This study was conducted to investigate the optimum temperature and light intensity of photosynthesis and transmittance in the shade for better growth and root yield of ginseng. The 3-year-old ginseng plants grown under the shade of 5, 10 and 20% transmittance did not show any significant difference in the stem length, stem diameter, leaf area and root length. The root diameter markedly increased under the shade of 10% and 20% transmittance, and the root was the heaviest under the shade of 20% transmittance. The 6-year-old ginseng plants grown at 20% transmittance showed the largest root diameter but the root length was not influenced by transmittance. The root was heaviest in the shade of 20% transmittance.