Comparison of Growth Patterns and Metabolite Composition of Different Ginseng Cultivars (Yunpoong and K-1) Grown in a Vertical Farm

This study analyzed growth patterns, biological compounds, antioxidant properties, ginsenoside contents, metabolites, and the annual net production of ‘Yunpoong’ ‘K-1’ to find optimal harvesting time ginseng sprouts. One-year-old seedlings were cultivated in a container-type vertical farm under temperature 20 °C, humidity 60%, average light intensity 46.4 µmol m−2 s−1 (16 h photoperiod). Growth patterns at 2, 3, 4, 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT) differed between cultivars. Regarding compounds took WAT (43.59%; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazine-hydrate radical scavenging activity, 1.47 OD593nm; ferric reducing power assay, 78.01%; 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) activity), 4 (0.98 Re mg g−1; total flavonoid 35.93%; DPPH) show high content. Two cultivars showed highest contents WAT. Most metabolites had higher content than ‘K-1’. In both cultivars, it was confirmed that longer period (3 − > WAT), lower yield production. Therefore, should be grown as sprouts farms for approximately 3 WAT, respectively.