• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.1077-1085
• /
• 2016

The present study was investigated the effect of recycled coir organic substrates on the growth of different vegetable crops. The recycled coir had better physical and chemical properties than the new coir. The growth of tomato plant was better on the coir substrate that had been used for 2 years than that on the new coir substrate. The average number of tomato fruits was 108 on the new coir substrate, while it was 179 and 165 on the coir substrate used for 1 and 2 years, respectively. The growth of cherry tomato plant was also better on the coir substrate used for 2 years than that on the new coir substrate. The average number of cherry tomato fruits was 43 on the new coir substrate, while it was 206 and 164 on the coir substrate used for 1 and 2 years, respectively. The growth of brussel sprout was better on the coir substrate used for 3 years than that on the new coir substrate and the average number of brussel sprout leaves was 26.8 on the new coir substrate, while it was 34.3 on the coir substrate used for 3 years. The growth of Korean cabbage improved on the coir substrate used for 1 years compared to the new coir substrate and the number of leaves was 15.1 on the new coir substrate, while it was 24.3 on the coir substrate used for 1 year. Thus, used coir can be recycled to improve vegetable yields compared to using new coirs.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.9
• /
• pp.1221-1231
• /
• 2015

The present study was conducted to find a way to recycle the coir substrate by investigating changes in its physical and chemical properties based on the number of use year. Specific gravity of unused coir substrate was $0.212g/cm^3$, while it was higher for the substrate used for 2 years. Porosity was different depending on the number of use year. The porosity of unused substrate was 51.9%, but it increased to 68.6% after used for 2 years. In general, physical and chemical properties were better in the coir substrate used for 2 years than in unused one. The number of leaves, leaf area, flesh weight and dry weight of oriental cabbage and lettuce were higher in coir substrate used for 2 years than those in unused one. Whereas, no significant difference was observed between the substrates used for one year and 2 years, indicating that the one time-used wast substrate could be recycled for cultivating vegetables. Growth of the vegetables was improved when organic fertilizer composed of complex organics with different mixing ratios was provided to the coir substrate, compared to untreated plot. The optimum mixing ratio of the wast substrate and complex organics was 2:8(v/v) for fertilization using wast coir substrate. Therefore, coir substrate generally wasted after being used for one time was reuseable by supplying organic fertilizer.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.937-946
• /
• 2018

This study investigated the applicability of horticultural media with recycled coir substrates the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Pekinensis) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) crop. The six different types of coir based substrates were A, Coir 45: Perlite 35: Vermiculite 12: Zeolite 8 (%), B, Coir 55: Perlite 25: Vermiculite 12: Zeolite 8 (%), C, Coir 65: Perlite 15: Vermiculite 12: Zeolite 8 (%), D, Coir 75: Perlite 5: Vermiculite 12: Zeolite 8 (%), E, Coir 85: Perlite 5: Vermiculite 5: Zeolite 5 (%) and F, nursery media (control). The pH and Electric conductivity of the horticultural nursery media were 6.06-7.00 and $0.45-1.10dS/m^{-1}$, respectively. The nursery media containing coir substrates had higher level of Total N, Ca, K, Mg and P than those without coir. Additionally, it was observed that the growth of Chinese cabbage was the best on D (containing 75% coir) while that of lettuce was the best on E (containing 85% coir). In general, when substrates containg a higher percentage of coir were used, the growth of Chinese cabbage and lettuce was ideal. Additionally, the P, Ca, and Mg content in both plants was not significantly altered by the amount of coir present in the media. However, with an increase in the amount of coir substrate, the chlorophyll, N, and K content was increased. After harvesting, there was no significant difference in the chemical properties of the horticultural nursery media of both plants. Thus, it can be suggested that, coir substrate after a single use could be recycled as horticulture nursery media.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to determine the most suitable coir substrate mixing ratio for optimizing the growth and yield of the "lpduelkkae 1" cultivar. We comprehensively analyzed the physicochemical properties, growth, and yields of four different substrate combinations: perlite (coir with mixing ratios of 70:30 (PC30), 50:50 (PC50), and 30:70 (PC70)) and 100% coir (C100). The results revealed substantial differences in substrate properties. C100 exhibited the highest total porosity and the lowest solid phase, indicating excellent air permeability. The pH levels and electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged from 5.4-6.8 and 1.2-3.1 dS·m^-1, respectively. Leaf growth parameters, including length, width, and dry weight, showed positive correlations with high coir ratios, except for PC30. PC70 and C100 outperformed other substrates in stem growth, exhibiting superior stem diameter and fresh and dry weights. The quantity of marketable leaves was the highest in the C100 substrate. Furthermore, C100 comprised integrated levels of essential nutrients, such as Ca and Mg, owing to its high coir content. In conclusion, a coir ratio of approximately 70% (v/v) should be maintained in the substrate for creating an optimal cultivation environment. Furthermore, the selection of humidity-resistant varieties as well as precise nutrient and moisture management for different seasons and growth stages are crucial for a successful perilla leaf hydroponic cultivation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.116-122
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate growth and flowering of hydroponically-grown carnation as affected by substrate and planting date, Three substrates, coir, perlite, and coir＋perlite(1：1. v/v), and two planting dates. May 1 and September 1 were used. Plant height and stem diameter at harvesting time of cut flowers were greater for the September 1 planting than for the May 1 planting. The plants planted on May 1 produced flowers with weak stems and short stem lengths. In addition, flower weight and blossom width were gloater for the September 1 planting than for the Mar 1 planting. The planting date had no significant effect on the number of petals, The carnation planted on May 1 flowered 50 days earlier compared to those Planted on September 1. Plant height and number of petals were the greatest in the plot of coir substrate. The results indicated that for commercial production of cut carnations in a hydroponic system, planting on September 1 is better than May 1. In addition. the results confirm that coir is the superior substrate for the production of cut carnations in a hydroponic system compared to either Perlite or coir＋perlite mixture.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.205-213
• /
• 2017

The current study was performed to investigate the effect of recycling coir substrates on the growth, fruit yield, and quality of strawberry plants. Analysis of physical properties revealed that the pH of a fresh coir substrate was 5.04 while those of substrates reused for one and two years were 5.20 and 5.33, respectively. The electrical conductivity (EC) of a new substrate was as high as $4.58dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. This can cause salt stress after transplanting. The EC tended to decrease as the substrate was recycled, and the EC of a two-year recycled substrate was $1.48dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The fresh substrate had lower nitrogen and calcium concentrations, but higher phosphate, potassium, and sodium concentrations than the recycled coir substrate. The coir substrates recycled for one or two years maintained better chemical properties for plant growth than the fresh substrate. Strawberry growth varied depending on the number of years that the coir substrate was recycled. In general, strawberries grown in substrates that had been reused for two years did better than those grown in substrates that had been reused once or were fresh. Ninety days after transplanting, a plant grown in a substrate that had been reused for two years contained 25 leaves, which was 3.6 more than with a fresh substrate. In addition, the plants grown in a substrate that had been reused for two years exhibited larger leaf areas than those grown in other substrates. Coir substrates that had been reused for one year increased the number and area of leaves, but not as much as the substrate that had been reused for two years. One- and two-year reused coir substrates increased the weight of strawberries produced relative to the unused substrate, but the difference was not statistically significant. The plants grown in two-year reused substrates were longer and wider, as well. Also, the number of fruits per plant was higher when substrates were reused. Specifically, the number of fruits per plant was 28.7 with a two-year reused substrate, but only 22.2 with a fresh substrate. The fruit color indices (as represented by their Hunter L, a, b values) were not considerably affected by recycling of the coir substrate. The Hunter L value, which indicates the brightness of the fruit, did not change significantly when the substrate was recycled. Neither Hunter a (red) nor b (yellow) values were changed by recycling. In addition, there were no significant changes in the hardnesses, acidities, or soluble solid-acid ratios of fruits grown in recycled substrates. Thus, it is thought that recycling the coir substrate does not affect measures of fruit quality such as color, hardness, and sugar content. Overall, reuse of coir substrates from hydroponic culture as high-bed strawberry growth substrates would solve the problems of new substrate costs and the disposal of substrates that had been used once.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control Conference
• /
• 2007.05a
• /
• pp.230-234
• /
• 2007

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.605-612
• /
• 2021

Supply electrical conductivity (EC) concentration of the nutrition solution is an important factor in the absorption of nutrients by plants and the management of the root zone, as it can control the vegetative/reproductive growth of a plant. Paprika usually undergoes its reproductive and vegetative growth simultaneously. Therefore, ensuring proper growth of the plant leads to increased yield of paprika. In this study, growth characteristics of paprika were examined according to the EC concentration of a coir and a rockwool substrate. The supply EC was 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mS·cm^-1 applied at the initial stages of the growth using the rockwool (commonly used by paprika farmers) and the coir substrate with a chip and dust ratio of 50:50 and 70:30. For up to 16 weeks of paprika growth, EC concentrations of 1.0 and 2.0 mS·cm^-1 were found to have a greater effect on the growth than EC at 4.0 mS·cm^-1. The normality (marketable) rate of fruit, the soluble solid content, and paprika growth showed that the coir was generally better than the rockwool regardless of the supply EC concentration. The values of the yield per plant at an EC concentration of 4.0 mS·cm^-1 was mostly similar at 1.6 kg (coir 50:50), 1.5 kg (coir 70:30) and 1.5 kg (rockwool), but the yield of the rockwool was 88%, which was lower than 98% and 94% yield of the coir substrate. Therefore, this concludes that coir substrate is more effective than rockwool at improving paprika productivity. The results also suggest that the use of coir substrate for paprika has many benefits in terms of reducing production costs and preventing environmental destruction during post-processing.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.292-299
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze physical and chemical properties of horticultural substrates and response of hydroponically grown two cultivars of 'Namcheon' and 'Somirang' perilla by four different substrates: coir (chip:dust = 5:5), perlite, granular rockwool, and commercial mixed substrate (cocopeat:peatmoss:vermiculite:perlite: zeolite = 50:25:10:10:5). There were no significant differences in EC and pH according to substrates. Container capacity was the greatest in granular rockwool, and it showed appropriate levels in mixed substrate and coir. Air space was higher in coir and perlite than the other treatments. Bulky density reached a proper standard in all substrates excepting coir. The leaf length and width of 'Namcheon' indicated the most in mixed substrate, though the value of 'Somirang'was greatest in coir substrate. The leaf weight of both cultivars was highest in mixed substrate, and relatively low in coir and perlite. The total yield of leaves was separated by two groups: higher group, which are mixed substrate and granular rockwool, and lower group, which are coir and perlite. There was a large gap by 28% between these two groups. Therefore, this study suggests that substrates with high water holding capacity such as mixed substrate or granular rockwool are most suitable for the hydroponic cultivation of perilla, which require sufficient moisture supply to the root zone.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2016

In this study we investigated the suitability of horticultural main organic root substrate materials (peatmoss, coir) for the development proper root substrate for working with bulb onion transplanter. We investigated seedling sprout ratio, growth and characteristics (bulk density, root substrate cohesion) those are suitable for mechanical transplanting by mixing with inorganic materials(red clay etc.). Although both seedling growth and root substrate bulk density were similar in peatmoss and coir based root substrates, we found that peatmoss mixing had higher root substrate cohesion compared to coir mixing. We assume that higher cohesion properties of peatmoss based root substrate will give more weight of root part during mechanical transplanting of young onion seedlings in the field. Because of this, we suggest that peatmoss is the appropriate ingredient for developing root substrates for working with bulb onion transplanter.