The effect of manganese, sodium, calcium, acidity and tree competition on the growth and nutritional status of American ginseng

The relationships between soil applied manganese, sodium, calcium, pH and tree competition on the nutritional status and growth of American ginseng ('Panax quinquefolius' L.), and tree growth, were examined in the greenhouse and in a deciduous forest. Ginseng seedlings grown in a nutrient solution of pH 6 weighed more than twice those grown at pH 4 (76.1 vs. 29.5 mg). Higher sodium rates significantly decreased the survival of 3-year-old ginseng. A greenhouse study included ginseng grown with shade-providing poplars that grew the least (0.62 vs. 1.78 g for the control) and had the lowest macronutrient concentration when compared to growth with black walnut, sugar maple or northern red oak. In the forest study, the combination of calcium sulfate and tree competition yielded the smallest ginseng roots. Dolomitic lime applications and reduced tree competition yielded the largest roots in the woodland ginseng gardens located in Houghton, Michigan. These results indicate that soil nutrient and tree management are important in woodland ginseng production.