PRODUCTION OF KOREAN GINSENG PLANTS (PANAX GINSENG C. A. MEYER) IN FULLY CLOSED PLANT FACTORIES

Korean Ginseng plants grow can only be cultivated once annually due to the temperate climate regions. However, it may be possible to grow Korean Ginseng plants twice or more in a year in artificially controlled environments like fully closed factories. In this study, growth of Korean Ginseng plants and 7 kinds of ginsenoside, categorized by their growth periods, were investigated after planting them in fully closed factories. Shoots appeared 3~5 days after planting and the normal growth period was 3~4 months. Leaves changed to brown in the latter period and then dormancy was promoted. Growth rate above and under ground increased from the second month to the third month after planting and then showed slight growth until the fourth month while transitioning into a dormant period. The length of roots increased during the three months after planting, but their width increased very little. Ginseng plants were harvested at every month during their growth after they were planted and their contents of ginsenoside were analyzed with HPLC. Five kinds of ginsenoside drastically increased between the second and third months after planting: Rg1, Rf, Rb1, Rb2, and Rc. In particular, Rg1 showed a large increase (260%) from the seedling period to the latter period of growth. The contents of other kinds of ginsenoside showed a tendency to increase in time during growth although their increased rates were different.