Ginseng: Industry, Botany, and Culture

Growth, Dry Matter Partitioning and Photosynthesis in North American Ginseng Seedlings

“…3. Light saturation was reached at about 150 µmol m -2 s -1 which is similar to that reported for leaves of 3-year-old plants [3].…”

“…The effect of low light intensities on the growth and development of North American ginseng seedlings is unknown. Within the ginseng literature there is confusion and debate about the light response curve for photosynthesis of mature ginseng plants (for a review see Proctor and Bailey [3]). Also, we have found no information on photosynthesis and dry matter distribution of one-year-old (seedling) plants although Bailey and Stathers [9] addressed growth of seedlings.…”

“…4. The higher root yield in England is likely a reflection of the more favorable growing environment of a cool rather than a warm greenhouse; the cool greenhouse more adequately mimics the native habitat of ginseng which is in the understory of the deciduous hardwood forest [3,5].…”

“…The necessary artificial shade for ginseng cultivation in North America permits about 30% of the incident light to reach the plants [3,7]. In the Asian culture of ginseng the shade permits only diffuse light to reach the plants and measured values range as low as 1 to 2% of incident light [8].…”

“…In commercial cultivation of ginseng an attempt is made to emulate the environmental conditions of the forest. Proctor and Bailey [3] have pointed out that although ginseng has been cultivated for a long time, only recently has the necessary detailed research on the growing environment of North American ginseng been initiated. This report is part of our continuing research with emphasis on the shade requirements, photosynthesis and dry matter partitioning particularly in the first year (seedling/crop establishment) growth phase [4][5][6].…”