Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide on Root Rot Disease of Ginseng Sprouts

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly oxidizing agent, which has exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity without adverse environmental impact. This study was conducted to investigate the antifungal effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment against <i>Cylindrocarpon destructans</i>, and consequently to evaluate its control efficacy against root rot disease of 2-year-old ginseng plants. Hydrogen peroxide treatment strongly inhibited the viability of <i>C. destructans</i> conidia <i>in vitro</i>. The hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 300 mg/l significantly reduced disease infection of the ginseng root when treated to spore suspension (10⁷ conidia/ml). Spraying with 300 mg/l of hydrogen peroxide reduced the root rot disease of the ginseng sprouts by 15% compared to the untreated control at 14 days after the inoculation. However, 300 mg/l of hydrogen peroxide delayed the emergence of ginseng plants during sprouting under aeroponic conditions. Further works need to be done to provide an acceptable control efficacy of hydrogen peroxide against the disease and its good safety to ginseng plants.