Research articleEffect of vermicompost application on root growth and ginsenoside content of Panax ginseng
Graphical abstract
Introduction
Panax ginseng, which is used as an herbal supplement, is cultured in Asia, Europe and North America (Baeg and So, 2013). Ginseng root production requires root growth and control of root rot disease. Root growth is influenced by soil properties such as nutrient content, pH and soil moisture (Lee and Mudge, 2013). Root rot disease has been reported as a major threat to ginseng and is primarily caused by fungal pathogens such as Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium solani (Eo and Park, 2013). Damage caused by root rot disease is often most severe in replanted fields, and disease incidence can be reduced using cultural measures. Ginseng is commonly produced in fields converted from paddies because it is a good option for controlling root rot disease.
Ginsenoside is a triterpenoidic saponin found in various parts of ginseng plants such as berries, roots and leaves (Chuang and Sheu, 1994). Ginsenoside is believed to have pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects on humans (Attele et al., 1999). In ginseng cultivation, ginsenosides influence ginseng yield through increased nutrient uptake and pathogen resistance. A trade-off between biomass and ginsenoside content can occur because ginseng plants redistribute available resources for multiple, competing purposes. Ginsenoside plays a defence role against pathogens, pests and plants (Nicol et al., 2002, Yang et al., 2015). Fungal infection promotes production of some forms of ginsenoside in ginseng plants (Jiao et al., 2011, Jiao et al., 2015).
Organic wastes are produced from industrial processing and stalk removal. For economic and environmental reasons, reusing these wastes benefits crop cultivation. Vermicompost uses these organic wastes and increases the quality of raw waste (Kaviraj, 2003). Vermicomposts, when applied to crops, promote plant growth by improving soil's nutritional and physical properties (Atiyeh et al., 2002, Azarmi et al., 2008). However, plants often show contrasting responses between nutrient content vs. growth and secondary metabolite production (Hofmann and Jahufer, 2011). Moreover, adding organic materials may negatively affect plant yield by promoting pathogenic fungi proliferation via substrate supply (Eo and Park, 2013). Studying root growth, ginsenoside content and root rot disease simultaneously can help us evaluate the benefits of vermicomposts.
Cultural methods have been developed to stabilise yield and ginsenoside content simultaneously (Park et al., 1986, Lee et al., 2012). Here, we tested three types of vermicompost produced from cow manure, food waste and paper sludge, respectively, to develop methods for vermicompost application in ginseng production. We tested the effects of these vermicomposts on root growth, ginsenoside content and root rot disease. Interactions among these parameters have been poorly studied, and environmental control of these interactions is important for maximising ginseng yield. We hypothesised that changes in soil properties by vermicomposts may alter ginseng root growth parameters as well as their interactions with each other and with their environment. We also investigated the correlation of plant mineral content with other parameters because mineral composition influences the level of secondary metabolites by altering degradation and biosynthesis of metabolites (Santos et al., 2011, Zhang et al., 2013).
Section snippets
Experiment site
Our experiment was conducted in Eumseong Province, Korea. The field was a former paddy which was converted in 2008 when watering ceased. Three compost types were tested: food waste vermicompost (FWV), cow manure vermicompost (CMV) and paper sludge vermicompost (PSV). They were made by composting with a mixture of two earthworm species, Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. FWV was obtained from Hansol Agricultural Cooperative (Asan, Korea), whereas CMV and PSV were obtained from local
Soil chemical properties
Vermicompost applications influenced soil chemical properties depending both on the type of vermicompost and the application amount (Table 2). Soil pH tended to increase in vermicompost treatments and was significantly different in the FDV40 and PSV40 treatments. NO3− and P2O5 were greater in the CMV40 treatment than in untreated control plots. Ca and Mg concentrations increased in the FDV40 and PSV40 treatments, respectively. Some correlations were found between soil chemical properties and
Paper sludge vermicompost and root growth
Vermicompost's effect on root growth parameters varied with amount and type of vermicompost applied. The root yield was higher in the PSV40 treatment than in the untreated control. However, this difference could not be attributed to an increase in major nutrients such as NO3− and P2O5. NO3−correlated negatively with yield, and P2O5 showed no apparent correlation with yield. Mg is another candidate nutrient that promotes root growth, considering the highest level of this nutrient was found in
Conclusion
Root growth, ginsenoside content and root rot disease are three factors that should be taken into account during ginseng production, and they all may be affected by application of vermicomposts. Our results demonstrated that proper use of vermicomposts can promote ginseng yield without accompanying root loss caused by root rot disease. However, the incidence of root rot disease increased in the FWV40 treatment. Vermicompost applications increased soil pH, which was favourable for ginseng
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