Effects of different light intensities on the growth and accumulation of photosynthetic products in panax ginseng C. A. Meyers

Abstract

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is used extensively in traditional Asian medicines, and requires an efficient cultivation method. However, few studies have examined the effects of different light intensities on growth, photosynthetic rate, and accumulation of photosynthetic products throughout the whole-cultivation period. We investigated plant growth, photosynthetic rates, and accumulation of photosynthetic products in each organ under low (70 mmol m2 s1) and high (300 mmol m2 s1) light intensities and discussed methods of promoting productivity. During early growth stages, dry weight and photosynthetic rates under the high light treatment were significantly higher than those under the low light treatment. However, these values under the high treatment suddenly declined and the plants became dormant 30 days earlier than plants that received the low light treatment, which may be possibly related to accumulation of photosynthetic products in lamina. Our results indicate that ginseng's cultivation under high light conditions can shorten the cultivation period.