• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.731-742
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• 2014

In the current study, we investigated effects of a combination of earthworm casting, environment-friendly by-product fertilizer, and cultivation soil of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii in a heavy fertilizing culture on diameter, height, numbers of tubercles, and chemical properties of soil thereby elucidating optimal mixture ratio for securing production as well as providing nutrients throughout cultivation period. The Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var 'Ihong', one of grafted cactus for export (Rootstock: 9 cm, Scion: $1.5{\times}1.3cm$ grafted cactus) was cultured in plastic houses of Agricultural Technology Center located in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul from June, 2013 through December, 2013. For the control group, a mixture of sand and fertilizer (50:50) was used as this ratio is widely utilized in farmhouses. In contrast, a variety mixtures of sand and earthworm casting that was produced with food wastes was compared; the mixture ratios were 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100 and pH for these mixtures were found to be similar each other (ranging between 7.1 and 7.4) which is in an appropriate range (pH 6.5-7.5) for cultivation of G. mihanovichii. The organic content was increasing along with increasing contents of earthworm casting ratio while it was lower than the treatment practice group (32-43 mg/kg vs. 55 mg/kg). The content of exchangeable cation was also increasing as the ratio of earthworm casting was elevated; although levels of $K^+$, $Na^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$ were lower than the treatment practice group, the level of $Ca^{2+}$ was higher ($9.1cmol^+/kg$ and $11.5-33.7cmol^+/kg$ in the treatment practice group and the earthworm casting group, respectively). Three months after grafting, diameters of G. mihanovichii were compared with the control group; consequently, there was a significant difference noted in between the earthworm casting group and the control group (31.39 mm vs. 32.46-37.59 mm). After 5 months, growth characteristics of G. mihanovichii were evaluated. Similarly, the diameter of G. mihanovichii was significantly increasing in the group with higher ratio of earthworm casting treatment (32.63 mm vs. 32.49-37.59 mm). The height of tubercles was 2.63 mm in the control group while it was significantly elevating along with the ratio of earthworm casting mixture. The more numbers of tubercles, the more incomes for farm-houses; as results, higher mixture ration of earthworm casting resulted more numbers of tubercles compared to the control group (2.7 vs. 3.2-8.3 ea). In particular, in the earthworm casting groups with 80% and 100% ratios, the numbers of tubercles were 6.2 and 8.3 ea, respectively, which is 2.5 times more than those of the control group. These results indicate that earthworm casting treatment may be utilized in G. mihanovichii farming houses for short term production of tubercles. In the group with 40% and 60% of earthworm casting mixture, the numbers of tubercles were found to be 4.5 and 4.8 ea, respectively which is higher than the control group as well; in these groups, there were no issues with soil drainage as well as moss formation. Given the analysis results of growth characteristics of G. mihanovichii, it was concluded that 40% and 60% of earthworm casting mixture might be the optimal ratios.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2000

This study was performed to investigate whether the earthworm cast could be reused as bulking agent in the whole processing of the food wastes using the earthworm. In addition, the growth conditions of microorganism lived upon earthworm lasts was investigated. Because the raw food wastes used in this experiment had low pH, and high moisture and organic matter contents, it was unsuitable to use as direct feeds to earthworm. However, when the food wastes were mixed with some earthworm cast, the mixtures were suitable to the feed condition and the growth environment of the earthworm. Therefore, it shows the possibility that the earthworm cast be reused as bulking agent for food wastes. In the microbiological investigation on earthworm cast, the bacteria showed most high density among the microbial species. And the microbial density showed higher under the mid-temperature than under high-temperature, and higher under the anaerobic than the aerobic condition. The drying methods of earthworm cast for the moisture adjusting, has no effect on microorganism growth whether natural or artificial drying. And the activity of enzyme presented more highly before the drying than after the drying.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.97-106
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• 2010

Earthworm, a prominent ecosystem engineer within many terrestrial ecosystems, can exert profound influences on various abiotic/biotic environments through bioturbation processes such as burrowing, casting and mixing of litter and soil. In this study, we investigated how the presence or absence of earthworm (Oligochaeta) can alter the soil physico-chemical conditions and ultimately the distribution and abundance of Collembola which constitutes a large proportion of the soil fauna. During September 2010, soil organisms along with soil samples were collected from randomly installed 20 plots in Mt. Gwan-ak. We examined the differences in the abundance of Collembola among plot samples in respect to the presence/absence of earthworm and soil physico-chemical conditions (i.e., pH, $PO_4^{3-}$, $NO_3^{2-}$, organic matter (OM), electrical conductance and water content). Analysis of soil physico-chemical environment revealed a significantly higher organic matter content and electrical conductance in plots with earthworm compared to plots without earthworm. Abundance of Collembola were not only higher in plots with earthworm than in plots without earthworm, but were also positively correlated with availability of OM present in the environment. The results suggest that positive impacts of earthworm on the abundance of Collembola in this study may have been due to their ability to effectively modify soil physico-chemical conditions favored by Collembola. Such conspicuous influence of earthworm's activity on below-ground community suggests their potential significance in forest restoration or revegetation process.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2016

Earthworm cast is a harmful factor which reduces the uniformity of management of turfgrass and play quality in golf courses and playground. This research was conducted to carry out the efficacy of some pesticide (bifenthrin GR + clothianidin GR, ethoprophos GR, imidacloprid SC, picoxystrobin WG, thiophanate-methyl WP) and tee tree (Camellia oliefera) extracts against reducing earthworm cast in golf courses. All tested materials were acted reducing earthworm cast, thiophanate-methyl among them showed the highest effect reducing earthworm casts in golf courses. Tea tree extracts was occurred similar efficacy among tested chemical pesticides. However, pellet type byproduct of tea seed extract and liquid formulation of tea tree extract were better than granule formulation of them. Byproduct of tea seed and tea tree extract can be used for alternative biological management material for reducing earthworm cast in heavily casting occurrence area.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2015

Earthworm cast occurred in surface of turfgrass in golf courses which affect turfgrass maintenance and golf play. In this study several survey of seasonal fluctuation of earthworm cast in different golf courses (Anseong, Gapyeong, Gunpo and Yongin in Gyeonggi province, and Geumjeong in Busan) was done. A number of earthworm, soil temperature and moisture of detection site of earthworm cast in each golf course were also done. Cast occurred in different golf courses are found mostly from April to November on turf surface and the cast number varied in different month as well as in golf courses. In the same golf courses, a number of detected cast was difference from individual sites. A number of cast and earthworm was correlated. Also, in higher soil moisture showed the higher cast density in different golf courses. Soil temperature and moisture of detecting cast ranging from $2.1^{\circ}C$ to $33.1^{\circ}C$ and 4.9 to 44.1%, respectively. In case of cast, soil temperature level lies in between $10-15^{\circ}C$ where the highest soil moisture was 25%.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 1995

This experiment was carried out to the effects of population density and C/N ratios of feed on the growth, reproductive effciency and cast producation of the earthworm(Eisenia foetida). The population densities of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 individuals of the earthworm fed with different C/N ratios of 25, 35, 45 and 55 cow manures were studied in rearing box($6,400cm^3$), and at the fertility stage during a period of 60 days. The results were summarized as follows; The survial rate(SR), increasing rate(IR), reproductive efficiency(RE) and cast production of the earthworms showed highest values in C/N ratio of 25. These results may indicate that C/N ratio of 25 is a very favourable feed for the growth of the earthworms. The survial rate(SR) indicated significant positive correlation with reproductive efficiency(RE) in different C/N ratios of feeds. The survial rate(SR) showed highest values in population densities of $50{\sim}100$ worms/$6,400cm^3(64.0{\sim}128.0cm^3/worm$). On the contrary, increasing rate(IR) tended to decreased with the increased population densities. The survival rate(SR) indicated significant negative correlation with reproductive efficiency(RE) in different population densities of the earthworms. The cast production estimated were $31.6mg{\sim}67.4mg/day/worm$ grown in optimum population densities($50{\sim}100\;worms/6,400cm^3$). The earthworm casting are an excellent soil conditioning material or organic fertilizer sources with a high chemical composition and their physical properties.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2012

This study was investigated to develop an alternative medium for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The cultivation characteristics for major cultivated varieties of oyster mushrooms were campared with the food waste medium. In addition, water control & a gap formation of food waste is being pointed out as a problem of the medium material. Therefore, certain amounts of earthworm casting were supplied to the food waste medium to overcome the water and compaction phenomenon. This study investigated the use of the total 6 cultivars of oyster mushrooms, the Suhan(PL.1), Chiak No. 5(PL.2), Chiak No. 7(PL.3), Samgu No. 5(PL.4), Samgu No. 8(PL.5), Jangan No. 5(PL.6). In terms of medium, the optimum growth of the mycelium of the oyster mushroom was observed in the beet pulp medium but in food waste, the mycelium's growth was observed as insufficient in the bulk of cultivars. The Jangan No. 5(PL.6) was superior to other cultivars relative to the mycelium's growth. The optimum concentration of earthworm casting added the foodwaste medium was 30%. When Jangan No. 5(PL.6) was incubated in the foodwaste meidum containing 30% earthworm casting, the early days to germination were long, almost double the amount of time than that of the beet pulp medium. However, it was found that the fruit body size was larger than that of the beet pulp by up to 20.5%, and the length of the fruit body was up to 6.2% longer than that of the beet plup. The total yields increased by 60.5%. The analysis results of the oyster mushroom's nutritional contents cultured using the food waste medium, shows that the protein, vitamin A and vitamin E increased 70.6%, 2.4%, 0.8% respectively, the fat decreased by 12.6% and the oleic acid increased in a very small amount compared to that of the beet pulp medium.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.820-825
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• 2007

Earthworm casting was the natural fertilizer that contained high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and of over $10^8$ CFU/ml of microorganisms. Greater than 80% of feed was excreted through the fermentation by the intestinal enzyme, after worm had eaten feeds such as fallen leaves and rotten roots under the ground. Also, the soil structure of casting was known to be very efficient in the aspects of the porosity, the water permeability, and deodorizing activities. In this research, the biofilter packed with a biomedia made of casting and waste polyurethane foam, a binder, which helped to improve the durability and perpetuity of casting, was investigated to degrade malodorous hydrogen sulfide gas. The biomedia had no need of extra supply of nutrients and of microbial inoculations. On the beginning of the operations, it showed 100% removal of hydrogen sulfide gas without lag phase. At SV of 50 $h^{-1}$, hydrogen sulfide gas from the outlet of the biofilter was not detected, when inlet concentration increased to 450 ppmv. After that, removal efficiency decreased as increasing inlet hydrogen sulfide concentration. Hydrogen sulfide removal was maintained at almost 93% until inlet concentration was increased up to 950 ppmv, at which the elimination capacity of $H_2S$ was 61.2 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$. Maximum elimination capacity guaranteing 90% removal was 61.2, 65.9, 84.7, 89.4 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ at SV ranging from 50 $h^{-1}$ to 300 $h^{-1}$, but was 59.3 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ at SV of 400 $h^{-1}$. The results calculated from Michaelis-Menten equation revealed that $V_m$ increased from 66.04, 88.96, 117.35, 224.15, to 227.54 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ with increasing space velocity in the range of 50 $h^{-1}$ to 400 $h^{-1}$. However, saturation constant$(K_s)$ decreased from 79.97 ppmv to 64.95 and 65.37 ppmv, and then increased to 127.72 and 157.43 ppmv.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.52-57
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• 2001

ln this study, the questionnaire survey was performed to obtain the basic data on current situations and challengeable aspects of vermicomposting industries. The questionnaire contained the four main categories such as vermicomposting facilities, feeling marerials, earthworm breeding and cast handling. The results was summarized as followings: 1. Vermicomposting facilities area was becoming larger, and earthworm feed was also expending to various organic sludges. These trends showed that Vermicomposting is being enlightened to treat and recycle the organic wastes in Korea. 2. Present Vermicomposting technology needs the broad land. Because of the high cost of land in Korea, the land saving technology such as multistage must be needed. And present operation practices are mostly based on human power, mechanization and automation is needed. Also, present control practices are based on individual experience need the scientific base control system. 3. Considering situations of organic wastes management in Korea, the technical development and the practical improvement of Vermicomposting as the waste recycling will be needed.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.6 no.3_4
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• pp.133-141
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• 1991

Vermistabilization is the stabilization of organic wastes using earthworms. The worms maintain aerobic conditions in the waste, accelerating and enhancing the biological decomposition of the waste. This study was carried out to find out fundamental factors affecting the performance of the process such as temperature, moisture content and pH condition of nightsoil sludge, and to evaluate the worms excreta (casting) as fertilizer. The results could be summarized as follows; the optimum range of temperature was observed 10~3$0^{\circ}C$ while survival rate of eathworm decreased rapidly at 35$^{\circ}C$ within 6 days and death occurred at 5$^{\circ}C$. Those of moisture content and pH condition were 50~70% and 5~8, respectively. Earthworms were revealed to change the composition of N in nightsoil sludge consisting of$NH_3$-N (71%), $NO_2$-N (2%) and $NO_3$-N (27%) into that $NH_3$-N (24%), $NO_2$-N (1%), $NO_3$-N (75%) in earthworm excreta, respectively The concentrations of NH$_3$and H$_2$S gas in pig manure were reduced by 59.2% and 45.2% in case of mixing pig manure with casting.