• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2019

With South Korea's limited capability of feed production because of its relatively small cultivable area, the country is pushed to depend on foreign feed imports despite the immensely fluctuating price of corn. Hence, intensive efforts to increase the total cultivable area in Korea like extending of farming to mountainous area is being practiced. Corn was planted in Goesan County, a mountainous area in the country. Grain and stover were harvested separately in three harvest periods: early-harvest (Aug 8), mid-harvest (Aug 18), and late-harvest (Aug 28). The nutrient composition such as dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) was determined after harvest. Effective degradability (ED) of the major nutrients (DM, NDF, ADF, and CP) were measured through in vitro fermentation of rumen fluid from Hanwoo (Korean cattle). pH, ammonia-N concentration, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, and gas production were periodically measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Corn grain showed higher nutrient content and ED than stover. It also had higher gas production but its pH, ammonia-N, and total VFA concentration were lower than corn stover. The best nutrient composition of corn grain was observed in early-harvest (high CP, EE, NDF, OM, NFC, and low ADF). Early-harvest of corn grain also had high effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM), effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF), effective degradability of acid detergent fiber (EDADF), and total VFA concentration. On the other hand, the best nutrient composition of stover was observed in mid-harvest (high DM, CP, NDF, and low ADF). EDDM, EDNDF, and EDADF were pronounced in early-harvest and mid-harvest of stover but the latter showed high total VFA concentration. Hence, early and mid-harvested corn stover and grain in a mountainous area preserved their nutrients, which led to the effective degradation of major nutrients and high VFA production.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.110-123
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• 2021

We investigated geochemical constituents of pore-water and sediment, rates of organic carbon (C_org) oxidation and sulfate reduction (SR), and benthic nutrient flux (BNF) to elucidate characteristic of C_org oxidation and its control in the coastal area near Lake Shihwa. The study sites were selected in the vicinity of Soraepogu (E0), Songdo tidalflat (E1) and Oido dock (E3) and in front of floodgate Shihwa tidal plant (E5). The C_org contents in the sediments and concentrations of ammonium and phosphate in pore water exhibited the highest value at EO, and gradually decreased toward the outer sea (E1, E3, E5). Rates of anaerobic C_org oxidation (260.6 mmol C m^-2 d^-1) and SR (91.4 mmol S m^-2 d^-1) at E0 were 4-9 and 6-54 times higher than at the site of outer sea (E1, E3, E5). Rates of SR at E3 and E5 accounted for 11-23% of anaerobic C_org oxidation, whereas it comprised 47-70% of anaerobic C_org oxidation at E0 and E1. Rates of C_org oxidation and SR showed a highly positive correlation with the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (r² = 0.795 and 0.777, respectively). The BNF at E0, E1, and E3 accounted for 120-510% and 26-178%, respectively, of the N and P required for primary production in the water column. Overall results suggest that the C_org oxidation in the sediment controlled by concentration of dissolved organic carbon in the pore water and the excessive C_org oxidation stimulates the benthic nutrient flux, which may cause a phytoplankton bloom in the water column.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

Reproductive phenology and physiological responses of Epilobium hirsutum L. to moisture content and nutrient content of soil were analysed in order to obtain basic data for effective conservation and restoration. Epilobium hirsutum L. is a perennial plant. But Epilobium hirsutum L. grew reproductively in all moisture and nutrient gradients. Flower bud, flowers and peduncle were respectively ripened in earlier under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. And, number of flowers and peduncle were more quickly increased under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. Chlorophyll content was high under highest moisture condition and higher middle moisture condition. However, we found no significant difference of chlorophyll content regard to nutrient gradients. There was no difference in minimum chlorophyll fluorescence among all moisture and nutrient gradients. The photochemical efficiency values of PS II were 0.75 in all moisture gradients, and it was 0.78 in highest nutrient gradient. The chlorophyll content of Epilobium hirsutum L. increased as the moisture content increased, and the Fv/Fm value increased as the organic matter increased. Our results showed that high moisture and nutrient content of soil advance their breeding season and promote reproductive growth. It might be important basic informations for the maintenance of population and the management of habitat of Epilobium hirsutum L. an endangered plant species.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2021

Hydroponic farming is a method to grow a plant without soil. Plants can be grown on water or hydroponic growing media, and they are fed with mineral nutrient solutions, which are fertilizers dissolved into water. Hydroponic farming has the advantage of increasing plant productivity over conventional greenhouse farming. Previous studies of hydroponic nutrient wastewater from acyclic hydroponic farms pointed out that hydroponic nutrient wastewater contained residual nutrients, and they were drained to a nearby river bank which causes several environmental issues. Also, previous studies suggest that excessive use of the nutrient solution and disposal of used hydroponic growing media and crop wastes in hydroponic farms are major problems to hydroponic farming. This study was conducted to determine the impact of hydroponic nutrient wastewater, used hydroponic growing media, and crop wastes from acyclic hydroponic farms on the surrounding environment by analyzing water quality and soil analysis of the above three factors. Three soil cultivation farms and several hydroponic farms in the Gangwon C region were selected for this study. Samples of water and soils were collected from both inside and outside of each farm. Also, a sample of soil and leachate from crop waste piles stacked near the farm was collected for analysis. Hydroponic nutrient wastewater from acyclic hydroponic farm contained an average of 402 mg/L of total nitrogen (TN) concentration, and 77.4 mg/L of total phosphate (TP) concentration. The result of TP in hydroponic nutrient wastewater exceeds the living environmental standard of the river in enforcement decree of the framework act on environmental policy by 993.7 times. Also, it exceeds the standard of industrial wastewater discharge standards under the water environment conservation act by 6~19 times in TN, and 2~27 times in TP. Leachate from crop waste piles contained 11,828 times higher COD and 395~2662 times higher TP than the standard set by the living environmental standard of the river in enforcement decree of the framework act on environmental policy and exceeds 778 times higher TN and 5 times higher TP than the standard of industrial wastewater discharge standards under the water environment conservation act. For more precise studies of the impact of hydroponic nutrient wastewater, used hydroponic growing media, and crop wastes from acyclic hydroponic farms on the surrounding environment, additional information regarding a number of hydroponic farms, arable area(ha), hydroponic farming area, seasonal, weather, climate factor around the river, and the property of the area and farm is needed. Analysis of these factors and additional water and soil samples are needed for future studies.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.875-886
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• 2015

The upland soils (56 samples) from organic farms in Gyeonggi-do (12 sites), Gangwon-do (8 sites), Chungcheong-do (14 sites), Gyeongsang-do (4 sites), Jeollado (18 sites) in Korea were collected and their physical and chemical properties were analyzed by RDA's methods. In the results of physical property, the bulk density of soils averaged $1.14Mgm^{-3}$ (surface soil), $1.38Mgm^{-3}$ (subsoil), respectively. The porosity of them was 57%, 48%. Organically managed soil's (OS) bulk density was lower than conventional soil's but OS's porosity was a little higher than conventionally managed soil in surface soil. The depth of plough layer in organically managed soils was 21.2 cm indicating that the organic farming had good effect on soil physical property. In the results of chemical property, the surface soil pH was 6.9 and the contents of organic matter (OM) was $26gkg^{-1}$, available phosphate (Avail. $P_2O_5$) was $554mgkg^{-1}$, exchangeable calcium (Exch. Ca) was $8.9cmol_ckg^{-1}$, exchangeable potassium (Exch. K) was $0.89cmol_ckg^{-1}$, exchangeable magnesium (Exch. Mg) was $2.0cmol_ckg^{-1}$. The subsoil pH was 6.8 and the contents of OM was $21gkg^{-1}$, avail. $P_2O_5$ was $491mgkg^{-1}$, exch. Ca was $7.9cmol_ckg^{-1}$, exch. K was $0.68cmol_ckg^{-1}$, exch. Mg was $1.8cmol_ckg^{-1}$. The nutrient accumulation emerged in organic farming. Compared to the optimum nutrient range for the conventional upland soils, the exceed rate of pH, OM, available phosphate, and exchangeable Ca, K, and Mg was 79, 52, 64, 84, 66% and 55%, respectively, which mainly resulted from the over-application of lime materials or livestock manure compost. With these results it is suggested that organic farm need to reduce the use of inputs, which make soil alkalification or nutrient accumulation. More study on effects of inputs on lowering soil pH from alkalification could help organically managed soil to be improved.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.413-424
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• 2007

This trial was carried out to determine effects of TMR(Total Mixed Ration) in comparison to conventional diet on feed intake, digestibility, and nitrogen retention in Korean black goats. Twelve Korean black goats were allotted to treatments in four groups of three goats and the they were housed in separate metabolism cages for 21 days. Treatments included conventional diet(A: rice straw and commercial concentrates) as a control group and three TMR groups(B: rice straw and commercial TMR; C: 30% organic whole barley silage and rice straw with organic grain; D: 60% organic whole barley silage with organic grain). The results obtained are summarized as follows. Dry matter intake, fecal excreta, digestible dry matter, metabolic intake and feed intake of BW were significantly higher(p<0.05) compared with A, B, C treatment. The digestibility for most of nutrients except NFC was significantly higher(p<0.05) for D treatment than the others. On the other hand, the digestibility of NFC was higher for B treatment than for the others, even if it was not significantly different across treatments. Nitrogen intake was lower for D treatment, but the significant differences were not found across treatments. N retention rate was higher for B treatment with significant difference. For the blood composition, HDL cholesterol and Immunoglobulin G were significantly higher(p<0.05) for C, D treatment than the others. The results showed that, in comparison with A treatment(conventional diet) and B treatment(commercial TMR), dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and N retention rate were not lower in C treatment(30% organic whole barley silage) and HDL cholesterol was increased after experiment. Therefore, it could be concluded that TMR with organic whole barley silage might contribute to the production of a high quality and safer meat in goat production.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.34-41
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• 2020

Used disposable diapers have been considered for a long time as a type of waste difficult to recycle and valorize due to their composite nature including plastic, cellulose pulp, a super absorbent polymer and either urine, feces or both. Therefore, the fate of disposed diapers often is either incineration or landfill burial which both have various adverse environmental impacts. However, used disposable diapers contain nutrients: cellulose is an organic matter while urine and feces contain non negligible amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are primary nutrients included in most chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. In a scope of waste recycling and valorization, this study focuses on developing a method to achieve nutrient solution extraction from used disposable diapers. The experiment essentially consists in shredding the diapers and letting them macerate in solutions of sodium hydroxide with various concentrations to allow breaking down of the cellulose and super absorbent polymer and release of urine and feces before sterilizing the solutions in an autoclave to remove potential coliform bacteria. At the end of the experiment, a set of parameters is measured for the final solution to identify concentrations of nutrients as well as presence or absence of harmful substances. Results are discussed and directions for future studies are suggested, which include mechanization of the diapers shredding process or added aeration to enhance nitrification and absorption of extracted nutrients from plants.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.961-966
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• 2006

An algal assay procedure using an indigenous phytoplankton assemblage was tested to estimate the propagation of red tide phytoplankton species and determine the optimal time interval at which to measure growth yield in eutrophic marine waters where red tides frequently occur. Various red tide phytoplankton species were propagated on a large scale by adding nitrogen or phosphorous. This procedure was useful for estimating the limiting nutrient, elucidating the mechanisms underlying red tides, and determining the levels of increases in organic matter in eutrophic coastal waters. The algal assay using indigenous C. polykrikoides showed that this species did not always propagate, apparently because of very low concentrations of trigger elements that are necessary for its growth, rather than as a result of other environmental characteristics, e.g., water temperature or stress from sampling. In the winter, when water temperatures are lower than in spring, summer, or autumn, maximum propagation and the limiting nutrient could be estimated by measuring phytoplankton biomass at 2 - 3-day intervals. However, in the other seasons, when water temperatures are higher, phytoplankton biomass should be measured at 2-day intervals. In particular, daily monitoring will be required to determine precise growth yields in warm seasons.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2013

Sustainability index was calculated to determine the best management for rice productivity under long-term inorganic fertilizer management's practices. It is based on nutrient index, microbiological index and crop index related to sustainability as soil function. Indicators for calculating sustainability index were selected by the comparison of soil properties and rice response in paddy soil with fertilization. Total twenty two indicators were determined to assess nutrient index, microbiological index and crop index in order to compare the effect of different fertilization. The indices were applied to assess the sustainability with different inorganic fertilizer treatments such as control, N, NK, NP, NPK, NPK+Si, and NPK+Compost. The long-term application of compost with NPK was the highest sustainability index value because it increased nutrient index, microbial index and crop index. The use of chemical fertilizers resulted in poor soil microbial index and crop index, but the treatments like NP, NPK, and NPK+Si were maintained sustainability in paddy soil. These results indicate that application of organic and chemical fertilizer could be a good management to improve rice sustainability in paddy soil.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 2018

Background: Revegetating landfills can be a challenging task as the reclaimed soils are typically dry and have low nutrient content. Therefore, selecting suitable plant species is important for initial revegetation. The issue with current practices (in Korea) is that alien plant species have been typically selected for revegetation projects. In this context, this study selects and tests a set of native plant species for landfill revegetation, accompanied by the assessment of the landfill soils. Results: The soil of the landfill (landfill location) was in a very poor condition with high bulk density and low organic matter and nutrient contents. Among 10 tested species, only Brassica campestris showed high coverage and a sufficient number of individuals in study quadrats sown with seeds. Results suggest that plant species with heavy seeds are the only ones that can adapt to the environment of a typical landfill due to the site's aridity and low nutrient content. The reason is due to such species' superior wind resistance and the capacity to provide sufficient energy for the initial growth of the plants for survival in such landfill environment. Conclusions: This study recommends selecting plant species (1) with arid-adapted features and (2) whose seed weight is sufficiently heavy for survival at landfills or areas with a similar condition for future revegetation.