Vermicompost As a Soil Amendment for Ginseng Production.

Ginseng is a specialty crop grown in Wisconsin primarily for export. The cultivation methods of ginseng have often been secretive and there are few best management practices. This study investigates the usage of vermicompost (VC) as a soil amendment to enhance ginseng production. The hypotheses are that: disease presence may be reduced by the application of ginseng to soils, soil fertility will be enhanced by the addition of VC, above ground vegetation will be increased by VC, seed production will be increased by VC, and root mass will be increased by VC. Other effects are being investigated as well.