Extreme Heat Delivers Direct Blow to 1- and 2-Year-Old Ginseng

▲ A ginseng farm suffering from heat damage

As consecutive heatwaves raise concerns over high-temperature damage to ginseng crops, ginseng cultivation farms in Geumsan are on high alert.

According to Geumsan ginseng farms, the Geumsan Agricultural Cooperative, and Geumsan County on August 12, crop damage caused by intense sunlight has been reported among local ginseng farms amid the recent nationwide scorching heat.

In some farms, fine roots on the ground surface have fallen off, hindering smooth moisture absorption and causing a phenomenon where the edges of the leaves turn yellowish-brown and scorch.

A local ginseng farmer in Geumsan said, "The damage is especially severe for young ginseng crops such as seedlings and 1- or 2-year-old ginseng," adding, "Forget about marketability; some of the ginseng has already withered and died."

According to explanations from the Rural Development Administration and Geumsan County, ginseng is a cool-season crop that grows well at around 20°C (68°F).

If the temperature inside shading facilities stays above 30°C (86°F) for more than a week, ginseng stops photosynthesis and halts its growth.

Geumsan ginseng farmers stated that if high temperatures of 30°C (86°F) or higher continue for five days or more, the root parts can be damaged.

This year, the scale of high-temperature damage reports for ginseng received by the Geumsan County Office stood at 11.6 hectares as of the 6th.

The total ginseng cultivation area in Geumsan County is 1,021.2 hectares (as of 2025).

As the heat has not yet subsided, Geumsan County expects damage reports to increase further.

An official from Geumsan County said, "Cases of damage to 1- and 2-year-old ginseng are being confirmed due to the recent high temperatures and dry weather," adding, "Considering the recent climate, we expect damage reports to continue coming in until mid-this month."

Geumsan County added that it has urged farms to frequently check the shading status and ventilation of existing shading facilities, and to additionally install shading nets if necessary to reduce strong direct sunlight.

It also emphasized that watering during the hot daytime can cause the soil to dry out quickly and worsen the damage, so drip irrigation using drip pipes should be conducted after sunset.

A drip pipe is an irrigation device that makes fine holes at regular intervals in a pipe or hose to let water flow slowly, supplying water locally to the soil surface or root area.

Geumsan County plans to strengthen monitoring and on-site inspections for high-temperature damage while continuously promoting technical guidance to prevent heat damage.

(Photo: Provided by Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province, Yonhap News)

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