Genetic variations in Korean wild ginsengs and their genetic relationships

Abstract

Genetic diversity and genetic relationships were investigated in wild ginsengs collected from various natural habitats in South Korea using RAPD techniques. The UPGMA dendrogram established from the RAPD data demonstrated that the genetic diversity of wild ginsengs was more profound than that of cultivated variants. These differences in RAPD profiling were from their genomic sequence variation, supported by sequence analyses on the commonly amplified hands from mild and cultivated ginseng. Considering that ginseng is a self-pollinated and long-isolated fossil plant, which has not changed its shape appreciably throughout evolution, this diversity among ginseng plants grown in different locations and under different conditions was expected to some degree. Based on the sequence data, we conclude that one mild ginseng accession had been isolated for over 19 million years. In this report, we suggest that Korean wild ginseng has remarkable genetic diversity as compared with commercial Korean ginseng, and urge that measures be taken to conserve this endangered plant from reckless exploitation and possible extinction.