This study describes the efficient method for the discrimination of 'Cheonryang' in Panax ginseng Meyer using a STS primer. A total of 208 STS primers were applied to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification for discriminating Korean ginseng cultivars. Co-dominant polymorphic band patterns were generated with two primers, MFGp 0019, MFGp 0248, and successful identification of 'Cheonryang' was achieved from out of 11 Korean ginseng cultivars. Two different sizes of DNA band patterns were detected with MFGp 0019 primer. Ten Korean ginseng cultivars shared the same size of amplified DNAs (389 bp), but 'Cheonryang' showed a different size. Thus 'Cheonryang' can be efficiently distinguished from the other ten ginseng cultivars by using the MFGp 0019 primer. In the case of MFGp 0248, two different sizes of DNA band patterns were detected in the eleven ginseng cultivars. Same sized amplified DNA bands (307 bp) were shown in five cultivars (Chunpoong, Gopoong, Kumpoong, Cheongsun, Sunhyang) and 254 bp sized DNA bands were identified in the other 6 cultivars (Yunpoong, Sunpoong, Sunun, Sunone, Cheonryang, K-1). In conclusion, the two STS primers, MFGp 0019, and MFGp 0248, provide a rapid and reliable method for the specific identification of 'Cheonryang' cultivar from a large number of samples.

This study was carried out to investigate the correlation between root diameter and ginsenoside compositionof Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer cultivar Yunpoong. Dry matter ratio of main root was a little higher than that of lateral rootand fine root, and that was higher by the increase of root diameter in the same root parts. Total ginsenosides composition ofmain and lateral roots increased by the decrease of root diameter, especially in lateral root. Similar resulted in fine root, butthere was no significant difference where root diameter was below 2.5㎜. Except for ginsenoside-Rg1, other ginsenosidescomponent, PDs, PTs and total ginsenosides had highly negative correlation with the root diameter within whole root, mainroot+lateral root and lateral root+fine root, while Rg1 had positive correlation with the root diameter.