An assessment of Ngoc Linh ginseng introduction to new sites in Vietnam

Abstract

Ngoc Linh ginseng is a medicinal herb indigenous to the Ngoc Linh Mountain in the Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces, where it grows primarily at 1,700 - 2,200 m above sea level. It is one of the five most important species in the genus Panax, and it is highly valued in the herbal health care market. To facilitate the expansion of ginseng cultivation, Ngoc Linh ginseng has been experimentally introduced to different sites to test its suitability. The sites included Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Lac Duong - Lam Dong, Tam Dao - Vinh Phuc, Sa Pa - Lao Cai, An Lao - Binh Dinh, Huong Hoa - Quang Tri and Khanh Vinh - Khanh Hoa. It was found that it could be grown at lower altitudes (1,500 - 1,700 m) both within the Ngoc Linh mountain and in other locations outside its original distribution. In the Kon Plong district of Kon Tum province, the ginseng grew well, attaining a root weight almost equivalent to that achieved in its original habitat. Growth and development were also good at Lac Duong, Lam Dong and Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc. In conclusion, it has been shown to be possible to introduce Ngoc Linh ginseng to different sites in Vietnam but for a successful outcome, it is necessary to develop suitable techniques for each specific planting site