Ginseng Cultural Management and Research Update in Atlantic Canada

The Canadian production of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) occurs mainly in Ontario, British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces. Although ginseng is a profitable crop, its successful production is dependent on careful consideration of cultural management f include site selection, site preparation, seed selection and handling, shading actors which and mulching, pest and nutritional management, and handling of harvested crops. Diseases of particular concern in Atlantic Canada are root rots caused by Phytopkthora cactorum, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium sp. Recently two systemic fungicides (metalaxyl and fosetylal) were registered; however, growers in Atlantic Canada have experienced metalaxyl resistance resulting from the reliance on this single compound for the control of Phytophthora sap. Current research being conducted on alternative control of these diseases will be discussed. In weed control research, 2, 4-D, MCPA, clopyralid have continued to show promise for weed contro1 at low rates. In trials to evaluate non-selective herbicides as post-senescence or pre-emergence in ginseng, glyphosate (Round-up) provided control of perennials as well as willowherb and lambsquarters. In phytoxicity trials, ginseng significantly tolerated grass herbicides, including clethodim, rimsulfuron, trakloxydim, nicosulfuron and fenoxyprop. For broadleaf herbicides, significant tolerance was shown for bromoxynil, thifensulfuron methyl, flumetulam/clopyralid, thifensulfuro/tribenuron. Disease and weed management of ginseng in Atlantic Canada will be discussed.