Evaluation of Yield and Quality in Open-field Plug Tray Cultivation of Angelica gigas Nakai Compared to Conventional Seedling Transplanting

Background: In this study, we investigated the sowing of Angelica gigas Nakai in plug trays under open-field conditions at various times. We aimed to compare and evaluate the yield and quality of Angelica gigas grown in open-field plug trays with those grown using the conventional field seedling transplantation method employed by Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-certified farms.<br/>Methods and Results: A. gigas seeds from a GAP-certified farm were stored at 4℃ before use. The seeds were sown in 128-cell plug trays from October 2022 to February 2023 and cultivated under open-field conditions until spring. The seedlings were assessed for various growth parameters in late April. Transplantation was performed in plots with standard spacing and fertilization. The establishment rate was evaluated two weeks post-transplantation, and the plants were harvested in late October for yield measurements. The indicator compounds were analyzed using HPLC. The late February sowing treatment resulted in a significantly higher yield. All open-field plug tray sowing treatments, including the late February treatment, met the pharmacopoeial standard, with total indicator compound contents of decursin, decursinol angelate, and nodakenin exceeding 6%.<br/>Conclusions: Open-field plug seedlings treatment resulted in a slightly lower yield and compound content than that observed with conventional cultivation. However, it reduced the cultivation period by over a year while still meeting the compound standards, making it a valuable method.