Effects of silicate or germanium foliar spray on Korean Ginseng growth in plastic house

Three species of genus Panax, P. ginseng C. A. Meyer, P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng have been recognized and traded in markets around the world. P. ginseng (korean ginseng) is distributed in Asia’s Far East including Korea and China. The main medicinal ingredient of ginseng is ginseng saponin (ginsenoside). Korean ginseng has 23-34 kinds, North American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) 13 kinds and P. notoginseng has 15 kinds of ginsinoside. Ginseng is effective in improving mental disorders, learning, and sensory functions. This study was conducted to investigate the effects on ginseng growth and ginsenoside content at the plastic house facilities using foliar spray of water-soluble silicate or germanium in 5-year-old Korean ginseng. The bacterial, fungus and actinomytes density of the soil foliar sprayed with diluted soluble silicate was 75 times higher than that without spraying(control). The photosynthesis rate of ginseng foliar sprayed with soluble silicate or germanium solution diluted by 1,000 times were 3.2 μmol CO₂/m²/s and 3.1 μmol CO₂/m²/s, respectively. The photosynthesis rate of non-spray was 2.2 μmol CO₂/m²/s. Stomatal conductivity and transpiration rate were also higher in foliar spray treatment than in control. The growth status of aerial parts (plant height, etc.) and underground parts (taproot length, etc.) in ginseng were excellent in sprayed with silicate or germanium solution diluted 1,000 times. Fresh root weight was 65.0 to 68.8g per plant, up 34.7% to 43.9% from control. Ginsenoside content was increased 1.6-1.8 times when a 500 times dilution solution of soluble silicate or germanium was foliar sprayed.