Chungnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services: "Water Management Is Crucial for Ginseng Growth in May"

Guidelines for Customized Ginseng Management

Shade facility at ginseng cultivation site. Photo by Chungnam Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services.

The Chungnam Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced that, with the main ginseng growing season underway, it has provided customized management guidelines for the early growth stage to help prevent disasters for ginseng farmers.

Ginseng is a semi-shade crop, and direct exposure to sunlight can hinder its growth. Therefore, it is necessary to control the amount of light using shade facilities. In particular, during the early growth stage in May, it is most appropriate to maintain light transmission at around 20%.

If the amount of light is excessive, the leaves may not fully unfold or growth may be inhibited. Conversely, if there is insufficient light, abnormal stem elongation, known as 'Utjaram', can occur, resulting in weakened plant tissues.

As a result, there is a risk of lodging damage during strong winds or heavy rainfall, and in the high temperatures of summer, this can lead to weather-related damage such as leaf scorch.

The Agricultural Research and Extension Services explained that, during the early growth stage of ginseng, it is advisable to adjust the width of the shade net in shade facilities to 140 cm. During the hot season from July to August, it is recommended to install an additional shade net to reduce light transmission to about 10%.

Kim Minhee, a researcher at the Ginseng and Medicinal Herb Research Institute of the Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, "May is also an important period for water management in ginseng cultivation," and added, "Supplying 5 liters of water per square meter at intervals of 10 days, 2 to 3 times, can effectively prevent physiological disorders that may occur during drought."