Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Ginseng is a shade plant with a cultivation period of at least four years. The ginseng root has been used in Asia for thousands of years to strengthen and vitalize the body. This literature review investigated the possibilities of commercial ginseng cultivation in Sweden. Three main areas of challenge were studied, climate, disease and market, based on the growth requirements and production methods of the variety Panax quinquefolium. The climate conditions in Sweden seem to be suitable for cultivation of Panax quinquefolium. Problems with common fungal diseases of ginseng can be assumed to be small at first, but increase over time. There are three production systems; forest-grown, field-grown under artificial shade and wild-simulated. Field-grown ginseng can be sold to the European or Asian market, but the value of wild-simulated and forest-grown ginseng is only appreciated on the Asian market. To access the Asian market, Swedish ginseng production must exceed a certain amount (~5000 kg dried root). The conclusion is that ginseng can be grown commercially in Sweden, although posing substantial cultivation challenges and Swedish ginseng farmers would have to create a marketing plan and cope with radically fluctuating world market prices.