Elemental Composition of the Leaves of Panax ginseng (Araliaceae)in Natural Populations of the Primorye Territory
The elemental composition of the leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., collected in four natural populations of the Primorye Territory, was studied. The content of 53 chemical elements was determined. Groups of major, trace and ultratrace elements were distinguished. The high positive correlation between the content of Ca and S, Mg and Si, Fe and Sr, Mn and Ba, Ge and Y in the leaves was established. A correlation-related association of elements, including Pb, Sb, Cd, Ni, B, was identified in the trace element composition. A negative correlation was found between the content of As and Rb in the leaves. The major element composition of P. ginseng leaves is characterized by a significant stability. The maximum accumulation of chemical elements found in Shkotov population was 1.3 times higher than the minimum one in Chuguevsk population. Depending on the geographical location, the content of trace elements in ginseng leaves varies both in the accumulation of individual elements and in the sum of accumulated elements. The maximum values of the coefficient of variation were observed in the content of W (113%), Be, Rb, Mo (65–67%). For the compared ginseng populations, the border values of the total accumulation of trace elements differ by 1.5 times with maximum value for Spassk population, and the minimum one for the Shkotov population. The biological accumulation coefficient (BAC) indicates the poor accumulation of most elements by P. ginseng leaves. Only 4 major elements (S, K, Ca, P) are characterized by high accumulation (BAC = 8.4–1.3). The BAC of other elements decreases from 0, 51 (Cu) to 0.002 (Al, V), and reflects biological capturing of elements. The tendency of predominant accumulation of all major elements (except Na) in the P. ginseng leaves as opposed to seeds, stems and underground parts was observed. The specificity of P. ginseng leaves elemental composition was expressed in a reduced content of Mn, Pb, V, Co, and in a significant enrichment of K over standard values calculated for large areas.