• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.362-368
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• 2018

Grasshoppers play vital role in the digestion of photosynthetically fixed carbons. With the aid of intestinal microflora, the grasshopper can degrade leaves constituents such as cellulose and hemicellulose. The purpose of this study was to examine cellulolytic yeast isolates from the gut of grasshoppers collected in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Among the yeast isolates, ON2, ON17 (two strains), and ON6 (one strain) showed positive cellulolytic activity in the CMC-plate assay. The sequence analyses of D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rDNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions revealed that the strains ON2 and ON17 were most closely related to Papiliotrema aspenensis CBS $13867^T$ (100%, sequence similarity in D1/D2 domains; 99.4% sequence similarity in ITS) and strain ON6 related to Saitozyma flava (100% in D1/D2 domains; 99.0% in ITS). All these three yeast strains are capable of degrading cellulose; therefore, the members of endosymbiotic yeasts may produce their own enzymes for carbohydrate degradation and convert mobilized sugar monomers to volatile fatty acids. Thus, the endosymbiotic yeast strains ON2, ON17 (represents the genus Papilioterma) and ON6 (Saitozyma) belonging to the family Tremellomycetes, are unreported strains in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

This study aimed to develop an alternative organic fertilizer to castor oil cake-based fertilizers. To assess the nutrient effect of the developed fermented mixed organic fertilizers, the yield of lettuce and soil characteristics after growth were analyzed and compared to those of a trial using a mixed expeller cake fertilizer. Two fermented mixed organic fertilizers, FA and FB, each containing 5.0% nitrogen, 2.6% phosphate, and 1.4% potassium, were produced by mixing different ratios of rice bran, dried distillers grains, sesame oil meal, and fish meal. This study was conducted with six trials: untreated, mixed expeller cake fertilizer, and the fermented mixed organic fertilizers FA and FB. Based on the amount of nitrogen fertilization (70 kg ha^-1) on the lettuce, the fermented mixed organic fertilizers FA and FB were applied at 100% and 150%, respectively, and the mixed oil cake was applied at 100%. As the amount of treatment increased, there was no significant difference except the number of leaves in FA treatment. The yields from the FA100 and FB100 treatments were 38.2 and 40.8 Mg ha^-1, respectively, which was not significantly different from that of the mixed expeller cake fertilizer treatment at 38.3 Mg ha^-1. In addition, the nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency of the lettuce were not significantly different between mixed expeller cake fertilizer and fermented mixed organic fertilizer treatments. Analysis of the chemical properties of the soil after the trial showed that he mixed expeller cake fertilizer treatment showed the lowest pH. There were no significant differences in electrical conductivity, content of soil organic matter, available phosphate, and exchangeable cation among the fertilizer treatments. However, the bacterial and actinomyces density was higher in the soil from the fertilizer trials than in the non-fertilizer trials. These results indicated that the two tested fermented mixed organic fertilizers had nourishing effects and soil characteristics that were similar to those of the mixed expeller cake fertilizer. Thus, farmers can use these fermented mixed organic fertilizers as alternatives to castor oil cakes for the cultivation of organic lettuce.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of Stewartia koreana as oral healthcare materials. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts from leaves and branches of S. koreana against oral bacteria was confirmed. The leaf and branch extracts (1 mg/disc) showed antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis only among several tested oral bacteria. The leaf extracts showed higher antibacterial activity, with values similar to those of chlorhexidine, which was used as a positive control. The MIC of the leaf extract against P. gingivalis was 0.4 mg/ml and showed bacteriostatic action. The inhibitory effects of the extract on biofilm formation and on gene expression related to biofilm formation by P. gingivalis were determined by biofilm biomass staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and qRT-PCR analysis. The biofilm production rate and cell growth of P. gingivalis in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml of S. koreana leaf extracts were significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect on the formation of P. gingivalis biofilms at concentrations of 1 mg/ml was confirmed by SEM. The qRT-PCR analysis showed concentration-dependent suppression of the fimA and fimB gene expression associated with fimbriae formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-2.0 mg/ml S. koreana leaf extract. These results support the conclusion that S. koreana leaf extracts can be used as oral healthcare materials derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the antibacterial action and inhibition of biofilm formation of P. gingivalis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.598-608
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine potential effects of shading and fertilizing treatment - two basic applicable factors in production of 1-year-old container seedling - on growth and seedling quality of Quercus myrsinaefolia, one of evergreen tree species in warm temperate zone of Korean. Every experimental process was conducted in a facility that consisted of compartments under the lighting control with full sunlight and shading (35%, 55% and 75% of full sunlight). Based on fertilizing treatment, this study made an experiment in 4 groups of container seedling: control (non-treated seedlings) and 1000, 2000, 3000 ppm group (3 groups with different concentrations of water-soluble fertilizer (N:P:K=19:19:19, v/v). Seedlings under 55% shading with 2000 ppm concentration showed the highest height (totaling 21.1 cm), and under 35% shading with 2000 ppm concentration showed the highest root collar diameter growth (totaling 3.96 mm) among others. All three fertilizing groups except control showed H/D ratio ranging from 4.27 to 5.26 regardless of fertilizer concentration under 35% and 55% shading where container seedlings showed a tendency toward excellent growth of height and root collar diameter. Overall, 2000 ppm group under 55% shading showed highest dry mass production of leaves (1,292 g) among others, while 2000 ppm group under 35% shading showed highest dry mass production of shoots and roots (0.592 g and 0.998 g, respectively) among others. Also, it was found that 2000 ppm group under 35% shading showed the highest dry mass production of whole seedling, which was followed by 2000 ppm group under 55% shading and 3000 ppm group under 35% shading, respectively. According to analysis on LWR of Quercus myrsinaefolia depending on shading and fertilizing treatment, it was found that 3000 ppm group under 75% shading showed highest LWR level among others, whereas every fertilized group showed lower RWR level than control without fertilizing regardless of shading levels. In general, all fertilized groups under 55% shading had relatively high quality index (QI), and 2000 ppm group under 35% shading had highest QI among others. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that shading level ranging from 35 to 55% and fertilizing concentration of 2,000 ppm are suitable for producing 1-year-old container seedlings of Quercus myrsinaefolia with excellent growth and high quality index.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.609-615
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• 2011

Forsythia saxatilis is a Korean endemic plant designated as rare and endangered by the Korea Forest Service (KFS). Growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis were investigated under two different light intensities in order to figure out an appropriate growth environment for conservation and restoration of the species in its natural habitat. Shoot length, leaf size and weight, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameters were measured for F. saxatilis grown at two experimental plots under relative light intensities (RLI) of 20% and 60% of the full sun, respectively. Fresh leaf weight of plants grown under high relative light intensities (RLI-60) exceeded that of plants grown at 20% RLI. The ratio of fresh leaf weight to leaf size at RLI-60 was 1.47 times superior comparing to that recorded at RLI-20. The content of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were higher in plants grown at RLI-60, whereas the ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoid content was higher in the leaves at RLI-20. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate at RLI-60 were, respectively, 2.5, 2.65 and 1.79 times higher comparing to those recorded at RLI-20. Water use efficiency, however, was higher at RLI-20. The chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio was 1.83 times higher at RLI-20 than at RLI-60. In contrast, the ratio of net photosynthesis to chlorophyll content at RLI-60 was 2.58 times higher than that of RLI-20. In conclusion, light intensity might be the major factor affecting growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis grown under canopy of tall tree species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.623-629
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• 2011

The detectable levels and population fluctuations of phytoplasmas infecting dwarf mulberry trees were investigated using nested-PCR and competitive-PCR methods. Samples of five different types were studied : A. petiole of a leaf that displays dwarf symptoms, B. petiole from apparently healthy leaf residing on a branch also supports a leaf with dwarf symptoms, C. the branch portion that supports a leaf with dwarf symptoms, D. the leaf petiole from healthy appearing leaves on branch with no dwarf symptoms, and branch portion of branch with no dwarf symptoms, E. the rootlets of trees with dwarf symptoms. These 5-parts were collected from each tree during June - April, once in every two months. The phytoplasma was detected from all parts of collected mulberry samples during all seasons using nested-PCR with AS-1/AS-2 primer pairs. The phytoplasma was detected until $10^4$ dilution using direct-PCR method, but it was detected until $10^{13}$ dilution by the nested-PCR method. The density of pytoplasma was found to be $7.94{\times}10^{18}-10^{12}copies/{\mu}L$ in mulberry trees. The density of phytoplasma was observed throughout the year in all samples of mulberry trees. The highest rates of phytoplasma was found in the samples B and C during the early growing season followed by the sample A and D during the dormant season. Samples C and E displayed the highest phytoplasma density followed sample D. The density of phytoplasma appeared stable during all the seasons for samples C and A. The result of the present study demonstrates the utility of nested-PCR and competitive-PCR for detection and determination of population fluctuations of phytoplasmas in plant tissues.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2017

Floral scent emitted from many plants is the critical factors for pollinator attraction and defense for adaptation in environments. The fragrance components of flowers are different in composition by geographical origins, climate factors and the development stages of flowers. In the present study, we investigated the volatile-floral compounds in flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L. and defined the chemical contribution for flowering periods. The volatile compounds analysis was performed by gas chromatography with mass selective detector after solid phase microextraction (SPME). We reported different compositional features of fragrance compounds according to flowering periods. The abundant compounds identified in stage 1 were ${\alpha}$-pinene (66.80%) and ${\beta}$-pinene (26.53%). Those of the stage 2 were (Z)-${\beta}$-ocimene (37.57%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (15.16%), benzaldehyde (16.63%), linalool (12.13%). The volatiles of stage 3 comprised an abundance of (Z)-${\beta}$-ocimene (64.94%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (9.84%), linalool (8.92%), benzaldehyde (1.71%). Leaf volatiles were distinct from those in the reproductive plant parts by their high relative amount of (E)-${\beta}$-ocimene (23.50%) and (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate (27.87%). Differences in flower scents of the different stages and leaves are discussed in light of biochemical constraints on volatile chemical synthesis and of the role of flower scent in evolutionary ecology of R. pseudoacacia.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2021

This study was conducted to examine the effect by different types and concentrations of auxin on the rooting and growth of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Maehyang) cuttings in the greenhouse. The NAD (1-naphthylacetamide), IBA (indole-3-butyric acid), and IAA (3-indoleacetic acid) were applied with a 1 hour soaking as 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg·L-1, respectively. The non-treatment was set as the control. The cuttings of strawberry were transplanted in the strawberry seedling tray filled with coir medium on June 4, 2020. The humidification was carried out for 2 weeks. The average relative humidity, daytime temperature, and nighttime temperature inside the humidification tunnel was 63.4 ± 15%, 29.3 ± 5℃, and 16.2 ± 5℃, respectively. There was no significant difference in rooting rate on the control, IBA, and IAA treatments. However, significantly low rooting rates were observed in NAD treatments. The survival rates were significantly higher in the control and IBA with 50 mg·L-1 than in other treatments. The number of leaves was the highest in IBA with 100 mg·L-1. The root length was the longest in the control. More number of roots were counted in IAA with 100 and 150 mg·L-1. The dry weight of root was the heaviest in the control. The total root length, root surface, number of root tips, and number of root forks were significantly higher in the control. As a result, control, IAA, and IBA showed similar shoot and root growth. However, NAD showed the worst root and shoot growth. Consequently, compared with IAA and IBA, NAD was not appropriate plant growth regulator of rooting for cutting propagated strawberries.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

Hemistepta lyrata Bunge (HL) has been used as a folk remedy to treat cancer, inflammation, bleeding, hemorrhoids and fever, and leaves and young shoots have been used as famine food. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects remain unclear. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of the aerial part of HL as a suppressor of inflammation by using RAW 264.7 cells. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were evaluated. Although the release of TNF-α remained unchanged in HL-treated RAW 264.7 cells, the productions of NO, PGE2 and IL-6 were significantly increased at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, HL significantly attenuated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway including decreasing the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Collectively, this study provides evidence that HL inhibits the production of major pro-inflammatory molecules in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells via suppression of ERK and P38 MAPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of HL may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

In August 2020, necrotic ringspots on leaves were observed on 20 from 143 Plantago asiatica plants in open fields in Eumseong, Chungcheongbuk-do. Eight symptomatic Plantago asiatica plants were subjected to investigation on viral infection by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Impatiens necrotic spot virus, tomato spotted wilt virus and cucumber mosaic virus were detected from the symptomatic plants. Two impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) isolates ('INSV-plantain kr1' and '-plantain kr5') were sequenced and analyzed by comparing L genomic segment, nucleoprotein (N) gene and non-structural protein S (NSs) gene sequences. The nucleotide sequence of 'INSV-plantain kr1' isolate (MW114834) was most closely related to that of a 'Phalaenopsis' isolate (GQ336991) from China in the L genomic segment. 'INSV-plantain kr1' and '-plantain kr5' isolates shared the highest identities with those from 'Pepe' isolate (LC384872) and 'J' isolate (AB109100) in the NSs gene, respectively, and with that from 'YSMi-SH' isolate (FN400773) in the N gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on L genomic segment grouped the INSV-plantain kr1 isolate together with isolates from Korea (LC384870), China (GU112505, GQ336991), and Italy (DQ425094). This is the first report on INSV in P. asiatica from Korea.