 1st grade ginseng root was larger in size and specific gravity and more heavy than that of End or 3rd grade of the roots. Though crude saponin contents were not so different among the different grade of roots, but ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1 and Re content were higher in 1st grade of root than that of 2nd or 3rd grade of root. Those ginsenosides were located mainly in periderm and cortex.

고려인삼(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) 잎 중의 가용성 invertase를 탈이온수로 추출한 후 황산암모늄 0, 4∼0.6 포화획분에 의하여 조제하였으며 이의 효소화힉적 성질을 검토한 결과는 다음과 같다. 본 효소의 최적 pH와 온도는 pH 6.0과 40℃ 였으며 pH 6.0∼8.0 범위와 40℃ 이하에서 안정하였다. Protease 및 단백질 변성제 처리에 의하여 활성이 현저히 저하되었으며 glycosidase에 의해서는 저해를 받지 않았다. 본 효소는 sucrose와 inulin 등의 β-fructofuranoside 결합을 가진 기질에 특이적으로 작용하여 전형적인 β-fructofuranosidase의 성질을 나타내었다.

These experiments were conducted to investigate the nematicidal effects of the insecticides, Mocap(O-Ethyl-S, S-dipropyl phosphorodithioate), Carbofuran(2,3-Dihydro-2,2-dimethyl benzofuranyl ethyl carbamate), Terbufos (S-tert-buthylthio methyl O,O-diethyl phosphordithioate) and their mixtures (Mocap+carbofuran, Mocap+Terbufos, Carbofuran+Terbufos) on growth of 2year-old ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, and the control of root-knot nematodes. There was no evidence of plant injury from insecticide treatment of ginseng, although the rate of emergence of the treated ginseng was slightly inhibited. The insecticide treatments showed no of-flavor of ginseng plant. Terbufos and Mocap provided heifer confrol of the root-knot nematodes than carbofuran alone and their mixtures. Mixtures of the insecticides showed antagonisitic effect to the root-knot nematodes.

D-D외 3종의 토양훈증제를 인삼의 연작토에 15cm, 30cm 깊이로 처리하였을 때 2년생인삼의 생육과 화학적조성에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해서 본 시험을 실시하였다. 1980년 3월 7일 처리, 4월 1일 이식, 8월 19일에 채취하여 근, 경, 엽으로 나누어 일반 무기성분(N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn)을 분석한바 그 결과는 다음과 같았다. 1. 훈증제처리가 2년생인삼의 지상하부의 생육을 촉진하였는데, 지하부 생체중의 경우 , 건물중의 경우 증가하였다. 2. 지상하부의 질소와 인산의 함량은 훈증제처리구에서 무처리구에 비하여 증가하였으나, a의 경우에는 오히려 감소하는 경향을 보였다. K의 경우에 있어서는 지하부에서는 함량이 감소하였으나, 지하부에서는 증가하였다. 3. 미량요소의 경우에 있어서는 Mn, Fe의 함량은 훈증제처리구에서 증가하였으나, Na, Zn의 함량에는 큰 영향을 미치지 못하였다. 4. 훈증제의 처리깊이(15cm, 30cm)에 따른 차이에서 보면 2년생인삼의 생육과 화학적조성에는 별다른 차이를 볼 수 없었다.

The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative growth characteristics and ginenoside contents of wild-simulated ginseng on different years (7 and 13-year-old) by monitoring soil properties of cultivation regions. Plant and soil samples were collected from 6 different cultivation regions. Soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) were significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng cultivation regions compared to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng cultivation regions. Growth characteristics of wild-simulated ginseng had shown significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng compared to 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. Ginsenoside G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1 were significantly higher in 13-year-old wild-simulated ginseng than 7-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. According to the results of correlation analysis, soil OM, TN and CEC of the cultivated regions were positively correlated with the growth of wild-simulated ginseng. In addition, the root length of wild-simulated ginseng showed positive correlation with ginsenoside content. Hence, this study was able to investigate the correlation between growth and ginsenoside content of wild-simulated ginseng based on soil characteristics of the cultivation regions.

본 연구는 7년, 13년근 산양삼의 생육특성과 진세노사이드 (G) 함량 간의 상관관계를 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 6개소의 산양삼의 생육특성을 조사한 결과, 뇌두길이, 뿌리길이, 생중량, 단면적, 표면적, 부피에 있어 13년근 산양삼이 7년근 산양삼에 비하여 유의적으로 높은 것을 확인하였다. 진세노사이드 11종에 대한 함량은 G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2 함량이 13년근 산양삼이 7년근 산양삼 보다 유의적으로 높은 수치를 확인하였다. 또한 산양삼과 인삼(재배삼) 진세노사이드 함량 을 비교한 결과, 13년 산양삼에서 G-Rb1, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1이 4 년, 5년근 인삼(재배삼)에 비해 유의적으로 함량이 높은 것으로 확인되었다. 산양삼 연근별 생육특성과 진세노사이드 함량 간의 상관관계를 분석한 결과, G-Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2 함량은 뇌두길이, 생중량, 단면적, 표면적, 부피와 유의정인 정의 상관관계를 보였으며, G-Rb1, Re, Rf, Rg2는 줄기직경 과 부의 상관관계를 확인하였다. 본 연구는 산양삼의 7년근과 13년근을 대상으로 생육특성과 진세노사이드 함량 상관관계를 구명함으로써 연근에 따른 품질규격 정립에 유용한 정보를 제공 할 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 고품질 산양삼 생산을 위한 표준재배기술 개발을 위해 산양삼의 생육특성과 재배지의 입지환경 간의 상관관계를 구명하고자 하였다. 전국 9지역의 산양삼 재배지를 선정하여 13년생 산양삼의 생육특성을 조사하고, 각 재배지의 임상 및 토양 이화학성을 분석하여 입지환경과 산양삼 생육특성과의 상관관계를 확인하였다. 총 9개의 재배지 중에서 산양삼의 생육특성은 거창과 함양 재배지에서 다른 재배지에 비해 유의적으로 높은 것으로 나타났다. 임산과의 상관관계를 확인한 결과, 산양삼의 부피는 재배지 임상의 흉고직경과 유의적인 정의 상관관계를 보였고, 활엽수의 비율과 유의적인 부의 상관관계, 침엽수의 비율과는 유의적인 정의 상관관계를 보였다. 침엽수의 비율이 100%로 확인된 영월 재배지의 산양삼 생육특성이 다른 재배지 에 비해 유의적으로 높지 않은 것으로 확인되어, 이러한 결과는 침활혼효림에서 침엽수의 비율과 상관관계가 있는 것으로 판단 된다. 토양 특성과의 상관관계 분석에서는 재배지 토양의 pH, K, Ca, Mg과 생육특성 간의 유의적인 부의 상관관계를 확인할 수 있었다. 이와 같이 산양삼의 생육특성과 입지환경 간의 상관 관계를 분석한 결과, 산양삼의 생육은 재배지 임상의 흉고직경 이 크고, 침활혼효림에서 침엽수의 비율이 높으며, 토양의 pH, K, Ca, Mg 함량이 높지 않은 재배지에서 적합하다는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과를 통해 산양삼 재배에 적합한 재배적지의 입지환경 조건을 확인할 수 있었고, 산양삼은 7~20년 동안 무농약, 무비료의 청정환경에서 생산하는 것이 원칙이기 때문에 본 연구의 결과를 활용하여 향후 산양삼의 예상재배지를 선정하는데 있어 도움을 줄 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

The this study was carried out to investigate the growth characteristics of wild-simulated ginseng by direct seeding and transplanting cultivation for develop standard cultivation techniques of wild-simulated ginseng. Bonghwa experimental field were confirm to be suitable location environment for cultivation of wild-simulated ginseng. As a result of this study, the germination rate of wild-simulated ginseng was significantly highest when seed size was over 6.5 ㎜ in the spot seeding cultivation. In the case of transplanting, survival rate was significantly increased when the diameter of root was over 10 ㎜, planting distance was 7 ㎝, and the thickness of soil covering was less then 2 ㎝. The result of growth characteristics of wild-simulated ginseng by cultivation type, growth of stem in spot seeding cultivation was showed significantly increased when seed size over 6 ㎜, seeding number was 3 grains, and the seeding distance was less then 5 ㎝. Strip seeding cultivation was showed significantly increased in stem and root growth when seeding distance was 30 ㎝ grains and quantity of seeding was less then 23 g. In the case of transplanting cultivation, it’s was showed significantly increased in stem growth when diameter of root was over then 10 ㎜ and direction of rhizome was top and bottom. The results of this study was that to clearly establish the techniques of cultivation of managements and it’s will be suggest contribute to the industrial activation of wild-simulated ginseng.

Background: The growth process of ginseng seedlings is very important in producing good quality ginseng. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different microclimates on the growth characteristics of ginseng seedlings in a multi-layer bed facility. Methods and Results: Ginseng seedlings were cultivated in a three-layer bed facility. The air temperatures on the first and second floors were similar, while that on the third floor was about 1 - 4℃ higher than that on the other floors. The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was higher inside than on the outside of the facility, and that on third floor was the highest in the multi-layer bed system. The photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth characteristics of ginseng seedlings did not significantly differ among the three floors. The yield of ginseng seedlings was the highest at 721 g/1.62 ㎡ on the first floor Conclusions: It was found that microclimate plays an important role in growing ginseng seedlings in multi-layer bed facilities, and therefore proper environmental control is important. In addition, producing ginseng seedlings using multi-layer bed facilities is a technology that is expected to provide a way to overcome climate change and stabilize ginseng production.

Background : Korean ginseng require 3 - 4 years to produce mature seeds from their mother plants. Therfore, it takes over 20 years to genetic fixation by artificial crossing of 8 generation. Anther culture is a useful method for obtaining homozygotes in only one generation. However, there is not much research on ginseng yet. In this study, we investigated the callus induction of anther depending on the type and concentration of the plant growth regulators in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Methods and Results : Flower buds of P. ginseng were cold pretreated at 2 days before the anthers were plated on the induction medium. The flower buds were immersed in 70% ethanol for 30 sec min, washed two times with sterile distilled water, surface-sterilized in 2% sodium hypochlorite solution for 20 min, then rinsed five times with sterile distilled water. The anthers were placed on Petri dishes containting fifteen different concentrations and combinations of 2,4-D, NAA, BAP and KT. Callus induction was significantly influenced by the type and combination of plant growth regulators. The highest callus induction rate was observed in GR5 medium at 79.2%. The 2,4-D mediums had significantly higher callus induction than the NAA medium, and 2,4-D 1 ㎎/ℓ have a higher callus induction rate than the other concentrations. The increase of callus induction rate was not observed by the addition of cytokinin, but the callus induction rate was gradually decreased as the BAP concentration was increased. There was no difference in callus induction rate between BAP and KT. Conclusion : The important factor for inducing callus of ginseng anther was the addition of 2,4-D, and no effect of cytokinin addition could be found.

Background : Mutagenesis is one of the most powerful method for genetic variation, however there is little research history in P. ginseng. The seeds and vegetative tissues are materials commonly used for mutagenesis, but there is a problem that chimeras known as sectoral differences can occur and unintentional poor selection can occur owing to the influence of the growth environment. The combination of in vitro culture and mutagenesis can eliminate the effects of the environmental factors. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. The explants containing the somatic embryos were treated with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Gy. Gamma-rays affected the somatic embryos produced in vitro depending on the dose. The survival rate of somatic embryo was significantly influenced by gamma irradiation. Also, the development of the embryo was changed by gamma irradiation depending on each dose. When somatic embryos were transferred to the medium supplemented with GA3, they started to germinate but were affected significantly by gamma irradiation dose. When germinated shoots were transferred to 1/2 SH medium to induce rooting, as the concentration of gamma ray treatment increased, the rooting gradually decreased. Conclusion : Considering the overall survival rate, germination rate, embryo development, and rooting rate, the optimal dose of gamma rays to be used with somatic embryo is estimated to be between 60 Gy and 80 Gy.

Background : Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is an important medicinal herb and their major pharmacologically active components are ginsenosides. Many studies have reported that various ginsenosides are effective in the treatment of human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and alzheimer’s disease. However, it is difficult to create new desirable variation such as increased ginsenosides. Since the frequency of spontaneous mutations is rare naturally and difficult to apply to plant breeding, artificial mutation inductions are necessary to obtain noble genetic resources having desirable traits. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. One-year-old ginsengs were treated at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Gy. The emergence rate was significantly decreased with increasing gamma doses. When irradiated at more than 80 Gy, it did not emerge at all. Survival rate was also significantly influenced by gamma-ray dose. The maximum survival rate were recorded in control. The survival rate of 20 Gy was 22.0% and only 1.0% survived when 40 Gy dose was treated. There was no survival when irradiated at more than 60 Gy. Gamma irradiation also affected the phenotype of emerged plants. The growth of plants derived from irradiated one-year-old ginsengs was decreased and the leaves became variegated or curled. Also, rusty roots resulting from physiological disorders were observed and the rhizomes, which is a kind of dormant bud, were destroyed completely. Conclusion : Based on these results, we estimated the optimal dose for mutation induction by gamma-ray treatment of one-year-old ginseng is to be less than 20 Gy.

Background : The conventional ginseng breeding is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, it is difficult to create new desirable variation such as resistant to various stresses and increased ginsenosides. Therefore, creating variants remains a serious challenge of ginseng breeding. Methods and Results : Gamma irradiation was carried out using a 60Co irradiator (3000Ci, Nordion Inc., Ottawa, Canada) of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Korea. The dehiscent seeds were treated 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200 and 400 Gy. The seed germination was greatly influenced by gamma-ray treatment. It was found that the germination rate decreased significantly when treated at 60 Gy or more. The maximum survival rate was achieved at 20 Gy but there was no significant difference from control. Following exposure to 40 Gy or more, survival rate was declined compared to the control. Gamma irradiation affected not only the germination and survival rate but also the growth of plants germinated from seeds. As gamma irradiation dose increased, the size of the plant decreased sharply and it also had a negative effect on root development. Conclusion : Considering the extent of reduction in the germination and survival rates, as well as growth reduction, the optimal dose of gamma-ray for inducing mutation in ginseng dehiscent seeds was estimated at approximately 40 Gy, because the germination rate observed at 40 Gy was similar to that of the observed in the control, while the survival rate was 50% of the control.