• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2024

A proper level of UV-A light treatment in terms of intensity, spectrum, and exposure duration is known to have a positive impact on plant growth, photosynthesis, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. However, there are few studies investigating the physiological responses of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) to UV radiation. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effects of short-term UV-A radiation on the growth and bioactive compounds of spinach. Spinach seedlings were cultivated in a vertical farm module under the following environmental conditions: photosynthetic photon flux density 200 µmol·m^-2·s^-1, white LED, 12 h on/off, 20℃ air temperature, 70% relative humidity, and 500 µmol·mol^-1 CO₂ concentration. After 5 weeks of sowing, the seedlings were subjected to continuous UV-A (peak wavelength; 385 nm) irradiation at two different energy levels: 20 W·m^-2 and 40 W·m^-2 for 7 days. As a result, the UV-A_20W treatment increased the shoot fresh and dry weights of spinach. However, there were no significant differences observed in photosynthetic parameters between the UV-A treatments and the control. The maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) consistently decreased across all UV-A treatments for 7 days in UV-A treatments. Additionally, the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity increased in the UV-A_20W treatment at 7 days of treatment as well as the total flavonoid content significantly increased at 5 and 7 days of treatment. These findings suggest that supplemental UV-A LED radiation can enhance the growth and quality of spinach cultivated in closed type plant production systems such as vertical farms.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light quality using either monochromatic or combined LEDs on the growth and antioxidant accumulation of Agastache rugosa cultivated under hydroponics for 4 weeks. This experiment was performed in a controlled-environment room at $22{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and $18{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ (day and night temperatures, respectively) and 50-70% relative humidity, with a provided photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of $180{\pm}5{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and irradiated with either monochromatic (W10 and R10) or mixed LEDs (W2B1G1, R3B1, R2B1G1, and W2B1G1) with a differing ratio of each LED's PPFD and fluorescent lighting (FL: control) with a 16/8 h photoperiod. Fresh and dry weights were highest for plants grown under the W2B1G1 treatment. A. rugosa grown with R10 had the greatest plant height but the lowest SPAD among all treatments. The concentration of rosmarinic acid in plants grown under W2B1G1 was significantly higher than that of plants grown under other treatments. Tilianin content was significantly higher in R3B1 than in the other treatments. However, whole-plant rosmarinic acid and tilianin content was the highest under the W2B1G1 condition. To cultivate A. rugosa in a plant factory, mixed-LED light conditions with W2B1G1 is considered to be more advantageous for the growth and antioxidant accumulation of A. rugosa. It is though that the total whole-plant antioxidant content is more crucial for commercial use; the present study demonstrates the potential to achieve higher content of functional materials in plants through the selection of light quality.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.419-427
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of two shading methods, shading agent spray on the glasshouse and internal shading screen treatment, on the growth and fruit quality of paprika (Capsicum annuum L. 'Cupra' and 'Coletti') in summer season cultivation. In the shading agent treatment, a commercial shading agent diluted with water at a ratio of 1 : 4 was sprayed on the roof of a glasshouse. In the internal shading screen treatment, a 10~20% shaded screen was used during the day time when the sun radiation was greater than $700W{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Compared to the unshaded control, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) decreased in the greenhouse in the shading agent (SA) and shading screen (SS) treatments by 20% and 30%, respectively. Lower air temperatures and higher relative humidities were observed in the SA than in both the control and the SS treatment. Time to reach the break point of humidity deficit $8g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ was 2 hours late in the SA than in both the control and the SS treatment. Compared to control, both the SA and the SS treatments showed lower instantaneous temperatures of leaf, fruit, and flower by $2^{\circ}C$, $5^{\circ}C$ and $3^{\circ}C$, respectively. There were no differences in number of branches, stem diameter, and leaf size among treatments although both shading treatments promoted plant height in both cultivars. Botrytis infection ratio declined with the SA treatment by 14.7% in 'Cupra' and 22.1% in 'Coletti' as compared to that in the control. Shading increased fruit size in both cultivars, whereas no differences were observed in the number of locules and thickness of fruit tissue among treatments. Shading treatment increased mean fruit weight by a range of 10 to 15 g per fruit, while it decreased soluble solids contents as compared to that in the control. Similar Hunter values were observed among treatments, while fruit firmness increased slightly in shading treatments. Compared to the control, shading treatments improved marketable fruits by 11.7~22.6% and increased the number of fruits per plant by 4~9.2 in both 'Cupra' and 'Coletti'. The results of this study indicate that shading agent application on the roof of glasshouse would be one of the most effective options to reduce heat stress imposed on the paprika crop in summer cultivation, resulting in improved crop growth and fruit yield.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 1999

This study aims at analyzing environment factors of two tier cropping systems and suggesting effective structures of two tier cropping systems. The environment factors in two tier cropping systems are temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, temperature of nutrient solution, and wind velocity. Especially, The most important factors are the solar radiation and the solar incident area between the two tiers. During the experiment, observations were made of the two levels in the plastic greenhouse. The highest temperatures were 38.3$^{\circ}C$ in the top level and, 35.5$^{\circ}C$ in the bottom level, respectively. The temperature of the nutrient solution between the two levels showed little difference. The relative humidity in the top level was 60~7o% and that in the bottom 65~80%, exhibiting that the bottom is approximately 10% higher. Change of photosynthetic photon flux density and solar radiation both have a tendency to be similar. The wind velocities for both levels were recorded at 0.1m.s$^{-1}$ in the afternoon and 0.05m.s$^{-1}$ in the evening. The solar incident areas in the bottom level increased by approximately 25% at an East-West position and 17.7% at a South-North position, respectively.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2004

The shoots of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC.) in vitro germinated from seeds were cultured on MS basal medium containing 0.1 mg/L NAA under the various sucrose concentrations and with/without membrane filter (MF) on the lid of vessel. The growth responses were checked to obtain healthy plantlets. The $CO_2$ and $C_2$H$_4$ concentration in vessel without MF were higher than those with MF. The $CO_2$ concentration without MF was increased as days in culture went by whereas the $C_2$H$_4$ concentration was decreased. The plant growth with MF and high sucrose concentration was good. Fresh and dry weight of plantlets cultured in sucrose 4.5% with MF were higher than those in no sucrose without MF. Also the content of chlorophyll of plantlets cultured with MF was high and the content of sugar was shown a similar results and a remarkable difference between MF treatments, especially. Stomata cultured with MF was closer than that without MF and mesophyll of leaf were more developed with MF or in high sucrose concentration. When the plantlets were transplanted in the pot at 25$\pm$2$^{\circ}C$, 75% relative humidity and low PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density), the percentage of survival after 13 days without MF was 0% but it was 100% with MF regardless of sucrose concentrations.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.92-97
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• 2005

This research was carried out to elucidate the characteristics of stomatal transpiration, water efficiency, vapor pressure deficit of leaves by the light intensity Kalopanax pictus leaves. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. In the upper leaves of Kalopanax pictus seedlings, the stomatal transpiration rate increased continuously with increasing light intensity, but in the middle and lower leaves. it was saturated at $100{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$. At the light saturated point. the stomatal transpiration rate was in the following order: the upper ($1.29mmol\;H_2O\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$) middle ($0.56mmol\;H_2O\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$) lower leaves ($0.31mmol\;H_2O\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$). 2. In the upper leaves, water use efficiency rapidly increased to $600{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$, and then decreased. In the middle and lower leaves, it increased to $400{\mu}mmol\;m^{-2}S^{-1}$, and then showed a constant values. 3. The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in according to leaf positions was linearly decreased with increasing photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.68-75
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• 2017

Demand for dwarf mondo grass (DMG; Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus') as an ornamental garden plant is expected to grow in the future. The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of shade tolerance and ground cover by growing DMG under a variety of shade conditions for 18 months (May 2015~October 2016). DMG plants grown in bare ground for 3 years in Jangheung-gun, Jeonnam were used for testing. In an experimental site created in Naju city in Jeonnam, the DMG was planted in planters ($70cm{\times}70cm{\times}24cm$) and covered with a shading curtain to block natural light. Shaded conditions were then arranged under different levels of shade (0%, 55% and 75%). When the plants were grown, growth (leaf size, the number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight) and ground coverage of DMG were analyzed. According to the results, DMG growth in terms of leaf size and the number of leaves was statistically higher under zero shade (full sunlight), when compared to other shaded conditions. DMG's fresh and dry weights were significantly greater under 0% and 55% shade, compared to those under 75% shade. The degrees of shade tolerance required for normal growth of DMG were found in the range of 0~50%, meaning that more than 50% shade may decrease plant growth. There were no statistical differences in ground coverage rates of DMG under different levels of shade. When 220 tillers were planted per $1m^2$ of plot, up to 80% of the area was covered by DMG after 18 months. Since DMG requires nutrient-rich soil to grow, sufficient nitrogen fertilizers are proposed to accelerate the ground cover of DMG. As DMG remained alive over the winter in the experiments, this study also suggests that DMG can be planted in the southern temperate region.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.371-380
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• 2018

Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different nutrient solutions and various light qualities generated by LED on the growth and glucosinolates contents of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) grown under hydroponics for 3 weeks. The seeds of watercress were sown on crushed rockwool media and raised them for two weeks. They were transplanted in a semi-DFT (deep flow technique) hydroponics system. A controlled-environment room was maintained at $20{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and $16{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ temperatures and $65{\pm}10%$ and $75{\pm}10%$ relative humidity (day and night, respectively), with a provided photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of $180{\pm}10{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and a photoperiod of 16/8h. To find out the best kinds of nutrient solutions for growing watercress, Otsuka House 1A (OTS), Horticultural Experiment Station in Korea (HES), and Netherland's Proefstaion voor Bloemisterij en Gasgroente (PBG) were adapted with initial EC of $1.0-1.3dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and pH of 6.2, irradiating PPFD with fluorescent lamps (Ex-1). Either monochromatic (W10 and R10) or mixed LEDs (R5B1, R3B1, R2B1G1, and W2B1G1) were irradiated with a differing ratio of each LED's PPFD to understanding light quality on the growth and glucosinolates contents of watercress (Ex-2). Although significant difference in the shoot growth of watercress was not found among three nutrient solutions treatments, but the root fresh weight increased by 13.7% and 55.1% in PBG and OTS compared to HES, respectively. OTS increased the gluconasturtiin content by 96% and 65% compared to PBG and HES. Compared with the white light (W10), the red light (R10) showed a 101.3% increase in the shoot length of watercress. Increasing blue light portion positively affected plant growth. The content of total glucosinolates in watercress was increased by 144.5% and 70% per unit dry weight in R3B1 treatment compared with R2B1G1 and W10 treatments, respectively. The growth and total glucosinolates contents of the watercress were highest under R3B1 among six light qualities.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.178-184
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• 2019

Strawberry ($Fragaria{\times}ananassa$) is one of the most important and popular fruit crops in the world, and 'Sulhyang' is one of the principal cultivars cultivated in the Republic of Korea for the domestic market. The growth and flower induction in strawberry is the process which influences directly on fruit bearing and yield of this crop. In this study, effect of benzyladenine (BA), gibberellic acid ($GA_3$), and salicylic acid (SA) on growth and flower bud induction in strawberry 'Sulhyang' was investigated. The 3-week-old runner plants, grown in 21-cell propagation trays, were potted and cultivated in growth chambers with $25^{\circ}C/15^{\circ}C$ (day/night) temperatures, 70% relative humidity (RH), and light intensity of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by white light emitting diodes (LEDs). The runner plants were treated with one of three concentrations, 0 (control), 100, and $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of BA, $GA_3$, or SA solution. The chemicals were sprayed two times on leaves of runner plants at an interval of two weeks. After 9 weeks the results showed that the application of all chemicals caused reduction of root length and chlorophyll (SPAD) content as compared to the control. The lowest chlorophyll (SPAD) content was recorded in plants treated with $GA_3$. However, the treatment of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $GA_3$ promoted leaf area, leaf fresh weight, and plant fresh weight. The greatest flower induction (85%) and number of inflorescences (4.3 inflorescences per plant) were observed in the treatment of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}\;SA$, followed by $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}\;SA$. Overall, results suggest that foliar application of $GA_3$ solution could accelerate plant growth, while foliar application of SA solution could induce hastened flowering. Further studies may be needed to find out the relationship between $GA_3$ and SA solutions treated in a combination, and the molecular mechanism involved in those responses observed.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.342-352
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• 2023

Ultra-violet (UV) light is one of abiotic stress factors and causes oxidative stress in plants, but a suitable level of UV radiation can be used to enhance the phytochemical content of plants. The accumulation of antioxidant phenolic compounds in UV-exposed plants may vary depending on the conditions of plant (species, cultivar, age, etc.) and UV (wavelength, energy, irradiation period, etc.). To date, however, little research has been conducted on how leaf thickness affects the pattern of phytochemical accumulation. In this study, we conducted an experiment to find out how the antioxidant phenolic content of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) leaves with different thicknesses react to UV-A light. Kale seedlings were grown in a controlled growth chamber for four weeks under the following conditions: 20℃ temperature, 60% relative humidity, 12-hour photoperiod, light source (fluorescent lamp), and photosynthetic photon flux density of 121±10 µmol m^-2 s^-1. The kale plants were then transferred to two chambers with different CO₂ concentrations (382±3.2 and 1,027±11.7 µmol mol^-1), and grown for 10 days. After then, each group of kale plants were subjected to UV-A LED (275+285 nm at peak wavelength) light of 25.4 W m^-2 for 5 days. As a result, when kale plants with thickened leaves from treatment with high CO₂ were exposed to UV-A, they had lower UV sensitivity than thinner leaves. The Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield on photosystem II) in the leaves of kale exposed to UV-A in a low-concentration CO₂ environment decreased abruptly and significantly immediately after UV treatment, but not in kale leaves exposed to UV-A in a high-concentration CO₂ environment. The accumulation pattern of total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and individual phenolic compounds varied according to leaf thickness. In conclusion, this experiment suggests that the UV intensity should vary based on the leaf thickness (age etc.) during UV treatment for phytochemical enhancement.