Root contraction during 1 year after transplanting of Panax ginseng was investigated in relation to soil texture and watering under field conditions. Root longitudinal contraction (RLC, percent conservation of original length) occurred randomly along all longitudinal parts of the root in the investigation of 1 cm unit. Longitudinal contraction takes place in 5 different types and 48% for the downward acceleration type and 26% for the uniform type. RLC showed 2nd order polynomial regression with root weight or diameter. This relationship was significant in sandy loam soil regardless of watering and less in clayey loam soil. A threshold root weight having least RLC could be calculated from the regression equation with all roots and further utilized as an index for threshold soil condition. This investigation proved that ginseng root enlargement takes place in two ways after transplanting, cambial extension and longitudinal contraction.

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