densiflora stand sites. Available P was low in all of the stand sites. This low value may be due to decreased P availability in acidified soils [13]. Also, this result suggests that P fertilizer in these stand sites was not applied during cultivation

because the concentration of P in all of stand sites was similar or lower than that of the natural forest stands (28 mg/kg) in Korea [14]. Generally, the addition of P fertilizers increases the concentration of P in the soil because P fertilizers typically exhibit little leaching characteristics [13]. Soil fertility levels, such as exchangeable K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, were generally higher in the mixed stand sites and low-elevation sites than in the P. densiflora stand sites and high-elevation sites. This Selleck Dabrafenib difference in exchangeable cation may arise from differences in the mineralogical character, tree root distribution, trans-isomer and nutrient cycling mechanisms inherent in these sites [13]. American ginseng grew well on acidic soils with a relatively high Ca content and a preferred Ca/Mg ratio of 5:1 [6]. However, the levels of exchangeable cation in all of the cultivation

sites for mountain-cultivated ginseng showed lower values compared to the levels of exchangeable cation originating from granite parent materials of Korean forest soils [14]. Mountain-cultivated ginseng at the local level was mostly grown in highly acidified soils that varied greatly in their levels of soil nutrients. In addition, a significant proportion of the cultivation sites for mountain-cultivated ginseng occurred in forest environments that did not correspond to the ideal type of soil environment for ginseng cultivation, as reported in other studies. It is difficult to determine the ideal sites for mountain-cultivated ginseng that tolerates a wide variety of soil physical and chemical attributes. However, ginseng cultivation

in P. densiflora stand sites may not be suited for growing ginseng because many of these soils are acidic and nutrient depleted. Also, the survival and productivity of ginseng in high elevation sites may be affected by an increased susceptibility to fungal diseases because of low soil pH and poorly drained characteristics with high organic C content. Bcl-w The results of this study suggest that soil nutrient management may be essential to produce mountain-cultivated ginseng in Korea to alleviate nutrient deficiencies or aluminum toxicities in strongly acidified soils. However, mountain cultivation techniques for ginseng should not include fungicide spray or soil amendment application. All authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. This work was partially supported by Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology (2013) and a Forest Science & Technology Project (Project No.