Autotoxic Ginsenosides in the Rhizosphere Contribute to the Replant Failure of Panax notoginseng

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sanqi ginseng (Panax notoginseng) growth is often hampered by replant failure. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of autotoxicity in Sanqi replant failures and assess the role of ginsenosides in autotoxicity. METHODS: The autotoxicities were measured using seedling emergence bioassays and root cell vigor staining. The ginsenosides in the roots, soils, and root exudates were identified with HPLC-MS. RESULTS: The seedling emergence and survival rate decreased significantly with the continuous number of planting years from one to three years. The root exudates, root extracts, and extracts from consecutively cultivated soils also showed significant autotoxicity against seedling emergence and growth. Ginsenosides, including R(1), Rg(1), Re, Rb(1), Rb(3), Rg(2), and Rd, were identified in the roots and consecutively cultivated soil. The ginsenosides, Rg(1), Re, Rg(2), and Rd, were identified in the root exudates. Furthermore, the ginsenosides, R(1), Rg(1), Re, Rg(2), and Rd, caused autotoxicity against seedling emergence and growth and root cell vigor at a concentration of 1.0 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that autotoxicity results in replant failure of Sanqi ginseng. While Sanqi ginseng consecutively cultivated, some ginsenosides can accumulate in rhizosphere soils through root exudates or root decomposition, which impedes seedling emergence and growth.