Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A.C. Smith is used as a medicinal plant and cosmetic material in China and Southeast Asia. To mass-produce Kadsura coccinea seedlings, the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and cold stratification treatments on seed germination were investigated. Seed germination rate with GA3 treatment was most effective at concentrations of 250 or 500 mg/L. With respect to mean germination time (MGT), mean daily germination, and T50 (days to reach 50% seed germination), the germination-promoting effect was improved as the concentration of GA3 increased. Stem growth of seedlings was the highest following GA3 treatments of 250 and 500 mg/L, and the growth promoting effect gradually decreased as the concentration of GA3 decreased. Root growth was stimulated at GA3 concentrations of 250–1,000 mg/L. Examination of the effect of stratification treatment for 15, 30 and 60 days at temperatures of 0, 5 and 10℃ on the germination rate revealed that the most stratification treatment temperature was 10℃, and the results improved with longer treatment periods. Altogether, GA3 and stratification treatments improved the seed germination rate, shortened the MGT, improved germination uniformity, and produced healthy seedlings.

This study aimed to find a suitable size and a seedling raising stage for growing cuttings of Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold’ using plug trays. The experimental method, involved cutting two nodes from a solitary branch of E. fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold’, and the use of 32 (143 mL/cell), 50 (70 mL/cell), 105 (18 mL/cell), 200 (13 mL/cell) plug trays. The cuttings were transplanted to trays after they were filled with a universal horticultural medium. To compare the growths, plant heights, the numbers of leaves, longest root lengths, thickness/radius ratios, dry weights, and fresh weights were measured from July to October, and statistical analyses were performed using both the two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-test. The results confirmed that the size of the plug tray and the seedling raising stage had a significant effect on the growth of E. fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold.’ In addition, the overall growth was high and the change in growth was relatively rapid in districts 50 and 105. Therefore, it can be considered appropriate to use 50 and 105 trays when growing cuttings of E. fortunei ‘Emerald and Gold’ on plug trays.

본 연구는 동백나무의 대량번식 및 양묘를 위한 기초 정보를 제공하기 위하여 종자 무게와 저장방법에 따른 발아특성과 유묘생장을 조사하였다. 실온저장과 4℃건조저장의 발아율은 종자 무게에 따라 일정한 경향이 없었다. 4℃ 습윤모래저장의 발아율은 종자무게가 무거울수록 높아졌으나 저장 120일에 매우 낮은 발아율을 나타내었다. 4℃ 습윤여과지저장의 발아율은 60 일, 90일, 120일 저장 모두 80% 이상으로 높았고, 종자 무게에 따른 발아율의 차이도 거의 나타나지 않았다. 평균발아일수는 실온저장과 건조저장에서 30일 내외의 긴 시간이 요구되었지만 습윤저장(모래, 여과지)은 13일 내외로서 짧았다. 엽수, 엽건물중, 줄기직경, 뿌리건물중은 종자 무게 1.21 g 이상부터 평균치를 상회하였고, 줄기길이는 종자 무게 1.01 g, 식물체건물중은 종자 무게 0.81 g, 줄기건물중은 종자 무게 0.61 g부터 유묘의 평균치를 상회하였다. 유묘 생장은 종자 무게가 무거울수록 양호하였으며, T/R율은 종자가 무거울수록 낮아지는 경향이었다. 동백나무 유묘의 대량생산을 위해서는 종자 무게 및 크기를 구체화할 필요성이 있고, 파종을 위한 종자저장은 4℃ 습윤여과 지저장이 가장 효율적인 방법으로 평가되었다.

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is widespread in reclaimed land and wetland habitats. Every year, the common reed produces extensive colonies by means of underground rhizomes and ground-surface stolons. From an agricultural point of view, the common reed's large biomass is a good material for supplying organic matter. However, it has not yet been studied in terms of seedling production, transplanting conditions, and decomposition characteristics in reclaimed land. Seeds were harvested from the native common reed in Saemangeum, South Korea, the previous year and stored on an open field. The seeds were sowed in the greenhouse at the beginning of April. Common reed decomposition was studied from June to September, with the use of coarse mesh (5 mm) stem litterbags, on three samping dates and with five replicate packs per sample. These packs were dug in five soil condition (low-salinity topsoil, subsoil, high-salinity topsoil, subsoil, paddy topsoil) to 0.2 m and 0.4 m depth. The highest germination rate of common reed seeds was observed in non-salt solution, but the exhibited germination rate was 70% at 9.38 dS m-1. The plant height of young reed decreased steadily with increasing salinity, but leaf number did not decrease by 9.38 dS m-1. The survival rate of the two-year-old reed was 83.3%, which was 35% higher than that of the one-year reed. The transplant success rate was 0% in the no vinyl mulching in the soil, but the first year and second year seedlings survived rates were 63% and 83.3%, respectively, in vinyl mulching. Common reed decomposition rates were faster low salinity than high salinity. All nutrient contents were found to fluctuate significantly with time by soil conditions. We also need to study the growth rate of reed transplanting seedlings by soil moisture contents and the comparison of degradation in common reed tissues.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth characteristics of Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus seedlings under different shading treatments. Methods and Results: The shading treatment was regulated with the shading level (non-shaded, 35%, 55%, and 75% shading). Photosynthetic activities, such as net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, stomatal transpiration rate, and performance index on absorption basis (PIABS)were the highest under 35% shading (4.36 μ㏖ CO2·m−2·s−1, 54.2 m㏖ H2O·m2·s−1, 0.66 m㏖ H2O·m−2·s−1, and 1.3, respectively), and the lowest under 75% shading. This implies that the decrease in net photosynthetic rate may be due to an inability to regulate water and CO2 exchanged through the stomata. Thechlorophylla, b, and a + b contents were increased with elevating shading level and the chlorophyll a/b ratio showed non-significant differences. It was found that the dry weight (leaf, shoot, and whole) was the highest (1.14 g, 0.49 g, and 2.31 g, respectively) under 35% shading and the t/R ratio was the highest under 75% shading. Conclusions: It is concluded that 75% shading exhibited a strong reduction of photosynthetic activity, and 35% shading showed the best conditions for the early growth and cultivation of A. dioicus var. kamtschaticus.

Background : This study was carried out to introduce Atractylodes macrocephala as a new income element in Gangwon area and to develop the technology necessary for stable quality seedling production. Methods and Results : For the production of high quality seedlings of Atractylodes macrocephala, seedling growth characteristics were investigated according to the types of plug cell size and seedling raising period. Atractylodes macrocephala seeds were sown on February 14, 2018 in 72, 105, 128, 162, and 200 plug trays. The emergence period after sowing was March 2, and the final occurrence rate was 76.6 - 79.5%. The number of days of emergence took 18 to 20 days from sowing date. Growth of seedlings tended to be better with less number of plug trays, such as seedling height, seedling width, leaf length, leaf width and leaf number. On the other hand, roots (net formation) increased rapidly as the number of plug trays increased. After 60 days, the matured seedling rate was good at 75.5 ± 8.4% for the 200 plug tray and 72.5 ± 4.1% for the 162 plug tray. The net formation ratio of matured seedling was the best in 60 days of seeding in 162 plug trays. The rooting rate was 98.0 ± 2.1 - 99.3 ± 1.2% when seeded for 60 days or more regardless of the type of plug tray. Conclusion : In order to produce efficient and stable seedlings in the cultivation of Atractylodes macrocephala in Gangwon area, it was considered to be advantageous for 60 days of seedling settling in the plug trays of more than 162 and less than 200.

Background : The cultivation method of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been introduced not only in the existing shading facilities but also in the cultivation method using the rain shelter house. In addition, direct seedling cultivation of ginseng is increasing in order to save labor. Ginseng cultivation area in the northern area is increasing with the disappearance of first planted field. Proper shading method in the northern ares is needed to grow direct grown ginseng using rain forest house. Methods and Results : Shading method using rain shelter house was Polyethylene film with layered polyethylene net 75%, blue-white duplicated PE film 85%, blue-white duplicated PE film 90%. Plant materials is 5-years-old Ginseng using direct seedling cultivation. In order to select proper shading materials of the rain shelter house in northern area, we investigated photosynthetic properties and growth of 5-years-old ginseng in rain shelter house. The temperature and humidity were slightly different between the traditional conventional shade facility and the rain shelter house, but the light intensity of the shading facility tended to decrease with the passage of time. The difference in shading method in rain shelter house was the highest at polyethylene film with layered polyethylene net 75%. As a result of the growth characteristics of the top part, 90% of blue-green double-sided film showed the greatest growth with 89.8 ± 1.5. The difference in top part between rain shelter house and shading facility is about 23 ㎝. Conclusion : Although the above growth characteristics of the ginseng shows this tendency, the root growth characteristics of the ginseng must be further observed.

Background : Seed germination for Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara. is not good when grown in direct seeding. This experiment was conducted to identify seedling box suitable for seedling transplantation and cultivation to improve farm income and public health. Methods and Result : To investigate the effect on growth, sizes of seedling box used were as follows (width × length × height, in ㎝); 2.5 × 2.5 × 4 (custom), 4 × 4 × 4, 4.5 × 4.5 × 6, 5.0 × 5 × 9.6, 5 × 5 × 11.2, 5 × 5 × 17, and for sowing in narrow strips; 33.5 × 55 × 13, 33.5 × 49 × 23, 33.5 × 49 × 30. The weight of the ground part decreased as box height became lower, highest at 17 ㎝ tall (0.65 g) and lowest at 4 ㎝ (0.23 g). In terms of root length of the seedlings, the longest was 9.0 - 9.3 ㎝ at box height of 17 ㎝ and decreased as height decreased. Root weight increased as box height decreased, the highest at 4 ㎝. After the seedlings were planted, more than 90% survived in seedling box compared to the 50% rooting rate on sown in narrow strips where root net formation did not occur. During harvesting period, plant height was 15.8 - 17.5 ㎝ with a shoot diameter of 13.3 - 20.7 ㎜, leaf length of 5.6 - 7.9 ㎝ and leaf numbers 15.6 - 22.3. Moreover, leaf width was the widest at 8.6 ㎝ at 6 ㎝ box height while dry weight was the most at 6.7 g at 11.2 ㎝. Survival rate and growth characteristics of the ground part were lower in seedling box for sowing in narrow strips. For the underground characteristics, root number increased as box height decreased while dry weight increased as box height increased, with 1.7 - 3.5 and 6.2 - 6.8 less in seedling box for sowing in narrow strips, respectively. The yield in a 17 ㎝ high seedling box was 152 ㎏ per 10 a, 16% higher than conventional level, and decreased as box height decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that the optimum seedling box height is 11.2 - 17 ㎝ to have lower root numbers and higher dry weight and yield.

Background: The production method of ginseng seedlings for ginseng cultivation is very important to ensure healthy rooting system as well as high quality, and yield of the resultant plants. This study was carried out to compare the growth characteristics of 2- year-old ginseng plants that were produced from seedlings grown in self soil nursery (SSN), nursery soil (NS) or hydroponic culture (HC). Methods and Results: The shading prop used was composed of four-layered 4 polyethylene (blue 3 + black 1) shade screen. The management of main field was done by inserting oil cake (1,200 ㎏/10 a) and then allowing Sudan grass to grow for a year. Seedling transplantation was carried out on April 6. Root growth was measured on October 25. Root weight was observed to be excellent at 6.0 g, following SSN transplantation. Root length was 21.2 ㎝ for HC seedlings, but these plants had a physiological disorder (i.e., rusty root), in 83.5% plants of this treatment. The ratio of PD/PT (protopanaxadiol saponins / protopanaxatriol saponins) was higher in NS seedlings. Plant analysis revealed that Fe content was lower in HC seedlings with high rustiness. The growth of 2-years-old ginseng was different following these varying seedling cultivation methods, but seedlings from NS were not different from those grown in SSN. Conclusions: For the propagation of 2-year-old ginseng plants, NS seedlings may be a good substitute for SSN seedlings.

Background : This study was carried out to provide the basic data for selection of excellent resources and true seeds of southern medicinal plant (Camellia japonica). Methods and Results : Camellia japonica seedlings (measure in October, seeding in May) were 7.4 leaves, 1.0 g leaf dry weight, 6.7 ㎝ stem length, 2.9 ㎜ stem diameter, 0.3 g stem dry weight, 17.3 ㎝ root length, 1.0 g root dry weight, 2.0 g plant dry weight and 1.4. T/R ratio. Leaf number, leaf dry weight, stem diameter and root dry weight were higher than average after 1.21 g of seed weight. Stem length was higher than average after 1.01 g of seed weight, plant dry weight was higher than average after 0.81 g of seed weight, and stem dry weight was higher than average after 0.61 g of seed weight. Seedling growth was good when the seeds were heavy, and T/R ratio tended to decrease when the seeds were heavy. Conclusions : In order to mass-produce of seedlings using Camellia japonica seeds, it was necessary to specify the weight and size of the seeds.

The growth characteristics of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ seedlings roots in response to trichokonins-spray treatment were investigated in this study. One-year-old seedlings of P. ostii ‘Fengdan’ were potted in plastic cups containing garden mold and grown under field conditions. The results showed that application of trichokonins significantly promoted root growth in P. ostii ‘Fengdan’ seedlings. The total root projection area, total root surface area, total root volume, total root length, root number and root diameter of seedlings treated with 0.25 mg/L trichokonins were higher by 141.70, 116.59, 119.44, 55.97, 348.88 and 127.78%, respectively, than that of the control. Thus, the results supported the hypothesis that good growth condition for roots could directly improve their nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency, promoting plant growth and development.

Background : This study was carried out to understand the effect of seedling weight (SW) on growth and flowering in Panax ginseng. Methods and Results : The testing materials were Chunpoong (CP), Yunpoong (YP) and Jakyeongjong (JK). The increase of seedling (1yr) weight led to an increase in ratio of flowering plant and in number of flower per plant. The seed setting rate of two year-old plant (CP, YP, JK) increased with increase of SW at the planting time (PT) and number of flower per plant of three year-old plant (CP, YP) increased also. In the two year-old plant (JK), the ratio of three leaves per plant was 8.8, 19.6, 31.0, 42.0, 44.7 and 58.2%, respectively, in the SW of >0.6, 0.6~0.8, 0.8~1.0, 1.02~1.2, 1.2~1.4 and 1.4g<. The growth of ginseng plant was good with increase of SW at the PT. Conclusion : There was a highly positive correlation between seedling weight and flowering characteristics.

Background : Clematis trichotoma is a deciduous climber belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. This study was carried out to survey the effect of shading levels on growth characteristics in Clematis trichotoma seedling. Methods and Results : Seeds were collected from plants growing in the Mt. Kariwang Jeongseon, Gangwon-do in October 2013, and they were sown to 96 cell plug tray filled with Peatmoss (TKS-2) soil at March, 2015. The experiment was performed with four different shading levels (0, 30, 60, 90%) at July, 2015. According to the experiment, plant height was the highest under 90% of shading. It was found that fresh weight and dry weight of clematis trichotoma were the highest under 90% of shading. The leaf number was the highest under 30% of shading. The leaf number decreased as the shading level increased. Root number and length were the highest under 90% of shading. Conclusion : According to the results, Clematis trichotoma seedling showed the highest growth under 90% shading.

Background : Scrophularia koraiensis is a herbaceous perennials belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. This study was carried out to survey the effect of soil types on growth characteristics in Scrophularia koraiensis seedling. Methods and Results : Seeds were collected from plants growing in the Mt. Kariwang Jeongseon, Gangwon-do in September 2014, and they were sown to 128 cell plug tray filled with Peatmoss (TKS-2) soil at March, 2015. The experiment was performed with four different soil types (Peatmoss, Peatmoss + Perlite, Peatmoss + Granite soil, Commercial soil). According to the experiment, stem diameter was the highest under commercial soil. The leaf width and length were the highest under commercial soil. Main root diameter and lengh were the highest under commercial soil. Conclusion : According to the results, Scrophularia koraiensis seedling showed the highest growth in commercial soil.

Background : The research is designed to investigate the optimal cultivation technology and the growth of above-ground and below-ground sections as well as the photosynthetic characteristics for new ginseng variety “K-1” by differentiating the planting density under the conditions of transplanting and direct seedling. Methods and Results : The K-1 variety and hybrid variety (Jakyungjong) were selected for the research and the ginseng varieties were transplanted and directly sown in Yeoncheon area in 2013. The transplanting was made in the form of 5 lines × 9 rows (45 plants), 6 lines x 9 rows (54 plants), 7 lines × 9 rows (63 plants) and 8 lines × 9 rows (72 plants) in each lot (1.65㎡) while the direct seedling for testing was conducted three times in randomly blocked design in the form of 11 lines × 14 rows (154 plants), 12 lines × 14 rows (168 plants), 13 lines × 14 rows (182 plants). Various measures were collected from the 4-year transplanted ginseng and 3-year direct seedling ginseng in 2015 to find out the growth features and photosynthesis of above-ground section (rate of germination, leaf length, leaf width, stem length and leaf area index (LAI)) and the below-ground section (length, diameter, weight and class of roots). Conclusion : After the planting of the ginseng, the germination rate of K-1 for the transplanting was 85.1 ~ 92.0% across different plantation densities while that for the direct seedling was 67.7% ~ 77.9% across plantation densities, thus showing no significant difference between the two planting methods. LAI was higher for the higher planation density for both transplanting and direct seedling. As for the photosynthesis speed, the form of 6 lines × 9 rows showed the higher speed in transplanting while the form of 12 lines x 14 rows showed the higher speed in direct seedling. The photosynthesis of K-1 was higher than that of Jakyungjong. In the 4-year ginseng cultivated under the transplanting, diameter of roots, number of branch roots and weight of raw ginseng were the highest in the plantation density of 5 lines × 9 rows. The distribution of root weight was high with 23.3% and 20.0% for the 51~70g group and the 71g or above group, respectively, for the 4 year transplanted plants in the form of 5 lines × 9 rows. The growth for above-ground and below-ground sections for K-1 was better than that for Jakyungjong. As a result, it was found that the proper plantation density for the 4-year root in the transplanted K-1 was 5 lines × 9 rows considering the growth of the above-ground section, quantity and distribution of root weight.

Background : Most ginseng seedlings are cultivated in conventional shading facility. However, due to recent climate changes and soil-related bacterial issues, the production of healthy ginseng seedling with its rhizome weigh more than 0.8g has greatly dwindled. Hence, growing seedling system that raises ginseng on nursery soil in greenhouse is being more highlighted. Nevertheless, there are no sufficient researches conducted to study the growth stability after transplantation of ginseng seedling grown at nursery (GSGN). Methods and Results : After categorizing GSGN produced in 2014 according to individual weight (0.5-0.6g, 0.6-0.7g, 0.7-0.8g, 0.8-0.9g), those GSGN with 0.8-0.9g conventional ginseng seedling (CGS) have been transplanted on preparation field in 17, March of the following year. It has turned out that there were no significant differences about seedling emergence rate and weights between GSGN and CGS both same seedling weight of 0.8-0.9g in 25, June after 100 days transplantation. The 2-year-old ginseng growth of transplanted GSGN according to weight has shown strongly positive correlation between the weight of ginseng seedling and their growth. Especially the leaf area and weight have shown significant correlations represented as Y=212.15-567.32X+499.5X2(R2=0.9988) and Y=4.9-12.9X+11.17X2(R2=0.9788), respectively. Meanwhile, there was no significant correlation noticed treatment plot in relationship between seedling emergence rate and chlorophyll content. Conclusion : With the same root weight of GSGN and CGS, it can be judged that the growth of the 2-year-old GSGN is stable.

In nine commercial watermelon cultivars, the effects of osmotic seed priming were evaluated for seed viability and seedling growth at different germination temperatures and field conditions. Generally, primed seeds showed improved germination rate and reduced time for emergence at different germination temperatures, as compared to untreated seeds. In particular, priming effect on seed germination was significantly high at 15℃, which is an environment normally resulting in poor germination. Depending on the watermelon cultivar, germination rate under low temperature (15℃) was improved by up to 15~66% in primed seeds, as compared to untreated seeds. However, priming effect on germination was gradually reduced as the temperature reached to its optimum level for seed germination. Seed priming tended to improve the viability, fresh weight, and dry weight of watermelon seedlings, but its effect on seedling stage was not large, as compared to untreated seeds. Primed watermelon seeds showed improved emergence rate and facilitated germination in the field, but their seedling growth after 30 days from germination was not significantly affected. Our results indicated that seed priming can greatly improve the seed germination at poor temperature conditions in the watermelon.

The present study aimed to determine the influence of various root restriction media on seedling quality and early growth of strawberry after transplanting. The root activity of the seedlings, measured 20 days after fixation, was considerably higher (0.096, 0.090, and 0.063 mg·g-1·h-1 at 420, 450, and 480 nm, respectively) in expanded rice hull (ERH) treatment than in the sandy loam and loamy sand treatments. The volumetric water content (VWC) of the root media tested across 3 irrigation regimes (15 d, 30 d, 45 d) in the nursery field was highest in sandy loam (65.0–66.8%), followed by 59.4–61.3% in loamy sand and 38.6–45.3% in ERH. When growth parameters of runner plantlets were compared, ERH treatment was found to result in the highest crown thickness and fresh weights of root and above-ground parts. This had a favorable influence on above-ground tissue growth after transplanting to plastic house soil. As mentioned above, ERH treatment resulted in the highest seedling quality and early growth after transplanting. The results of this study would serve as useful on-site data for the production of high-quality strawberry seedlings.