The Establishment and Persistence of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) in Maryland Forests.

Abstract

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a profitable non-timber forest product with the potential of improving the sustainability of Maryland forests. In order to determine factors affecting Maryland ginseng production, ginseng seeds and roots were planted in forests in Eastern, Central, and Western Maryland in plots amended with no treatment, lime, or gypsum. The response variables measured included soil nutrients and ginseng persisence and establishment. In general, soil lime treatments improved establishment at the Eastern but not the Central or Western sites. The gypsum soil treatments did not significantly affect populations. Establishment of American ginseng grown from seed ranked by site was Western>Central>Eastern. Conversely, root establishment was best at the Eastern site. Across sites, soil pH, Ca, Mg, and K were positively correlated with establishment and persistence. Thus, American ginseng was grown throughout Maryland and ginseng production was enhanced by lime addition at the Eastern site.