Effects of maize rotation on the physicochemical properties and microbial communities of American ginseng cultivated soil

Abstract

The production of American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius L.) is severely limited by the replant disorders in China. Crop rotation with maize might reduce the replant problems, but little information is available on the effect of maize rotation on soil cultivated with ginseng. In this study, we analyzed nutrients, phenolic acids, and microbial communities in soils from the fields with continuous maize, mono-culture ginseng, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year maize rotation after ginseng. Pot experiments were also conducted to evaluate the performance of replanting ginseng in these soils. The results showed that Mn, Cu, and 5 phenolic acids in ginseng-cultivated soil were significantly decreased by maize rotation. A 5-year maize rotation significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial soil bacteria, such as Arthrobacter , rather than decreasing the abundances of potential pathogenic genera. Clustering analysis revealed that the physicochemical properties and microbial communities of 3- and 5-year maize rotation soil were more similar to CM than to G soil. The biomass of replanted ginseng root was improved, and root disease was reduced over 3 years of maize rotation. Overall, the results showed that at least a 3-year maize rotation is needed to overcome the replant failure of American ginseng.

Rehmannia glutinosa Replant Issues: Root Exudate-Rhizobiome Interactions Clearly Influence Replant Success

“…However, due to the lack of arable land in Jiaozuo City, R. glutinosa is frequently replanted in the same field at intervals of less than 8 years, or cultivated beyond its geo-authentic region to meet market demand, resulting in a high incidence of disease, lower tuber yield, and poor product quality. Similar situations are also observed in other geo-authentic herbal plants (e.g., Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng ) ( Yang et al, 2015 ; Dong et al, 2018a , b ), which has severely hindered the production of medicinal products and sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicines ( Gao et al, 2006 ; Zhang and Lin, 2009 ; Kong et al, 2011 ; Jiao et al, 2019 ). Given the serious replanting issues associated with production, R. glutinosa has been regarded as a model species for the study of replanting problems in perennial herbal plants ( Zhang and Lin, 2009 ).…”

Continuous Cropping Alters Multiple Biotic and Abiotic Indicators of Soil Health

“…For instance, the continuous corn showed relatively less soil K contents than the soils under crop rotation systems at three northern corn/soybean belt locations in the United States [207]. Jiao et al (2019) reported that soil under American ginseng showed relatively higher micronutrients such as manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) being 113%, 99%, and 80% higher than in the soil of continuously cultivated maize crop [251]. Moreover, the CC under certain standard practices may create obnoxious conditions under which plants may not take up sufficient nutrients from the soil, which may also lead to reduced plant growth and crop yield [84,252].…”

Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of American Ginseng for Different Parts and Abnormal Trait Based on the Major Ginsenoside Contents and Morphological Characteristics

“…Some studies have reported that the quality of American ginseng differs considerably depending on the age and cultivation region [14,15]. In addition, the application of biofertilisers has also shown to decrease the rate of rotten roots, thus enhancing the yield and quality [16][17][18]. However, most researches are focused on the root, and only the MR is popular among consumers [19].…”