Effect of far-red light on the production and diversity of ginsenosides in leaves of Panax ginseng Meyer

Abstract Ginsenosides are the most valuable and pharmacologically active triterpenoid saponins found in Panax ginseng . Although light quality affects ginsenoside content, little is known about underlying genetic regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, correlation between adaptability of to shade biosynthesis remains poorly understood. In present study, transcriptome analysis seedlings using RNA sequencing revealed that expression genes, including PgHMGR , PgFPS PgSS PgUGT was enhanced conditions but downregulated by red light, indicating far-red might play an essential role production. Further, gene adventitious roots 2-year-old plants qRT-PCR showed quality-mediated patterns genes varied with tissue age. However, unlike transcriptome, there no difference total content among various conditions. Nevertheless, amount major protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides increased under Unlike roots, a decrease PgDDS plants, along increase light. Taken together, our findings suggest important environmental factor for diversification provide information can improve produced medicinal purposes.