• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 1979

The undehiscent ginseng seed did not germinate, even if the seeds were treated with GA_3, kinetin or IAA. Only GA_3 stimulated germination of dehiscent ginseng seed. The physiological roles of gibberellic acid on stimulation of the seed germination were enhancing production of soluble carbohydrate and sucrose. Then gibberellic acid stimulated biosynthesis of insoluble cellural materials and amino acids from sugars and incorporation of amino acids into protein. The fruit coat of ginseng seed did not impede water imbibition, but did function as water absorbor and reservoir.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 1986

To get the basic information about ginseng seed production, yield of seed and seed quality in 27 fields were investigated. Yield of seed ranged from 4 to 10 litres per 100 kan (180cm x 90cm). Ratio of under 4mm seed is 12%, 66% for 4 to 5mm and 22% for over 5mm. Seed weight and ratio of over 4mm seed showed the decreasing tendency with the increase of seed yield per unit area. The seed yield harvested from the selected mother plants was lower than that from all plants, but seed weight and ratio of over 4mm seed were high in fields using the selected mother plants. It showed a positive correlation between length and width of seed, but no correlation between thickness and length or width. Optimum yield for high quality seed appeared under the 7 to 8 litres per 100 kan.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.212-226
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• 2002

North American ginseng production may have been maximized in the traditional growing areas in the last decade and further increases may be in woods grown root, for niche markets. The marketplace demands high quality roots. Most problems leading to low quality roots start with the grower and can be avoided. These include poor site selection, inadequate soil drainage, untimely and poorly applied pesticides, and neglect of good sanitary practices. Selection of low lying sites increased the plant damage from frost in Ontario in May 2002. Seeding is still the major method of propagation of ginseng in spite of some success in culturing different parts of the plant. Opportunities exist for shortening the stratification period of North American ginseng seed to allow spring planting. This may reduce disease incidence. Since only one-third of ginseng seed sown ultimately produces plants harvested after 3 years any approach that reduces disease incidence and improves seed germination, seedling emergence and crop stand must be pursued. Disease is the major problem in ginseng cutivation from seed stratification, soil preparation prior to planting, right through to drying of the roots. Replant disease remains as an unresolved problem and needs full characterization and new approaches for control. Much progress has been made in research and related extension activities in disease control although challenges will arise such as with Quintozene and its replacement with Quadris for control of diseases caused by Rhizoctonia. Decreased labor populations and increased associated costs for ginseng production are causing rapid mechanization in every aspect of the ginseng industry. Engineers, machinery dealers, and fabricators, and growers are being challenged to increase efficiency by mechanization.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2015

Background: Fermentation technology is widely used to alter the effective components of ginseng. This study was carried out to analyze the characteristics and antioxidant activity of ginseng seeds fermented by Bacillus, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus strains. Methods: For ginseng seed fermentation, 1% of each strainwas inoculated on sterilized ginseng seeds and then incubated at $30^{\circ}C$ for 24 h in an incubator. Results: The total sugar content, acidic polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds, including p-coumaric acid, were higher in extracts of fermented ginseng seeds compared to a nonfermented control, and highest in extracts fermented with B. subtilis KFRI 1127. Fermentation led to higher antioxidant activity. The 2,2'-azine-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was higher in ginseng seeds fermented by Bacillus subtilis than by Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, but Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity was higher in ginseng seeds fermented by Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Conclusion: Antioxidant activities measured by ABTS and SOD were higher in fermented ginseng seeds compared to nonfermented ginseng seeds. These results may contribute to improving the antioxidant activity and quality of ginseng subjected to fermentation treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.36-55
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ginseng seed oil in healthy subjects who have mild liver dysfunction. Methods: A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 167 subjects visited Semyung University Hospital from July 1st, 2016 to June 10th 2017. Except for the 103 excluded subjects, 64 subjects were randomized into one of the two groups: an treatment group(n=33) and control group(n=31). Subjects were randomly given either ginseng oil seed capsules or indistinguishable placebo capsules(2 capsules per dose, twice per day). Laboratory tests(aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were performed to evaluate the effectiveness after 6, 12 weeks of treatment. Vital sign, laboratory test were performed to assess safety at every visit. Results: There were no significant differences in efficacy between treatment group and control group. There were some adverse events with no significant difference in symptoms and frequency between treatment group and control group. Conclusions: Although the efficacy of ginseng seed oil was not proved, ginseng seed oil did not worsen liver function and proved its safety. More study of ginseng seed oil and clinical trials are necessary to increase the usefulness of above-ground parts of ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2017

Background: Dehisced ginseng seeds need to be stored at cold temperatures for around 3 months to break their physiological dormancy, and thus, to aid in gemination. In the presence of high moisture in such an environment, seed spoilage and pre-germination may lower seed quality and productivity. To improve seed quality during cold-stratification, the effects of seed dehydration and temperature were tested. Methods and Results: In early December, dehisced ginseng seeds were dehydrated at 4 different levels and stored at $2^{\circ}C$ $-2^{\circ}C$, and $-20^{\circ}C$ for 3 months. Germination was carried out on the filter papers moistened with distilled water; emergence of root, shoot, and seed spoilage were assessed. Seed viability was examined by the tetrazolium test. More than 90% of the seeds stored at $2^{\circ}C$ and $-2^{\circ}C$ without drying or endocarp dehydration germinated, but seeds that were dehydrated to have a moisture content (MC) below 31% showed poor germination and lost their viability. In addition, the seeds stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ failed to show effective germination. Conclusions: Seed storage after endocarp dehydration might help to improve seed quality and increase seedling's ability to stand during the spring-sowing of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate the localization of lipids and lipase activity with lipid staining and cytochemical technique in endosperm cells of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seed. In endosperm cells of indehiscent seed, protein bodies facing the umbiliform layer are different in electron density during the various degraded processes. Gradually, protein matrix near the cell wall was lysed and electron lucent inclusions appeared on umbiliform layer. The protein body with high electron density and the spherosome with low electron density were observed in endosperm cells. As a result of lipid staining, electron density of spherosome is more intense than those of the protein matrix within the protein body in endosperm cells of indehiscent seed. Free spherical spherosomes within the umbiliform layer have a high electron density. The spherical spherosomes were more electron densed and were uniform in comparison with the cytoplasmic proteinaceous granules in endosperm cells of seed with red seed coat. The major component of spherosome was determined to be lipid. Lipase activity occurs in the spherosome and near the endosperm cell wall facing the umbiliform layer. Cytochemical reaction products of lipase were observed in the spherosome membrane and in the inner regions of spherosome. After protein bodies were digested, lipase activities were observed in free spherosomes and near the cell wall of endosperm cells. Umbiliform layer composing of fibrillized wall and digested materials of the endosperm cell showed a little lipase reaction products.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2008

The North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) seed crop varies from year to year. The ability to hold stratified seed for a year would ensure continuity of seed supply and no interruption in production cycles. Seed drying and rehydration protocols at room temperature $(21{\pm}2^{\circ}C)$ were developed. These protocols and seed storage at 4 ${\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and 35%, or variable, relative humidity (RH) allowed the holding of stratified seed for one year and then establishment of the following five treatments in field plots: Trt.1 : dried 2005 stratified seed (seed harvested Fall 2004) held at $4^{\circ}C$ and at variable humidity; Trt.2 : 2006 stratified seed planted directly into the field; Trt.3 : 2005 stratified seed dried in October 2005 and held at $4^{\circ}C$ and 35% RH ; Trt.4 : 2005 stratified seed held in moist sand from October to December 2005 at room temperature $(21{\pm}2^{\circ}C)$ and then in December dried and held at $4^{\circ}C$ and 35 % RH; Trt.5 : 2005 stratified seed held in moist sand from October to December 2005 at room temperature and then in December dried and held at $-12^{\circ}C$ Seedling emergence was best in Trts. 2 and 4 with 67.3 and 65.1% respectively which is similar to the industry expected rate of 68% after regular stratification. Seedling growth was similar in Trts. 2 and 4 with root dry weights of 172 and 159 mg respectively in mid-August. Therefore, if holding stratified seed in August/September for one year is desired, the seed can be placed in moist sand until December and then dried and stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and 35% RH. These seed can be planted in the following August/September and will germinate and grow in the following year to give an acceptable crop.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 1986

Effects of plant growth regulators on the germination of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) seeds were investigated. Ginseng seeds germinated more vigorously in the treatments of kinetin and BA, and the promoting effect of kinetic on the germination and the growth of rootlet enhanced in low temperature ($10^{\circ}C$). However, GA did not promote the germination of dehiscent seed. The optimum temperature for germination of dehiscent seed was $10^{\circ}C$ and the range of effective concentration of kinetin for germination was 50 to 100 ppm.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.78-81
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• 2006

Freshly harvested, immature (green) seeds of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) were stratified for up to 3 years in plastic pails in controlled environment rooms at $5{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for 9 months and then $21{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ for 3 months (Trt. 1, regular stratification), or continuously at $-2{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$ (Trt. 2), or continuously at $3{\pm}0.2^{\circ}C$ (Trt. 3). During stratification at -2 and $3^{\circ}C$ embryos did not grow. On seeding in the field embryos grew rapidly and resultant seedlings were comparable to those from regularly stratified seed. Seedling emergence rate was acceptable at the industry expected rate of 68% after one year of storage, but not after two years storage when it declined to 17.5%. Seed rot was so severe in year 3 that no planting was carried out. Seedling and second year growth were similar at the three stratification temperatures; most importantly, root dry weight (economic yield) was similar. Low-temperature storage of freshly-harvested North American ginseng seed is an acceptable method for short-term retention of propagating material.