• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2009

To investigate the characteristics of moisture content (MC), moisture distribution and starting point of drainage in a rockwool slab culture, time domain reflectometry (TDR) sensors were used in a drip irrigation system. MC values ($0{\sim}100%$) measured by TDR sensors in a slab were compared to those by loadcells. Seventy two seedlings of paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) were cultured for $5{\sim}6$ months in a green-house and the starting point of irrigation was determined by the average value of three TDR sensors which were inserted diagonally across the slabs under the plants. MCs as a standard for starting point of irrigation by TDR were determined with 40%, 50%, and 60%. Distribution of MCs in a slab measured with five TDR sensors equally spaced from two irrigation points were not much different when the MC in the slab increased from zero to saturation point. The saturated MCs in the slab were presented at $58{\sim}65%$ and the drain was started when the MC became around $50{\sim}55%$. At the saturated MC in the slab, TDR sensors presented 100% but the values from the loadcell showed 90% at the same time. However, measurement errors between two methods for MC remarkably decreased with a decrease in the MC in a slab. Especially when the MC was maintaining below 60%, the errors between TDR and loadcell methods for measuring MC in the rock-wool slab were less than 5%. There were no significant differences in number of fruits and fresh and dry weights of fruits when they were cultured under the different MC conditions with three irrigation regimes (40%, 50%, and 60%). These results indicated that the MC control by TDR sensors in a rock-wool based paprika culture can be suggested as a method to determine the starting point of irrigation for a soilless culture system.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 1998

This experiment was conducted to develop optimal nutrient solution for tomato plants, according to the plant growth stages in closed system. Perlite substrate was supplied with 1/2 and 1 strength of the solution of National Horticultural Research Station in Japan. Plants grew better and the nutrient_contents in the leaves were also proper in 1 strength. Based on these results, optimal nutrient solution in perlite was composed by n/w of 1 strength according to the plant growth rates ： N 13.5, P 3.3, K 7.0, Ca 7.0, Mg 3.5 me.L$^{-1}$ in seedling stage, N 14.2, P 3.3, K 8.0, Ca 7.5, Mg 4.0 me.L$^{-1}$ in vegetative stage and N 10.0, P 3.0, K 7.0, Ca 6.0, Mg 3.0 me.L$^{-1}$ in reproductive stage. To examine the suitability of the nutrient solution developed in this experiment, tomato plants were grown in rockwool and supplied with two different composition and concentration of nutrient solution composed by n/w of 1 strength in perlite (SCUT) and by Research Station for Greenhouse Vegetable and Floriculture on the Netherlands (PBG). PH and EC in SCUT were changed little in 1 strength but a significant change of PH was shown in 1/2 strength. Later, drained solutions in rockwool were also analyzed according to the Plant growth stages. Low concentrations of N and P in root zone were shown in early growth stage but N was increased in reproductive stage, while, K, Ca, Mg concentration was consistent through the whole growth stage. Considering these results, we found that the rebalance of N and P was needed, that is, reduction of N concentration in reproductive stage and increasing of P concentration in vegetative stage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.398-403
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation method adopted for reducing nutrient solution drainage on the root zone environment, growth and yield of a tomato crop grown in a rockwool medium. The irrigation control methods used were large quantity irrigation at a long interval controlled by only an integrated solar radiation sensor (standard), medium quantity irrigation at a medium interval (zero drainage 1), and small quantity irrigation at a short interval (zero drainage 2) controlled by both an integrated solar radiation sensor and a zero drainage sensor. The amount of the nutrient solution supplied and the drain percentage per plant of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 1.4, 0.9 and 0.8 L, and 23.8, 8.6 and 3.7%, respectively. The average, minimum, and maximum water contents and EC of the standard, zero drainage 1, and zero drainage 2 were 64.5~88% and $1.5{\sim}3.5dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, 40.3~76.0% and $2.5{\sim}4.0dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, and 56.3~69.0% and $2.7{\sim}3.7dS{\cdot}m^{-2}$, respectively. There was no difference in leaf width, number of leaves, and stem diameter among the treatments. However, plant height and leaf length decreased in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments as compared to the standard. The fruit marketable yield per 10a in the zero drainage 1 and 2 treatments was about 93 and 88%, respectively, of that in the standard treatment.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2011

Individual ion concentrations and ionic contributions to EC reading in the circulated nutrient solution are the important factors to be considered for stable EC-based closed-loop soilless culture. This study was conducted to determine appropriate ion-analysis intervals of the circulated nutrient solutions based on ion concentration, ion balance, and ion electrical conductivity under different renewal intervals in EC-based nutrient control systems for sweet peppers (Capsicum annum L. 'Fiesta') in early growth stage. Average node numbers of the plants were 13 and 18 when the experiment started and finished, respectively, and three plants were grown in each rockwool slab. Four different renewal intervals of circulated nutrient solutions such as 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were used as treatment. Nutrient solutions were supplied to the plants based on integrated radiation. Drainage was collected into drain tanks after irrigation ended in the day and then mixed with fresh water until the EC reaches 2.69 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The replenished nutrient solution was supplied to the plants in the next day. Ion concentrations of the individual ions periodically analyzed in the circulated nutrient solutions showed no significant differences among the treatments during the experimental period. Ion concentrations of $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $NO_3{^-}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${PO_4}^{3-}$, and $Cl^-$ varied within 5-8, 11-14, 2.0-2.7, 0.5-0.6, 14-19, 4-5, 1-4, and 0.3-0.5 $meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. Ion balance showed a consistent tendency over all the treatments and especially $K^+$ : $Ca^{2+}$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ : ${PO_4}^{3-}$ played great roles in the cation and anion balances in the nutrient solutions, respectively. Activity coefficients of ions such as $K^+$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $H_2PO_4{^-}$ varied within 0.8-0.9 and those of $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$ varied within 0.5-0.6, showing little changes with time. Ionic contributions of $K^+$ and $NO_3{^-}$ to EC reading were the greatest followed by $Ca^{2+}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ in the order. From the results, we thought that allowable ranges in ion concentration, ion balance, and subsequent individual ionic contributions to EC reading would be obtained within 4-week renewal interval of nutrient solution in EC-based closed-loop soilless culture for sweet pepper plants.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of age of transplants, propagated by cutting, of two cut rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivars on their subsequent growth and yield in an effort to develop an efficient cutting propagation method for domestic rose cultivars. Two cultivars used in this study were a standard type 'Pink Aurora' and a spray type 'Yellow King'. Cuttings were prepared as single node cuttings each with a five-leaflet leaf and were stuck in rockwool cubes ($5cm{\times}5cm{\times}5cm$, UR, Korea) at two different dates. Cuttings rooted for either 30 (stuck on Jan. 20, 2009) or 48 days (stuck on Jan. 2, 2009) were transplanted into a rockwool slabs ($10cm{\times}15cm{\times}100cm$, UR, Korea) on the same date, 18 Feb. 2009. Plant growth and cut flower quality were investigated for two successive harvests during the period of Jan. to July in 2009. In both cultivars, 48 days old plants showed some growth of the shoot and root before transplanting. However, in the case of 30 days old plants before transplanting no noticeable growth of the shoot and root was obserable in 'Pink Aurora', while only shoot growth, but not root growth to the bottom of the rooting medium, was observed in 'Yellow King'. This suggested cultivar-specific responses that in this experiment a spray type 'Yellow King' showed greater growth rate during the rooting stage than a standard type 'Pink Aurora'. In the measurement of growth and cut flower yield after transplanting, the 48 days old standard type 'Pink Aurora' produced greater number of cut flowers per plant than 30 days old plants, whereas their mean stem fresh weight was recorded smaller than that of the 30 days old plants. For 'Yellow King', 30 days old plants showed greater stem length, flower width, number of five-leaflet leaves per stem, stem fresh weight, and number of cut flowers per plant than 48 days old plants. Therefore, growth and yield were significantly affected by cultivar and age of the rooted cutting, and additional research is needed on the effect of age of rooted cuttings in more cultivars.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the horticultural media + decomposed granite + reused rock wool in the following mixing ratio: Control = 100:0, M1 = 80:0:20, M2 = 60:30:10, M3 = 40:30:30, M4 = 30:40:30, M5 = 0:50:50 (reused rockwool : decomposed granite : horticultural media) and develop the physicochemical properties and the growth of 'Sulhyang' strawberry runner plant. In the physical aspect of the horticultural media, statistical differences were recognized that the bulk density and particle density were lower in the control and M1. But the bulk density and particle density were high in the M3, M4, and M5, because it had high mixing ratio between recycled rock wool and decomposed granite. EAW and WBC showed a similar tendency. The air porosity and total porosity were higher in control and M1 than M3, M4, M5. Exchangeable cation (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺) and base replacement capacity (CEC) were higher in control and M1, than M2, M3, M4, and M5. As a result of the cultivation of 'Sulhyang' runner plant, the plant length was long in M2, 32.1 cm and smaller than M5 to 28.4 cm. However, if the crown diameter, which is the growth indicator of the runner plant, all 6 treatments were formed 11.23 mm-12.03 mm, which is considered to be suitable for the growth of the runner plant. There wasn't a statistical difference between the weight and dry weight of the root. As a result, the growth difference of the seedlings by the horticulture media was similar. Therefore, considering the physical properties of the horticultural media, it was judged that the air porosity and total porosity would be improved when the recycled rock wool and the decomposed granite were properly mixed rather than the use of the horticultural media as a single medium, which would be advantageous for irrigation management.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2004

A simple and easy method was developed to monitor fungus gnats, Bradysia agrestis on sweet pepper in greenhouses. The larvae of B. agrestis were more attracted to potato discs than other sweetpotato, carrot, garlic, radish, and onion discs. The average numbers of B. agrestis found in each disc were 9.7 (potato), 6.0 (sweetpotato), 4.3 (carrot), 0.7 (garlic), 3.8 (radish), and 1.0 (onion). The number of larvae also increased by the size of disc surface and resulted in 2.1 larvae in 10${\times}$10${\times}$10 mm, 3.4 larvae in 20${\times}$20${\times}$10mm, and 3.9 larvae in 30${\times}$30${\times}$10 mm. The adults were more attracted to a yellow sticky trap (50.0 numbers) than a blue (18.0 numbers) or a white (3.7 numbers) traps. The optimal height for installing sticky trap in the greenhouse was determined as less than 50 cm from the rockwool bed based on the adults caught in the traps; 50.0 in less than 50 cm, 4.3 in 50-100 cm, and 2.0 in more than 100 cm height.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.227-232
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• 2015

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of shading materials (aluminum specific-shading screen and polypropylene non-woven fabric) and shading ratio (50% and 70%) on climatic changes, cut-flower quality, and yield of spray rose cultivars for export during high temperature periods. The daily cumulative solar radiations were higher with the aluminum specific-shading screen, especially with 50% shading compared to polypropylene non-woven fabric. Air temperature and root zone temperature within rockwool media greatly decreased with the aluminum specific-shading screen, but relative air humidity was not different among shading methods. Chlorophyll contents (SPAD values) were slightly higher with aluminum-specific shading screen than with polypropylene non-woven fabric, and were higher with 50% than with 70% aluminum specific-shading screen. Except for 'Lovely Lydia', marketable and exportable yields of all cultivars were higher with 50% than with 70% aluminum shading treatment. In addition, flowers talk length, stem diameter, number of node and 7ea-leaflet, and floret number tended to be better with aluminum specific-shading screen. Flower stalk length was higher with 70% than with 50% aluminum shading treatment. Chromaticity of petals slightly increased, and vase life was 0.5-2.5 days longer for each cultivar with aluminum specific-shading screen than with polypropylene non-woven fabric.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2002

Cellular glass foam (CGE), the reprocessed glass, has a possibility as a component of vegetative propagation media of floricultural crops due to the its excellent air and water permeability, similar to that of perlite. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the rooting and growth thereafter of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Gold Strike’in media containing various volume ratios of granular rockwool, peat-moss, CGF and perlite. The particle size of CGF and perlite was 2.0~4.0mm and 1.2~4.0mm, respectively. Cuttings were rooted in a fog tunnel with a mean temperature of 18.2$^{\circ}C$ and RH of 66.7％ under a long day regime (14 h per day light period). Height, length of the longest root, stem diameter, no. of leaves, leaf area, percentage of rooted cuttings, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights, total chlorophyll concentration and physicochemical properties were measured. Cuttings rooted 100% in all treatments. Physicochemical properties in CGF and perlite-containing media showed little differences. The growth of rooted plants in the CGF-containing media was similar or rather superior to that in perlite-containing media. Consequently, CGF has a possibility as a vegetative propagation medium of Kalanchoe. To make wider commercial use of CGF, more demonstrative experiments and analyses are necessary.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2011

This experiment was carried out to understand the characteristics of inorganic ion uptake of strawberries to establish a labor saving, environmentally sound closed hydroponic system. Nitrate nitrogen is absorbed in the perlite and granule rockwood with the almost same rate and in the cocopeat with a little bit higher concentration. At the early growth stage, phosphate was absorbed in comparatively high rate, but it is gradually declining to $4me{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in the three treatments except for reused medium. Four treatments showed different absorption rates for potassium, respectively, however, it became $3{\sim}5me{\cdot}L^{-1}$ gradually. But there was few sign to absorb potassium in the reused medium. High concentration of calcium was absorbed in the cocopeat medium and the lowest absorption rate in the granule rockwool, and it turned out to be $2{\sim}3me{\cdot}L^{-1}$ absorption concentration rate in the perlite. All three treatments showed $1me{\cdot}L^{-1}$ at the average absorption concentration rate of magnesium. Iron showed high absorption rate but it showed steadily 1~2 ppm absorption rate. Results of this experiment will be utilized for developing the new substrates for strawberry closed hydroponic system.