Effect of Seed Size and Cultivars on the Ratio of Seed Coat Dehiscence and Seedling Performance in Panax ginseng

This study was carried out to obtained the basic information for seed coat dehiscence and seedling performance according to seed size of eight ginseng cultivars. Seed size was separated into four grade(upper 5.0, 5.0-4.7, 4.7-4.0, and under 4.0mm in diameter). Seed coat dehiscence and survival ratio of seedling were not affected by seed size. Aerial parts growth of seedling such as stem length, stem diameter, and leaf area of seedling were larger seed(upper 5.0 mm) better than those of small seeds(4.7-4.0, and under 4.0 mm in diameter). Also root part growths such as root diameter, and fresh weight were larger seed(upper 5.0 mm) higher than those of small seeds(4.7-4.0, and under 4.0 mm in diameter). However, root length was not affected by seed size. Growth status of aerial and root parts of 'unpoong' 'umpoong' and 'opoong' were better than those of other cultivars in each grade of seed sizes. The growth of characteristics of 'hunpoong' and 'hungsun' were less than those of other cultivars.