Influence of Boron and Iron Toxicity on the Physiological Status, Growth, and Mineral Uptake of Ginseng in Hydroponic Culture

Abstract

Background: Ginseng is a perennial crop grown for more than four years in the same place. Therefore, it is highly affected by the soil environment, especially nutrients in the soil. The present study was carried out to investigate to the influence of boron and iron concentrations on the physiological status, growth, and mineral uptake of ginseng to obtain the basic information for diagnosing a physiological disorder in ginseng plants.Methods and Results: The boron and iron concentrations were controlled at 3, 30, 150, 300 and 2, 20, 100, 200㎎/ℓ, respectively. When treated with 150㎎/ℓ of boron, the ginseng plants showed yellowing or necrosis symptoms at the edge or end of their leaves. Compared with the 3㎎/ℓ treatment, the root weight decreased by 13 and 24% in the 150 and 300㎎/ℓ treatments, respectively. When treated with 20㎎/ℓ of iron, the ginseng plants showed yellowing between the veins of the leaves followed by the formation of brown spots. The root weight gradually decreased with increasing iron concentration. Approximately 55% decrease in root weight was observed upon treatment with 200㎎/ℓ of iron.Conclusions: The boron toxicity occurs in the leaves of ginseng at the boron concentration of approximately 1,900㎎/㎏ or more. The iron toxicity occurs at the iron concentration of approximately 120㎎/㎏ for leaves and 270㎎/㎏ for roots.