The Adaptation of Ginseng Production of Semi-arid Environments The Example of British Columbia, Canada

Ginseng Is renowned for both its medicinal and herbal uses and successful cultivation of Panax ginseng in Asia and Panax quinquefolium in North America has until recently taken place in the native geographical ranges of the plants. As a consequence of the potential high capital return and anticipated increases in consumer consumption, commercial cultivation of American ginseng now occurs well outside the native range of the plant in North America. In fact, the region of greatest expansion of cultivation is in the semi-arid interior region of British Columbia, Canada. Linked with this expansion is the potential domination of the ginseng industry by agricultural corporations. In the interior of British Columbia, the native deciduous forest environment of eastern North America is simulated with elevated polypropylene shade and a surface covering of straw mulch. The architecture of these environments is designed to permit maximum machinery usage and to minimize labor requirements. Further, with only a four- years growth cycle, plant densities in the gardens are high. In this hot, semi-arid environment, producers believe they have a competitive advantage over other regions in North America because of the low precipitation rates. This helps to minimize atmospheric humidity such that the conditions for fungal disease development are reduced. If soil moisture level become limited, supplemental water can be provided by irrigation. The nature of the radiation and energy balance regimes of the shade and many environments promotes high soil moisture levels. Also, the modified environment redlines soil heating. This can result in an aerial environment for the plant that is stressful and a rooting zone environment that is suloptimal. The challenge of further refining the man modified environment for enhanced plant growth and health still remains. Keywords Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, cultivation, ginseng production.