By the method of solution culture, the effects of N, P, and K deficiency on the principol components in root exudates of ginseng at its early growth stage were studied. The results showed that in treatments N and K deficiency and control, no significant difference was observed in the principal components of ginseng root exudates, and 28, 29, and 27 principal chromatographic peaks were detected by GC-MS, respectively; while in treatment P deficiency, only 22 principal chromatographic peaks were detected. Furthermore compounds in the root exudates from treatments N, P, and K deficiency and control were identified, respectively. Compared with control, treatments N and K deficiency had more kinds of organic acids and phenolic acids in root exudates, while treatment P deficiency was in adverse, which suggested that at early growth stages, ginseng had more requirement to N and K than P, and N and K deficiency would accelerate the exudation of organic acids and phenolic acids by roots.