• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1185-1194
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• 2011

This study was carried out to estimate carbon emission using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and to establish LCI (Life Cycle inventory) DB for lettuce production system in protected cultivation. The results of data collection for establishing LCI DB showed that the amount of fertilizer input for 1 kg lettuce production was the highest. The amounts of organic and chemical fertilizer input for 1 kg lettuce production were 7.85E-01 kg and 4.42E-02 kg, respectively. Both inputs of fertilizer and energy accounted for the largest share. The amount of field emission for $CO_2$, $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ for 1 kg lettuce production was 3.23E-02 kg. The result of LCI analysis focused on GHG (Greenhouse gas) showed that the emission value to produce 1 kg of lettuce was 8.65E-01 kg $CO_2$. The emission values of $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ to produce 1 kg of lettuce were 8.59E-03 kg $CH_4$ and 2.90E-04 kg $N_2O$, respectively. Fertilizer production process contributed most to GHG emission. Whereas, the amount of emitted nitrous oxide was the most during lettuce cropping stage due to nitrogen fertilization. When GHG was calculated in $CO_2$-equivalents, the carbon footprint from GHG was 1.14E-+00 kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$. Here, $CO_2$ accounted for 76% of the total GHG emissions from lettuce production system. Methane and nitrous oxide held 16%, 8% of it, respectively. The results of LCIA (Life Cycle Impact assessment) showed that GWP (Global Warming Potential) and POCP (Photochemical Ozon Creation Potential) were 1.14E+00 kg $CO_2$-eq. $kg^{-1}$ and 9.45E-05 kg $C_2H_4$-eq. $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Fertilizer production is the greatest contributor to the environmental impact, followed by energy production and agricultural material production.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-721
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• 2011

In case of plastic film greenhouses cultivating fresh vegetables on paddy soil, soil characteristics must be considered as more important factor than any other factors. Generally after the four years of cultivation, soils tend to increase electrical conductivity value, nutrient unbalance and soil pests. As a result, degradation of agricultural products occurred, therefore it is necessary to improve soil conditions. In this study, yield and economic cost of cucumber were analyzed. The best soil conditions for cucumber cultivation were alluvial or valley in soil topology, moderately or poorly drainage in soil drainage classes, coarse loamy soil in texture. In addition, rich-sunlight and-deep groundwater would be proper for the cucumber cultivation. Good environmental managements of plastic film greenhouse were as follows. The temperature needed to be adjusted three times. The optimal daytime temperature could be $22{\sim}28^{\circ}C$, the one from 12 until night could be $14{\sim}15^{\circ}C$, and the temperature from 24 to sunrise could be $10{\sim}12^{\circ}C$. During plant growth period, soil moisture content was as low as 10~15%, and it needed to be maintained as 15~20% during reproductive growth period. To control pests, catch crop cultivation and solar treatment were carried out, after those EC was reduced and the root-knot nematode was controled too. Cucumber yield from the plot with improved soil managements increased to $158.4Mg\;ha^{-1}$, but plot with successive cropping injury yielded $140.3Mg\;ha^{-1}$. The income from the plot with improved soil managements was 215,676 thousand won $ha^{-1}$, the plot with successive cropping injury was 131,649 thousand won $ha^{-1}$. Income rate of each plot was 51.8% and 38.4%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.981-986
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of fertilizer and organic resource annual dressing for 30 years of Jeonbug series (silt loam) on soil properties and rice N uptake in paddy field soil. In the study field, treatments including control (NPK), NPK+rice straw, NPK+rice straw compost and nitrogen fertilization levels at 0, 100, 150, 200, 250 kg $ha^{-1}$ have been imposed for 30 years. Soil hardness and bulk density decreased from 15.7 mm and 1.381 Mg $m^{-3}$ in the control to 12.5 mm and 1.244 Mg $m^{-3}$ in NPK+rice straw compost treatment, respectively, indicating improvement of soil physical conditions such as porosity. Co-application of straw compost with NPK also result in a better chemical properties than NPK alone as it increased available phosphate (from 96 to 133 mg $kg^{-1}$), available silicate (from 81 to 116 mg $kg^{-1}$), and cation exchange capacity (from 9.8 to 11.4 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$). Soil organic matter concentration of top soil (0 to 7.5 cm in depth) was higher in NPK+rice straw and NPK+rice straw compost than in control. Fertilizer N uptake amount was much higher in NPK+rice straw (nitrogen fertilization level; 250 kg $ha^{-1}$) and NPK+rice straw compost (nitrogen fertilization levels; 200, 250 kg $ha^{-1}$) plots compared to the control (nitrogen fertilization level; 100 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot. Nitrogen use efficiency was showed significantly high in the NPK+rice straw compost (nitrogen fertilization levels; 100, 150 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot compared to the control (nitrogen fertilization level; 100 kg $ha^{-1}$) plot. Therefore, it was suggested that application of organic inputs is helpful in improving soil fertility and physical conditions and thus in N uptake.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.930-936
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• 2010

There is very important to investigate long-term trend of soil chemical properties and quality index for sustainable agriculture and production of agricultural safety products. Monitoring on soil chemical properties in paddy soils was conducted as one cycle with 4 years from 1999 to 2007. Paddy soil samples were taken from 4,007, 1,970, 2,070 sites in 1999, 2003 and 2007, respectively. With these data, soil quality index (SQI) was evaluated by method that Yoon et al suggested in 2004. Chemical properties of paddy soils were 5.8 for pH, 24 g $kg^{-1}$ for organic matter, 132 mg $kg^{-1}$ for available phosphate, 0.29 cmol_c\; kg-1 for exchangeable potassium, 4.7 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$ for exchangeable calcium, 1.3 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$ for exchangeable magnesium and 126 mg $kg^{-1}$ for available silicate in 2007. Long-term change was shown that pH has increased gradually whereas exchangeable potassium has decreased. However, reasonably large changes were found. Exchangeable calcium and available silicate level in 1999 was 4.0 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$, 86 mg $kg^{-1}$, but had risen to 4.7 $cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$, 126 mg $kg^{-1}$ in 2007, respectively. The change of paddy soils quality index was increased gradually and increasement of silicate quality index was higher than other quality indicators.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.945-953
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of swine liquid manure (SLM) on rice grown in Yeonggwang-gun in 2008. The treatments consisted of SLM and chemical fertilizer (CF) based on the recommended amount of nitrogen (11 kg N $10a^{-1}$). The Total N content of the SLM used was 2,881 mg $L^{-1}$. Plant height at the early stage of growth and tiller number were not significantly different between plots applied with swine liquid manure and those with chemical fertilizer in all areas. Plant height at the later stage of growth, lodging and yield were not significantly different between plots applied with swine liquid manure and those with chemical fertilizer in three areas (Baeksu, Gunnam, Beopseong). Plant height at the later stage of growth, as well as lodging were higher in SLM plots than in chemically fertilized plots in Yeonggwang and Yeomsan. However, grain yield was lower in SLM plots than in chemically fertilized plots in these areas. Soil organic matter content and exchangeable cations increased in the swine liquid manure applied plots. Moreover, heavy metal content did not increase in the plots treated with swine liquid manure. Further research to determine the suitable rate of swine liquid manure is needed to reduce lodging damage and to increase the yield and quality of rice.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.364-370
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• 2009

This study was conducted to survey, analyze on the compaction layer and the plow layer at Jeonbug and Jisan series paddy soil, which is the representative soil in fluvio-marine and local alluvium, respectively. The depths of surface soil were 12.6 and 12.7 cm in Jeonbug and Jisan series, respectively. A plowing depth was 10.5 cm. The properties of compaction layer in two soil series were as follows. The hardness were $14.7kg\;cm^{-2}(25.3mm)$ and $8.7kg\;cm^{-2}(22.1mm)$ in Jeonbug and Jisan series, respectively. The thickness were 22.3 cm and 17.8 cm in Jeonbug and Jisan series, respectively. The depth of soil compaction, which means depth from surface, were 15 and 20 cm in Jeonbug and Jisan series, respectively. The relationship between the hardness of compaction layer and the depth of surface soil showed negative correlation, however relationship between the hardness and the thickness of compaction layer showed positive correlation. Soil temperature was lower in compaction layer than in plow layer. This temperature differences between compaction layer and plow layer were from 1.0 to $2.5^{\circ}C$ in Jeonbug series and from 0.7 to 2.1 in Jisan series. The soil physical properties of compaction layer were higher in bulk density and solid phase and lower in porosity and gaseous phase than those of plow layer in all soil series. The soil chemical properties of compaction layer were higher in pH, content of available silicate, exchangeable calcium and magnesium but lower in total nitrogen, content of organic matter and available phosphate than those of plow layer in all soil series. Cation exchangeable capacity and content of exchangeable potassium were similar between compaction layer and plow layer in Jeonbug series, however, in Jisan series these were lower in compaction layer than in plow layer. Elution amount of inorganic nitrogen were lower in compaction layer than in plow layer in all soil series. The content of soluble Fe and Mn were plenty in compaction layer compared with plow layer and these tendency was apparent in Jeonbug series. The water depth decrease were fast until the latter part of June, and were slow as $1{\sim}3mm\;day^{-1}$ for July and August, and were fast again from september. Rice roots distributions as each soil series and tillage method were 25 cm at rotary plowing in Jeonbug series, 30 cm at deep plowing in Jeonbug series, and 20 cm at tillage in Jisan series. Dry weight per m2 at heading stage were much in order of deep plowing in Jeonbug series, rotary plowing in Jeonbug series, and tillage in Jisan series.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2009

Detailed information on soil characteristics is of great importance for the use and conservation of soil resources that are essential for human welfare and ecosystem sustainability. This paper introduces soil inventory of Korea focusing on national soil database establishment, information systems, use, and future direction for natural resources management. Different scales of soil maps surveyed and soil test data collected by RDA (Rural Development Administration) were computerized to construct digital soil maps and database. Soil chemical properties and heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils including vulnerable agricultural soils were investigated regularly at fixed sampling points. Internet-based information systems for soil and agro-environmental resources were developed based on 'National Soil Survey Projects' for managing soil resources and for providing soil information to the public, and 'Agroenvironmental Change Monitoring Project' to monitor spatial and temporal changes of agricultural environment will be opened soon. Soils data has a great potential of further application in estimation of soil carbon storage, water capacity, and soil loss. Digital mapping of soil and environment using state-of-the-art and emerging technologies with a pedometrics concept will lead to future direction.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.393-398
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• 2009

This study was conducted to reclassify Yongdang series based on the second edition of Soil Taxonomy : A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys. Morphological properties of typifying pedon of Yongdang series were investigated and physico-chemical properties were analyzed according to Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. The typifying pedon of Yongdang series has dark reddish brown (5YR 2/3) silt loam Ap horizon (0~14 cm), dark brown (7.5YR 2/3) silt loam BA horizon (14~32 cm), dark brown (7.5YR 2/3) clay loam Bt horizon (32~57 cm), dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) silty clay loam Btx1 horizon (57~110 cm), and dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) silty clay loam Btx2 horizon(more than 110 cm). That occurs on gently sloping lava plain and is derived from baslt materials. The typifying pedon has an argillic horizon from a depth of 32 to more than 110 cm and a fragipan from a depth of 57 to more than 110 cm. That has a base saturation (sum of cations) of 35% or more at 75 cm below the upper boundary of the fragipan. That can be classified as Alfisol, not as Inceptisol. The typifying pedon has udic soil moisture regime, and can be classified as Udalf. That has a fragipan with an upper boundary within 100 cm of the mineral soil surface, and keys out as Fragiudalf. Also that meets the requirements of Typic Fragiudalf. That has 18% to 35% clay at the particle-size control section, and has thermic soil temperature regime. Yongdang series can be classified as fine loamy, mixed, thermic family of Typic Fragiudalfs, not as fine loamy, mixed, thermic family of Aquic Eutrudepts.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2009

Heavy metal pollution may be one of the most serious challenges confront crop production and human health. Therefore, the selection of heavy metal tolerance cultivars which adapted to the contaminated fields will introduced a suitable solution for management this critical environmental risk. The objectives of this research is to assess human health risk using geochemical analyses and exposure assessment of heavy metals in rice cultivars. Risk for inhabitants in the closed mine area was comparatively assessed for As, Cd, Cu and Pb in 10 rice varieties as a major exposure pathway. The average daily dose (ADD) of each heavy metal was estimated by analyzing the exposure pathways to rice and soil. For the non-carcinogenic risk characterization, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated using toxicity indices provided by US-EPA IRIS. The different rice varieties revealed a wide range of HI values from 23.6 to 34.3, indicating that all rice varieties have a high potential toxic risk. The DA rice variety showed the lowest HI value while the TB rice variety the highest. The probabilities of cancer risk for As via rice consumption were varied with rice varieties ranging from 2.0E-03 to 3.5E-03 which exceeded the regulatory acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 set by US-EPA. The DA rice variety also showed the lowest value while the TB rice variety gave the highest value. Our results indicate that risk assessment can be contribute to screen the pollution safe rice cultivars in paddy fields affected by the mining activity.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1040-1046
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• 2010

This research is composed of a series of survey of existing plants species by classifying biotope type of agro-ecosystem of Guksoo village area of Yangpyeong County, to collect and analyze basic data of vegetation analysis for indicators development of agro-ecosystem habitat quality. From the observation area, we found total 141 kinds of tracheophytes (53 Family 114 Genus 124 Species 16 Variety 1 Breed) and they are 3.36% of total Korean tracheophytes (4,191 kinds). Among those 141 tracheophytes, there are 23 kinds of naturalized plants (11 Family 20 Genus 20 Species 2 Variety) and they are 8.61% of total Korean naturalized plants (267 kinds). Among those 141 tracheophytes, they include 0.71% of pteridophyte, 0.71% of gymnosperm, 98.58% of angiosperm. So, most of them are angiosperm. When we classify them according to plant life form characteristics, dormant/diapause type plants include 45 species (31.91%) of annual plant (Th), 19 species (13.48%) of Th (w), 17species (12.06%) of hemicryptophyte (H). Regarding propagation type, as for the Radicoid form, there are 99 species (70.21%) of crumb structure plant, 13 species (9.22%) of $R_4$, 12 species (8.51%) of $R_{2.3}$ are the crumb structure does not make any connection on the ground or under ground. As for the Disseminule form of propagation type, there are 62 species (43.97%) of Gravity dispersal type $D_4$), 23 species (16.31%) of Wind dispersal type ($D_1$), 21 species (14.89%) of $D_{1.4}$. According to this survey of plant distribution rate by plant life form characteristics, we may acquire many knowledge about species composition of sociability, cluster's reaction against environmental elements, space usage and possible species competition in community. It may be very useful basic data for habitat preservation to keep and promote biological diversity.