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This study is a leading research project to develop an automatic grade decision making algorithm of a 6-years-old fresh ginseng. For this work, we developed a Ginseng image acquiring instrument which can take 4-direction`s images of a Ginseng at the same time and obtained 245 jingen images using the instrument. The 12 parameters were extracted for each image by a manual way. Lastly, 4 parameters were selected depending on a Ginseng grade classification criteria of KGC Ginseng research institute and a survey result which a distribution of averaging 12 parameters. A pattern recognition classifier was used as a support vector machine, designed to "k-class classifier" using the OpenCV library which is a open-source platform. We had been surveyed the algorithm performance(Correct Matching Ratio, False Acceptance Ratio, False Reject Ratio) when the training data number was controlled 10 to 20. The result of the correct matching ratio is 94% of the ginseng grade, 98% of the ginseng grade, 90% of the ginseng grade, overall, showed high recognition performance with all grades when the number of training data are 10.

Ginseng foliar diseases are typically controlled by spray application using periodic schedules. Few disease warning systems have been used for effective control of ginseng foliar diseases because ginseng is grown under shade nettings, which makes it difficult to obtain weather data for operation of the disease warning system. Using weather data measured outside the shade as inputs to an empirical leaf wetness duration (LWD) model, LWD was estimated to examine if operation of a disease warning system would be feasible for control of ginseng foliar diseases. An empirical model based on a fuzzy logic system (fuzzy model) was used to estimate LWD at two commercial ginseng fields located in Gochang-gun and Jeongeup-si, Korea, in 2011 and 2012. Accuracy of LWD estimates was assessed in terms of mean error (ME) and mean absolute error (MAE). The fuzzy model tended to overestimate LWD during dew eligible days whereas it tended to underestimate LWD during rainfall eligible days. Still, daily disease risk ratings of the TOM-CAST disease warning system, which are derived from estimates of wetness duration and temperature, had a tendency to coincide with that derived from measurements of weather variables. As a result, spray advisory dates for the TOM-CAST disease warning system were predicted within ±3 days for about 78% of time windows during which the action threshold for spray application was reached. This result suggested that estimates of LWD using an empirical model would be helpful in control of a foliar disease in a ginseng field. It was also found that a spray application time model using meteorological observations may prove successful without the requirement of leaf wetness sensors within the field. Development of empirical correction schemes to the fuzzy model and a physical model for LWD estimation in a ginseng field could improve accuracy of LWD estimates and, as a result, spray advisory date prediction, which merits further studies.

Background: Knowledge on microclimate conditions under artificial shades in a ginseng field would facilitate climate-aware management of ginseng production. Methods: Weather data were measured under the shade and outside the shade at two fields located in Gochang-gun and Jeongeup-si, Korea, in 2011 and 2012 seasons to assess temperature and humidity conditions under the shade. An empirical approach was developed and validated for the estimation of leaf wetness duration (LWD) using weather measurements outside the shade as inputs to the model. Results: Air temperature and relative humidity were similar between under the shade and outside the shade. For example, temperature conditions favorable for ginseng growth, e.g., between 8°C and 27°C, occurred slightly less frequently in hours during night times under the shade (91%) than outside (92%). Humidity conditions favorable for development of a foliar disease, e.g., relative humidity > 70%, occurred slightly more frequently under the shade (84%) than outside (82%). Effectiveness of correction schemes to an empirical LWD model differed by rainfall conditions for the estimation of LWD under the shade using weather measurements outside the shade as inputs to the model. During dew eligible days, a correction scheme to an empirical LWD model was slightly effective (10%) in reducing estimation errors under the shade. However, another correction approach during rainfall eligible days reduced errors of LWD estimation by 17%. Conclusion: Weather measurements outside the shade and LWD estimates derived from these measurements would be useful as inputs for decision support systems to predict ginseng growth and disease development.

The characterstics of absorption and accumulation of inorganic germanium in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer were examined. In 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content of the field soil increased with increased amounts and frequencies of inorganic germanium application, while chemical components of the soil, such as available phosphate and exchangeable calcium, potassium, and magnesium, decreased with the increased inorganic germanium application. In the 4-year-old P. ginseng, the germanium content was highest in the rhizome and increased in the order of stem, leaf, lateral root, and main root, suggesting that inorganic germanium was absorbed from the root and translocated to the stem and leaf via the rhizome. As for changes in ginsenosides in 4-year-old P. ginseng rhizomes, the contents of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Re, and Rf decreased as the germanium content in soil increased. Ginsenosides Rb₁, Rb₂, Rc, Re, and Rf in the main root also decreased with increasing germanium content in the main root. The results suggest that inorganic germanium treatment may increase organic germanium in harvested P. ginseng, thus enhancing the medicinal effi cacy of ginseng products.

This study was conducted to compare the aerial parts growth, yield of fresh ginseng roots, quality of red ginseng roots, and photosynthesis (Fv/Fm, PSⅡ) in leaves between non-irrigation plot and furrow irrigation plot during the ginseng growing seasons. The aerial part growth in furrow irrigation plot was higher than non-irrigation plot in all including the emergency rate leafing rate and relatively growth rate. Root yield per lOa in irrigation plot was increased about 50% as compared with that of non-irrigation, also heaven and earth grade of red ginseng roots yield in inigation plot was higher (40.3%) compared with that (30.6%) of non-irrigation plot in 6-years-old ginseng plant. Furrow irrigation markedly improved the ginseng quality and yield in comparison to non irrigation condition. Therefore it needs to control the soil moisture during the growing season for high yield and good qualities of ginseng roots.