Effects of Vermicompost Application on the Growth and Ginsenoside Content of Panax ginseng in a Reclaimed Field

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of vermicomposts on the growth parameters and ginsenoside content of ginseng roots. Food waste vermicompost (FW), cow manure vermicompost (CM), and paper sludge vermicompost (PS) were applied at 10 and <TEX>$40t\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>, respectively. One-year-old seedlings were transplanted and 4-year-old roots were harvested. Soil nitrate and phosphate concentrations were increased in the plots applied with FW and CM at <TEX>$40t\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>. Soil pH and exchangeable Ca concentrations were higher at FW <TEX>$40t\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> than at CM <TEX>$40t\;ha^{-1}$</TEX>. Root yield increased when treated with FW <TEX>$40t\;ha^{-1}$</TEX> in comparison to the yield for the control. The incidences of root rot disease and ginsenoside content were not significantly affected by the treatments. The results suggested that application of vermicompost might not show a relationship between root biomass and ginsenoside content. It further showed that proper use of vermicompost can promote root yield without a reduction in root quality or an increase in the incidence of root rot disease in reclaimed fields.