Abstract
Purpose: Using agricultural machinery was not easy in the conventional shading structure, specified as a standard facility by standard cultivation methods for ginseng. Thus, this study designed the new types of facility allowing machine access by modifying the conventional type. Methods: Two types of facility (i.e. wide roof type and long & short roof type) were designed and installed in an experimental site to evaluate its growing environments and applicability of riding-type cultivator. Results: From the results of incoming light measurement, all three types (i.e. two new types and a conventional type) of shading structures blocked the incoming light after 9:00 am. The temperature distribution inside the new types was similar with the one in the conventional type, so the growth of ginseng was in good condition in all three types of facility. The riding-type cultivator was operated well with the low speed first gear of 0.13 m/s in the new types. However, a long & short typed roof needs to be raised 18 cm height in order to use the cultivator. Conclusions: With the results of this study, the new types of roof can be used in the ginseng farm in that they satisfied the growing environments for ginseng and the needs for agricultural mechanization.