Differences in the Quality, Yield, and Soil Microecology of Ginseng in Different Planting Environments

Abstract

The quality and yield of ginseng are significantly affected by ecological factors, especially soil, which is a complex environment. This study compared the quality, yield, and soil differences of ginseng in a Mongolian oak forest (MOFG), birch forest (BFG), mixed wood forest (MWFG), poplar forest (PFG), farmland (FlG), and a felling forest (DfG). Based on these differences, the relationship between the three was explored, as was the most suitable forest type for developing understory ginseng cultivation. The soil bacteria diversity of DfG was similar to that of understory ginseng, and its ginsenoside content was at the same level as that of understory ginseng. The soil pH of FlG was significantly lower than that of the other five cultivation methods, and the soil bacteria were also different from them, especially those related to the nitrogen cycle. Ginsenoside Rg2 has a significant correlation with many soil factors and is sensitive to soil environmental differences. In conclusion, there were significant differences in the quality, yield, and soil environments between the different planting methods. MOFG was the most suitable for planting with excellent quality and high yield, while BFG was the worst; as such, planting in BFG should be avoided.