OGIRC

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

University of Western Ontario

Dept. Biology

We have initiated the development of molecular and biotechnology-oriented protocols to establish several cultivars for the production of uniquely Ontario ginseng with predictable quality, safety, and medicinal properties. A three-pronged approach consisting of: i) selection of genetic stocks with uniform agronomic and phytochemical properties, ii) phytochemical analyses of the plant materials for ginsenosides and polysaccharides profiles; and, iii) screening for pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo.  This information and the use of newly developed micropropagation and genetic characterization techniques is the basis of the accelerated development of “cultivars” for the production of Ontario-grown N.A. ginseng and its branding based on unique genomic, phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics.  An efficient six-step in vitro tissue culture system has been developed which can produce large numbers of genetically identical plants in about 24 weeks. With this strategy in mind, a program of genomic profiling of North American Ginseng land races to develop genetic ‘markers’ has been initiated with the following priorities/objectives:

● Characterization of Ontario land races and accessions using genomics technologies;
● Development of Ontario ginseng cultivars with superior phytochemical profiles;
● Development of ginseng cultivars with consistent genetic and phytochemical profiles and correlated efficacies – an Ontario brand of ginseng.