초록
Physiological response of Panax ginseng var. atropurpureacaulo (purple stem variety, Pg) to light was reviewed through old literatures and recent experiments. Canopy structure, growth, pigment, leaf anatomy, disease occurence, transpiration, photosynthesis (PS), leaf saponin, photoperiodism and nutrient uptake were concerned. P. ginseng var. xanthocarpus (yellow berry variety, Px) and Panax quinquefolius(Pq) were compared with Pg if possible. Compensation point(Cp) increased with increase of light and ranged from 110 to 150 at $20^{\circ}C$ but from 140 to 220 at $30^{\circ}C$ with 4 to 15 Klux indicating occurence of light and temperature-dependent high photorespiration. Characteristics of Korea ginseng to hate high temperature was well accordance with an observation 2000 years ago. Korea ginseng showed lower Cp and appeared to be more tolerant to high light intensity and temperature than American sheng although the latter showed greater PS, stomata frequency and conductance, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Px showed lower PS than Pg probably due to higher Cp. Total leaf saponin was higher in leaves grown under high light. Ratio or diol saponin and triol saponin(PT/PD) decreased with increase of light intensity during growing mainly due to decrease of ginsenoside $Rg_1$ but increase of ginsenoside Rd. Leaves of Pg and Px had $Rg_1$ but no $Rb_3$ which was only found as much as $20\%$ of total in Pq leaves, and decreased with increase of light intensity. Re increased in Pg and Px but decreased in Pq with increase of light. PT/PD in leaf ranged 1.0-1.5 in Pg and Px but around 0.5 in Pq. Korea ginseng has Yang characteristics(tolerant to high light and temperature), cultured under Eum(shade) condition and long been used for Yang efficacy (to build up energy) while Pq was quite contrary. Traditional low light $intensity(3-8\%)$ for Korea ginseng culture appeared to be strongly related to historical unique quality. Effect of light quality and photoperiodism was not well known. Experiences are long but scientific knowledge is short for production and quality assessment of ginseng. Recent scientific knowledge of ginseng should learn wisdom from old experiences.