Comparison of Growth Patterns and Metabolite Composition of Different Ginseng Cultivars (Yunpoong and K-1) Grown in a Vertical Farm

Abstract

This study analyzed growth patterns, biological compounds, antioxidant properties, ginsenoside contents, metabolites, and the annual net production of ‘Yunpoong’ and ‘K-1’ to find the optimal harvesting time of ginseng sprouts. One-year-old ginseng seedlings were cultivated in a container-type vertical farm under a temperature of 20 °C, a humidity of 60%, and average light intensity of 46.4 µmol m−2 s−1 (16 h photoperiod). Growth patterns at 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT) differed between cultivars. Regarding biological compounds and antioxidant properties, ‘Yunpoong’ took 5 WAT (43.59%; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine-hydrate radical scavenging activity, 1.47 OD593nm; ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, 78.01%; 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity), and ‘K-1’ took 4 WAT (0.98 Re mg g−1; total flavonoid contents, 35.93%; DPPH) to show a high content. Two cultivars showed the highest total ginsenoside contents at 5 WAT. Most of the analyzed metabolites had a higher content in ‘Yunpoong’ than in ‘K-1’. In both cultivars, it was confirmed that the longer the growth period (3 − > 5 WAT), the lower the yield and the annual ginsenoside net production. Therefore, ‘Yunpoong’ and ‘K-1’ cultivars should be grown as ginseng sprouts in the vertical farms for approximately 3 WAT and 4 WAT, respectively.

Technological Trends and Engineering Issues on Vertical Farms: A Review

“…These controlled environments enable precise control, monitoring, and regulation of the microclimate within cultivation areas. This results in higher yields that remain stable throughout the year, supporting year-round production [7][8][9]. The CEA approach, commonly implemented through advanced vertical farming systems, is progressively recognized as a sustainable method for high-intensity food production, achieved through the use of soilless substrates, artificial LED lighting, and precise control of growth parameters.…”

Biomass and Ginsenosides Content of Ginseng Sprouts upon Exposure to Several White LED Lights with Different Correlated Color Temperatures and Color Rendering Indexes

“…Ginseng sprouts have a short cultivation period and are harvested from the whole plant (shoot and root), containing high ginsenosides content (Chang et al, 2020). Korean ginseng is a well-known commercial medicinal crop, and many studies have attempted to produce ginseng sprouts in vertical farms (Park et al, 2019;Lee et al, 2023a). In this study, several types of white LED with different CCT and CRI values were used to investigate the effects on the growth, canopy net photosynthetic rate (P n ), and the content of bioactive compounds, specifically saponin and ginsenosides, of ginseng sprouts in a vertical farm module.…”