ISHS Acta Horticulturae 765: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Plants as Food and Medicine: The Utilization and Development of Horticultural Plants for Human Health
GROWING AMERICAN GINSENG ORGANICALLY IN A NORTH AMERICAN BROADLEAF FOREST |
| Authors: | A.R. Fournier, P. Charest and, A. Gosselin, S. Khanizadeh, M. Dorais |
| Keywords: | Panax quinquefolius, soil preparation, mulch, liming, light intensity, light quality, sunflecks, VAM |
| Abstract:
In response to a growing interest and demand for medicinal and herbal plants, many growers are turning to the integration of the cultivation of medicinal plants in their forest systems. This study was conducted over a 5-year period, permitting us to clearly elucidate the potential of growing ginseng organically in a broadleaf forest. Our results showed that the type of mulch and soil preparations significantly influenced the emergence of American ginseng seedlings. Moreover, the soil preparation influenced the growth and the mineral absorption of American ginseng plants. In contrast, the sowing density poorly affected the overall emergence or growth of ginseng plants, presumably because of the low survival rate during the first year caused in part by an especially damp spring. The light conditions in the forest understory proved to be vital factors influencing the photosynthetic capacity and the pigment concentration of American ginseng and also the growth and root ginsenoside concentrations of the plant. VAM soil inoculations significantly influenced the root morphology and ginsenoside concentrations of one-year-old American ginseng plants. | |
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