The changes of microbial communities of rhizospheric soil in different ages are speculated to cause soil-borne diseases and replanting problem in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) cultivation. This study analyzed the physicochemical properties and microbial communities of rhizospheric soil during the planting of American ginseng in the Wendeng area of Weihai, China. The water content and organic matter content of American ginseng rhizospheric soil decreased year by year. A decline in the diversity of bacteria and fungi was observed in the rhizospheric soils planting American ginseng compared with the traditional crop wheat in the control group. During the later planting stage, the abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Basidiomycota were lower, whereas that of Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, and Mucoromycota were higher. Through the correlation analysis between environmental factors and microbial community, it was found that the content of soil phosphorus was significantly positively correlated with the root rot pathogen Fusarium. The results of functional prediction showed that the decrease of secondary metabolite synthesis of rhizospheric soil bacteria and the increase of plant pathogenic fungi may be the important reasons for the increase of diseases in the later stage of American ginseng planting. This study revealed the evolution of rhizosphere microbial community and function in the process of American ginseng planting, which is valuable for planting management.
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