Comparison of Growth Patterns and Metabolite Composition of Different Ginseng Cultivars (Yunpoong and K-1) Grown in a Vertical Farm

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In general, this is a well written manuscript, besides being an interesting investigation, it presents contributions in the growth modeling of two ginseng varieties with respect to the production of primary and secondary metabolites. Likewise, I consider the work new or original enough to publish it, however, it requires some minor changes.

Changes to be made:

1. Introduction

Information regarding the cultivation of ginseng, world production, extension destined to cultivation, most producing countries and production of Korea in the year 2022 must be attached.

Explain in more detail what vertical agriculture is and mention the advantages in growing ginseng in this way, as well as attach more information about the Yunpoong and K-1 varieties.

2. Materials and Methods

Section 2.2. attach a bibliography of the described methodology.

Line 103, attach reference.

Delete section 2.3.1.

Line 123 and 140, add brand and country of the spectrophotometer.

Line 125, the formula must be passed to the journal format (MDPI).

Line 132, complement technical information regarding the absorbance technique (equipment, country and software).

The statistical test used must be attached to the methodology, as well as the experimental design and the repetitions used.

3. Results

It is recommended to add the standard error in all the tables of the writing, I also recommend eliminating both color maps, since they are repetitive results with the graphs. I could attach a graph of components, this could explain the difference between Yunpoong and K-1 with respect to the types of Protopanaxatriol.

4. Discussion

Adequate, however, it is recommended to move Table 6 to this section and explain in detail.

5. Conclusion

Eliminate table 6, it is also recommended that the authors conclude the most relevant of the research.

6. Bibliography

Adequate.

Author Response

In general, this is a well written manuscript, besides being an interesting investigation, it presents contributions in the growth modeling of two ginseng varieties with respect to the production of primary and secondary metabolites. Likewise, I consider the work new or original enough to publish it, however, it requires some minor changes.

 

Changes to be made:

1. Introduction

Information regarding the cultivation of ginseng, world production, extension destined to cultivation, most producing countries and production of Korea in the year 2022 must be attached.

             →Thank you for your comment. We have included the information regarding Korea ginseng production in 2021, which was written in August 2022. The added content can be found in lines 37-38.

“The area of ginseng grown in South Korea was 14,729 hectares, with a production of 20,772 tons in 2021 [1].”

 

Explain in more detail what vertical agriculture is and mention the advantages in growing ginseng in this way, as well as attach more information about the Yunpoong and K-1 varieties.

             →Thank you for your comment. We have provided a detailed explanation of vertical agriculture in lines 56-59 and listed the advantages of growing ginseng in this way in lines 61-63 and 65-66. In addition, information about the Yunpoong variety can be found in lines 42-43, and information about the K-1 variety can be found in lines 45-47.

*Explanation of vertical agriculture:

“A vertical farm is a multi-tier indoor plant production system that precisely controls all growth factors, including light, temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, water, and nutrients, to produce high volumes of plants [19].”

*Advantages of growing ginseng:

“In particular, vertical farms are emerging as a new method for cultivating medicinal plants for medicines and functional foods, providing customized environmental conditions suitable for high yield and high-quality plants [21].”

“Vertical farms can increase the yield [24, 25] of various crops and enable year-round production [19].”

*Yunpoong information:

“Their body of the root is cylindrical, with a medium length and large thickness, and has a high yield of fresh ginseng quality.”

*K-1 information:

“The structure of the K-1 root, a developed tap root with 2–3 lateral and numerous fine roots, is cylindrical, suitable for red ginseng production, and has stronger disease resistance.”

 

2. Materials and Methods

Section 2.2. attach a bibliography of the described methodology.

             → We have attached a bibliography of the described methodology. It can be found in lines 96-97.

“The growth characteristics of ginseng sprouts were measured at 2, 3, 4, and 5 WAT by dividing the shoot and root, such as shoot and root fresh and dry weights, the method of Nguyen et al. [27].”

 

Line 103, attach reference.

             → This reference has been attached. It can be found in line 117.

“The extract was centrifuged for 5 min, then the supernatant of 5 mL was filtered through a 0.45 μm-membrane filter, and the supernatant was used for analysis [28].”

 

Delete section 2.3.1.

             → We have rewritten the revised sections 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 separately.

 

Line 123 and 140, add brand and country of the spectrophotometer.

             → All absorbance values for biological compounds and antioxidant properties were measured using the same model of a spectrophotometer. The use of a spectrophotometer for analysis has been specified and added to line 149.

“The reaction sample was measured at 593 nm using the spectrophotometer.”

 

Line 125, the formula must be passed to the journal format (MDPI).

             → The formula has been modified to comply with the journal format (MDPI) and updated in this section.

“Radical scavenging activity (%) = [1– (absorbance value of experimental group / absorbance value of negative control group)] × 100”

 

Line 132, complement technical information regarding the absorbance technique (equipment, country and software).

             → Same spectrophotometer model was used to measure absorbance for all biological compounds and antioxidant properties, and this information has been added at line 149.

“The reaction sample was measured at 593 nm using the spectrophotometer.”

 

The statistical test used must be attached to the methodology, as well as the experimental design and the repetitions used.

             →Thank you for your comment. During the transfer of the template, it was noticed that the statistical analysis section was missing, so the statistical methods used in lines 237-250 were added, and the number of repetitions was included in line 239.

“Ginseng sprouts of 42 plants for 3 repetitions were harvested according to the WAT.”

 

3. Results

It is recommended to add the standard error in all the tables of the writing,

             → Standard errors added in all tables 1-6.

 

I also recommend eliminating both color maps, since they are repetitive results with the graphs.

             → We have removed Figures 2 and 4 following the reviewers’ comments.

 

I could attach a graph of components, this could explain the difference between Yunpoong and K-1 with respect to the types of Protopanaxatriol.

             →Thank you for your comment. We also considered it in the same way you mentioned, but the data was too extensive. When we make a graph of components, the difference between the two cultivars is more complex. Thus, we just present here with tables.

 

4. Discussion

Adequate, however, it is recommended to move Table 6 to this section and explain in detail.

             → Thank you for your comment. After receiving feedback from other reviewers, we have revised this section’s explanations. As part of this revision, we have moved Table 6 to the Results and Discussion section.

 

5. Conclusion

Eliminate table 6, it is also recommended that the authors conclude the most relevant of the research.

             → Table 6 has been moved to the Results and Discussion section, and the conclusions have been revised accordingly. The conclusion has been updated in lines 549-553.

 

6. Bibliography

Adequate.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

 

Abstract.

Line 22: The abbreviation WAT needs to be explained on first usage Suggest adding it to line 20-21: “… 4, and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT)differed between cultivars.”

 

Keywords.

Line31-32: Please remove any words from this section which appear in the title.

 

1.      Introduction.

Line 40: Suggest “ … plant length, multiple purple stems, one red fruit, …”

Line 42: Please check “tipple”.

Line 57-58: Reword sentence: “ Ahn et al. (2) compared …”

 

2.      Materials and methods. Please provide a statistical analysis description at the end of this section.

Line 67-78: I see that 42 ginseng sprouts were planted in a plastic container and cultivated in a smart farm cube. How many times was this replicated? As it currently reads, we do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Line 98-143: Please provide the replication number for each of the biological compounds and antioxidant properties investigated in this section.

Line 146-155: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

Line 160-175: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

Line 179-190: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

 

3.      Results: Suggest combining this section with the discussion section.

Table 1: Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

Table 1: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Table 2: Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

Table 2: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Table 3 Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

Table 3: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Table 4: Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

Table 4: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Table 5: Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

Table 5: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

Figure 1. Too small to make out. Please provide a better description with the figure title.

Figure 1: Please explain where the n=5 is coming from.

Figure 2: Please provide a better description/explanation with the figure title.

Figure 3. Too small to make out. Please provide a better description with the figure title.

Figure 3: Please explain where the n=5 is coming from.

Figure 4: Please provide a better description/explanation with the figure title.

Table 6: please move up to closer tot eh results section.

Table 6: Please provide standard error with the means and mean separation.

Table 6 Please provide actual numbers for the significance rather than “***”

4.      Discussions. - Suggest combining results with discussion section.

 

5.      Conclusion - This section could be expanded on and better description of what the study means.

Line 400-418: This section should be reworded as it adds little.

 

 

 

 

N/A - as in comments section.

Author Response

Abstract.

Line 22: The abbreviation WAT needs to be explained on first usage Suggest adding it to line 20-21: “… 4, and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT)differed between cultivars.”

→ Line 21: Thank you for your comment. We have made the requested revision by adding an explanation of the abbreviation.

“Growth patterns at 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after transplanting (WAT) differed between cultivars.”

 

Keywords.

Line31-32: Please remove any words from this section which appear in the title.

→ Line31-32: Thank you for your comment. We have replaced the words in this section with different terms.

“Keywords: antioxidant properties, biological compounds, ginsenoside contents, Panax ginseng, Plant factory”

 

1. Introduction.

Line 40: Suggest “ … plant length, multiple purple stems, one red fruit, …”

→ Line 41-42: Thank you for your comment. The requested revisions have been made. “‘Yunpoong’ is a Jakyung species with a short plant length, multiple purple stems, one red fruit, and stipule-shaped leaves [6].”

 

Line 42: Please check “tipple”.

→ Line 44-45: We have made the revision by replacing the words with different terms.

“Another Jakyung species, ‘K-1’ mostly has one dark purple colored stem with red fruits and long, triple-tipped oval leaves [7].”

 

Line 57-58: Reword sentence: “ Ahn et al. (2) compared …”

→ Line 69-70: Thank you for your comment. We have rewritten the sentence.

“Ahn et al. [3] examined the variation in ginsenoside content among different parts of gin-seng roots based on the ginseng variety.

 

2. Materials and methods. Please provide a statistical analysis description at the end of this section.

             → Thank you for your comment. We added the missing section on statistical analysis after realizing it was omitted during the template transfer. We have added the information from lines 237 to 250 as requested.

 

Line 67-78: I see that 42 ginseng sprouts were planted in a plastic container and cultivated in a smart farm cube. How many times was this replicated? As it currently reads, we do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have added the number of repetitions in line 87.

“For each cultivar, 42 ginseng sprouts for 3 repetitions were…”

 

Line 98-143: Please provide the replication number for each of the biological compounds and antioxidant properties investigated in this section.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have added the number of repetitions in line 113.

“Ginseng sprouts from 42 plants for 3 repetitions…”

 

Line 146-155: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

             → We have added the number of repetitions in line 165-166.

“For the analysis of pre-treated ginsenosides, ginseng sprouts from 42 plants for 3 rep-etitions…”

 

Line 160-175: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have added the number of repetitions in line 209-210.

“The primary metabolite analysis was performed for 5 repetitions.”

 

Line 179-190: As above. Please provide the replication number for this portion of the investigation.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have added the number of repetitions in line 225-226.

“The secondary metabolite analysis was performed for 5 repetitions.”

 

3. Results: Suggest combining this section with the discussion section.

             → According to your suggestion, we have combined the Results and Discussion section.

 

Table 1-5: Please provide significance for each parameter and standard error for each value, along with the mean separation already provided. If results are not significant please remove.

             →Thank you for your comment. A standard error has been added to all tables 1-6.

 

Table 1-5: I see n=42 is provided. Please explain? See comment above Line 67-78. We do not have a randomized design and no replication, just pseudo-replication. Please justify and explain.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have added the number of repetitions in line 87.

“For each cultivar, 42 ginseng sprouts for 3 repetitions were…”

 

Figure 1, 3: Too small to make out. Please provide a better description with the figure title.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have made the requested revisions by enlarging the modified figures 1 and 2 to improve their visibility. The title of Figure 1 has been changed in line 415, and the title of Figure 2 has been changed in line 436.

“Figure 1. Box plots for primary metabolite in 'Yunpoong' and 'K-1' cultivars”

“Figure 2. Box plots for secondary metabolites in 'Yunpoong' and 'K-1' cultivars.”

 

Figure 1, 3: Please explain where the n=5 is coming from.

             → We have added the number of repetitions in lines 194-195, 210-211.

“The primary metabolite analysis was performed for 5 repetitions.”

“The secondary metabolite analysis was performed for 5 repetitions.”

 

Figure 2, 4: Please provide a better description/explanation with the figure title.

             → As comments from other reviewers, we removed the original figures 2 and 4.

 

Table 6: please move up to closer tot eh results section.

             → Thank you for your comment. We have followed your suggestion and created a new section 3.5. as lines 459-464.

 

Table 6: Please provide standard error with the means and mean separation.

             → Thank you for your comment. Standard error has been added to a table 6.

 

Table 6 Please provide actual numbers for the significance rather than “***”

             → We have revised table 6 by providing specific numbers.

 

4. Discussions. - Suggest combining results with discussion section.

             → According to the suggestion, we have combined the Results and Discussion section.

 

5. Conclusion - This section could be expanded on and better description of what the study means.

Line 400-418: This section should be reworded as it adds little.

             → We have modified the conclusion and updated it in lines 540~.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

In methods section need one more part: Statistical analyzes. 

I think z and y don't need in tables. The described explanation below the table is sufficient, additional references are not required.

Table 2 isn't it mg g-1? Also the same in the text lines 218-230. Same with tables 4 and 5.

Figure 3 I suggest rearranging the figures, placing them 6 in three rows, so they can be a little bigger and look neater

I suggest moving the table from the conclusions to the end of the discussion. And in the conclusions, only briefly essential results should be left when summarizing the entire study.

 

Author Response

In methods section need one more part: Statistical analyzes.

             → Thank you for your comment. We added the missing section on statistical analysis after realizing it was omitted during the template transfer. We have added the information from lines 223 to 235 as requested.

 

I think z and y don't need in tables. The described explanation below the table is sufficient, additional references are not required.

→ We have removed the z and y labels from all tables, and left the explanations below the tables unchanged.

 

Table 2 isn't it mg g^-1? Also the same in the text lines 218-230. Same with tables 4 and 5.

→ We have checked and made corrections in lines 268-281, 339-388, and tables 4 and 5.

 

Figure 3 I suggest rearranging the figures, placing them 6 in three rows, so they can be a little bigger and look neater.

→ Based on input from other reviewers, we removed the original figures 2 and 4. We have also modified the revised figure 2 as suggested, arranging the figures with five figures per row, to improve the overall appearance and make them easier to view.

 

I suggest moving the table from the conclusions to the end of the discussion.

→ Based on input from other reviewers, we have revised the manuscript to move the table from the conclusions to a new chapter titled "Results and Discussion." This new chapter has been added as Chapter 3.5., and the relevant content can be found in lines 438-447.

 

And in the conclusions, only briefly essential results should be left when summarizing the entire study.

→ The conclusions section has been revised to include only essential results as you recommended. The revised content can be found in lines 454-466.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

  I believe that the manuscript provided has been improved and should be of interest to your readers. I believe that the manuscript is ready for publication.  There are a few formatting issues with the tables, but these would seem to be layout related and editorial. I defer to your judgement. Thank you for your consideration.

 

Minor editing of English language required