Transcriptome and physiological analysis of the response mechanism of Panax ginseng to Benazolin of sulfonylurea herbicide

Weeds are among the main pests in the cultivation of Panax ginseng, severely restricting high-quality production. This challenge emphasises the need for effective herbicides suitable for P. ginseng. In this study, P. ginseng grown with benazolin was used to detect digestion dynamics and residual amounts, determine physiological indicators, and carry out transcriptome sequencing. The dynamic results of digestion showed that the residue was 0.07 mg·kg^-1 at 21 days, decreasing to less than 0.01 mg·kg^-1 at the harvesting stage. Following benazolin application, chlorophyll a and b contents increased significantly, reaching 1.35 and 1.52 times those of the control group (CK) after 14 days. Sensitivity time varied for superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT). By enhancing the synthesis and biomass accumulation of Rb1, Rb2, etc. Compared with the control group, the root fresh and dry weights increased by 47.19% and 55.85%, respectively. Root polysaccharide synthesis was 1.41 times higher than that for CK. Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathway found that its differential genes were enriched in pathways related to photosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism. The result shows that benazolin is suitable for P. ginseng cultivation and is of great significance for improving quality.