title: Understory light and root ginsenosides in forest-grown Panax quinquefolius.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between light levels in the understory of a broadleaf forest and the content of six ginsenosides (Rg(1), Re, Rb(1), Rc, Rb(2,) and Rd) in 1- and 2-year-old American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) roots. Our results revealed that ginsenoside contents in 1- and 2 year-old roots collected in September were significantly related to direct and total light levels, and duration of sunflecks. At this time, the effect of light levels accounted for up to 48 and 62% of the variation in ginsenoside contents of 1- and 2-year-old American ginseng roots. Also, red (R) and far red (FR) light, and the R:FR ratio significantly affected Rd, Rc, and Rg(1) contents in 2-year-old roots, accounting for up to 40% of the variation in ginsenoside contents.
authors.affiliation: Horticultural Research Centre, Envirotron Building, Laval University, Quebec, Canada G1K 7P4.
authors.forename: Anick R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: John T A
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: Shahrokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanizadeh
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dorais
mesh_terms: D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008027:Light; D015394:Molecular Structure; D005894:Panax / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism*; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides