• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Objectives : The various grape extracts derived from grape pulp, seed and skin, containing various types of polyphenols and flavonoids, have been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and improve cardiovascular condition as well as sun's damaging effects. However, there have been rare reports of various beneficial effects of grape fruit stem extract (GFSE), one of the waste products of grapes. We investigated anti-inflammatory and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of GFSE. Methods : One-hundred gram of grape fruit stem was extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature for 3 days. After filtration, the ethanol was removed using vacuum evaporator, then lyophilized to obtain the dry extract which was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until used. NO levels were measured by using Greiss reagent. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by ELISA assay. The expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results : GFSE reduced the level of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in a dose-dependent manner, compared to control. Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein were also effectively inhibited by the GFSE. In a tyrosinase inhibitory activity, GFSE significantly reduced the tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose dependent manner, compared to control. GFSE also decreased the expression of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), known as a melanocyte-specific gene product involved in melanin synthesis. Conclusions : Therefore, these results indicated that GFSE had powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effects.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.440-447
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• 2022

Background: Agricultural handle equipment is present on all production areas' farms. They are handy and portable; however, excessive use can lead to acute traumas or accidental injuries. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and hand-arm vibrations predispose them to pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to observe the interaction of handle equipment in terms of electromyographic activity and analyze the postural work-related alterations. Materials and methods: Twenty male agricultural operators, mean age 24±1.54 years, underwent the electromyographic analysis testing their muscular activities with a brushcutter, electric saw, and hedge trimmer in four different test conditions. Results: The brushcutter proved to be the agricultural handle equipment with the higher mean frequency (3.37±0.38 Hz) and root mean square (5.25±1.24 ms^-2). Furthermore, the digital postural analysis showed a general asymmetry of the main arm and the respective side of the trunk. The head resulted right inclined in the anterior frontal plane by 5.7°±1.2°; the right scapula lower than the left in the posterior frontal plane (8.5°±1.8°), and a working trunk inclination of 34.15°±5.7°. Conclusions: Vibrations of handle equipment and awkward working postures represent a risk for agricultural operators. Preventive measures are required to avoid young operators from experiencing musculoskeletal disorders all lifelong.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.175-185
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the physiological and ecological characters of rice cultivars suitable for low fertilized condition. 5 rice cultivars(Jinmibyeo, Sobibyeo, Hwayeongbyeo, Nagdongbyeo and Junambyeo) were cultivated for selection under 3 different nitrogen application levels, and 1 cultivars were selected. The results obtained are summarized as follows ; High yielded rice cultivars under low N application level were Junambyeo, Jinheng and Sobibyeo. Also these cultivars were yielded highly under conventional level(11kg/10a). Milled rice yield under conventional level(11kg/10a) was positively correlated with them under low N levels. Milled rice yield was most affected by no. of grain/m². Rice cultivars that were high crop growth rate(CGR) before heading stage were Junambyeo, Sobibyeo and Nagdongbyeo. Grain filling rate was increased mostly until 20 days after heading, and decreased after this stage. Nitrogen use efficiency was higher under low N level(5.5kg/10a) than conventional level(11kg/10a). Especially, Junambyeo was most low in Apparent recovery of applied N(AR) under low N application level, but most high in Agronomic N use efficiency(ANUE). This characteristics of Junambyeo will to be useful for selection of variety suitable for growing under low fertilized condition.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1143-1152
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• 2012

We established a top-down methodology to estimate carbon footprint as national mean value (reference) with the statistical data on agri-livestock incomes in 2007. We also established LCI (life cycle inventory) DB by a bottom-up methodology with the data obtained from interview with farmers from 4 large-scale farms at Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do province to estimate carbon footprint in 2011. This study was carried out to compare top-down methodology and bottom-up methodology in performing LCA (life cycle assessment) to analyze the difference in GHGs (greenhouse gases) emission and carbon footprint under conventional rice cultivation system. Results of LCI analysis showed that most of $CO_2$ was emitted during fertilizer production and rice cultivation, whereas $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ were mostly emitted during rice cultivation. The carbon footprints on conventional rice production system were 2.39E+00 kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ by top-down methodology, whereas 1.04E+00 kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ by bottom-up methodology. The amount of agro-materials input during the entire rice cultivation for the two methodologies was similar. The amount of agro-materials input for the bottom-up methodology was sometimes greater than that for top-down methodology. While carbon footprint by the bottom-up methodology was smaller than that by the top-down methodology due to higher yield per cropping season by the bottom-up methodology. Under the conventional rice production system, fertilizer production showed the highest contribution to the environmental impacts on most categories except GWP (global warming potential) category. Rice cultivation was the highest contribution to the environmental impacts on GWP category under the conventional rice production system. The main factors of carbon footprints under the conventional rice production system were $CH_4$ emission from rice paddy field, the amount of fertilizer input and rice yield. Results of this study will be used for establishing baseline data for estimating carbon footprint from 'low carbon certification pilot project' as well as for developing farming methods of reducing $CO_2$ emission from rice paddy fields.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.364-371
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the impact of rapid temperature change at spring and the early summer seasons in climate change, we have investigated the physiological response and yield of onion in a greenhouse with thermostat control system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seedlings of onion(cv. Sunshine) were planted on October 30, 2012 and harvested on May 30, 2013. The used treatments(March-April-May) for a rapid temperature change were T0(control): $6.0-10.4-17.2^{\circ}C$, T1: $6.0-5.4(-5)-17.2^{\circ}C$, T2: $6.0-10.4-22.2(+5)^{\circ}C$ and T3: $6.0-5.4(-5)-22.2(+5)^{\circ}C$. Total yields of bulb within the temperature change as high temperature treatment T2 and control treatment T0 were increased significantly(p<0.05), as compared to the low temperature treatment T1. Low temperature conditions significantly (p<0.05) reduced plant height, SPAD reading, crude protein and fiber etc., as compared to the TO and T2. CONCLUSION: The rapid temperature changes were highly affected by low temperature than high temperature. These results suggest that rapid climate change of future could need systematic standard model for physiological characteristics and yields of onion.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta Indica extract(AIE) and Sophorae radix extract(SRE) are widely used as environment-friendly organic materials of plant origin in South Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the in vitro micronucleus(vitMN) tests of two samples of AIE and SRE were conducted to evaluate their genotoxicity using the Chinese hamster lung(CHL) cell. This study was composed of two parts; cytochalasin B(cyto B) test and non-cyto B test. Mitomycin C and colchicine were used as positive controls. As a result, the incidence of micronucleus(MN) in all AIE and SRE treated groups increased in dose-dependent manner, but were less than 2.2% in 1,000 binucleated cells. In addition, there were no significant increases of MN incidence in all AIE and SRE treated groups, compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we suggest that AIE samples and SRE samples used in this study may have no genotoxicity in the in vitro micronucleus test using the CHL cells. In our previous study, we reported that AIE and SRE did not cause genotoxicity in Ames test. According to the genotoxicity battery system, we concluded that AIE and SRE used in this study have no genotoxic effects to humans.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.428-435
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• 2015

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed for each soil horizon to estimate hydraulic characteristics of mountainous forest soils in South Korea. Twenty one dominant soil series from 8 soil catenae such as granite-originated catena and volcanic ash-originated catena were selected for the study; gravel contents of selected soils were 10% or lower. Saturated conductivity (Ks) was measured for each horizon in situ. Particle size distribution and organic matter content of each horizon were also determined. Based on correlation analysis with total data set, sand separate showed positive relationship with Ks ($r=0.24^*$) while clay separate had negative relationship with Ks ($r=-0.29^{**}$). The correlation coefficients of sand, clay, and organic matter content with Ks increased to $0.41^{**}$, $-0.67^{***}$, and $0.58^{***}$, respectively, using data from granite- or gneiss-originated catena with exception of volcanic ash-originated catena and sedimentary rock-originated catena. Determination coefficients of PTFs were 0.31 for A horizon, 0.25 for B, and 0.35 for C with all data set while those were 0.74 for A, 0.48 for B, and 0.54 for C. Organic matter was a dominant factor affecting Ks in A horizon but clay content was selected as the only factor influencing Ks in C horizon. It implies that PTFs should be developed with understanding characteristics of parent materials and horizons. Developed PTFs for granite- or gneiss-originated catena were following: A horizon: Log ($K_s{\times}10^7$) = -0.031C + 0.398OM + 3.49 B horizon: Log ($K_s{\times}10^7$) = -0.028C + 0.141OM + 4.05 C horizon: Log ($K_s{\times}10^7$) = -0.072C + 4.66 where C is clay separate (%) and OM is organic matter content ($g\;kg^{-1}$). The unit of Ks is cm $sec^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate an effects on ago-chemical alternative materials such as the wood vinegar, a lactic acid bacteria serum, the fermented plant juice, the brown rice vinegar and a Chitosan used for amount and qualities of fruits and to examine the pest protection efficiency for their uses in the apple and pear orchard farms. An apple yields in the orchard cultivated with using the ago-chemical alternative materials without appling the fertilizer and pesticides were decreased at 56% relative to the conventional farming practice method. Also, it was indicated that there was difficult to produce the fruits with marketability because the small sizes of fruits were produced. For the quality of fruits, the brix of apple produced in the orchard cultivated with using the ago-chemical alternative materials was similar, but Vitamin C content was greater than that of the conventional farming practice method. As a results of treating with the wood vinegar, a lactic acid bacteria serum, the fermented plant juice, the brown rice vinegar and a Chitosan instead of applying pesticides, the fruit disease in the Chitosan treatment was a little decreased, but was great occurred in the other treatments compared with the conventional farming practice mehod. However, it observed that brix and Vitamin C content of apple produced in the Chitosan, brown rice vinegar, fermented plan juice and fish amino acid treatments and in the Chitosan, brown rice vinegar, charcoal power and peat moss treatments were greater than those of the conventional farming practice method, respectively. Over all, it considered that there was very difficult to manage the orchard depended on the ago-chemical alternative materials without appling the chemical fertilizer and pesticides in the apple orchard, but it might be proper to use the ago-chemical alternative materials as an auxiliary means to decrease the appling amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. Furthermore, the general effects on the ago-chemical alternative materials to the perennial fruits should be investigated with considering the changes of soil fertility, soil microbial status and natural enemy creatures after treating them for a long time.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.71-84
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• 2004

There is a growing demand for agrometeorological information that end-users can use and not just interesting information. lo achieve this, each region/community needs to develop and provide localized climate and weather information for growers. Additionally, provide tools to help local users interpret climate forecasts issued by the National Weather Service in the country. Real time information should be provided for farmers, including some basic data. An ideal agrometeorological information system includes several components: an efficient data measuring and collection system; a modern telecommunication system; a standard data management processing and analysis system; and an advanced technological information dissemination system. While it is conventional wisdom that, Internet is and will play a major role in the delivery and dissemination of agrometeorological information, there are large gaps between the "information rich" and the "information poor" countries. Rural communities represent the "last mile of connectivity". For some time to come, TV broadcast, radio, phone, newspaper and fax will be used in many countries for communication. The differences in achieving this among countries arise from the human and financial resources available to implement this information and the methods of information dissemination. These differences must be considered in designing any information dissemination system. Experience shows that easy across to information more tailored to user needs would substantially increase use of climate information. Opportunities remain unexplored for applications of geographical information systems and remote sensing in agro meteorology.e sensing in agro meteorology.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1141-1149
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to analyze quality changes during storage of fresh-cut produce (leafy vegetables and condiment vegetables) as a function of packaging and storage temperature. Fresh-cut produce was washed using a three step cleaning process and was packed in vacuum packaging (green onion, hot pepper, onion, baechu) and perforated film packaging (buchu and perilla leaf). The effects of packaging method and storage temperature on quality of fresh-cut produce were determined by analyzing total plate counts, E. coli, coliform groups, moisture content, pH, Aw, surface color, and exterior quality during storage at 4 and 10$^{\circ}C$. According to the results, surface color change and microbial growth were delayed during storage at 4$^{\circ}C$. Additionally, E. coli was not detected during storage. Generally, moisture content decreased in the perforated film packaging. Changes in surface quality such as skin browning, softening of tissue and chlorosis at 4$^{\circ}C$ were inhibited, whereas rapid vacuum annealing and changes in color and flavor were observed in the sample stored at 10$^{\circ}C$. The result indicated that overall quality of the fresh-cut produce at 4$^{\circ}C$ was well maintained. The perforation in packing materials did not significantly increase the number of microorganisms on buchu and perilla leaf. The proper packaging methods and temperature may beneficial effect on microbial safety, quality and thus result in longer shelf-life fresh-cut vegetables during distribution.