• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2005

This study was carried out to develop a novel hydroponic medium far fruit vegetable crops by using waste synthetic fibers. In physical analysis of the synthetic fiber medium (SFM), the bulk density and percent solid phase were lower, while the porosity and water content were greater in comparison with the rockwool slab. The SFM had pH of 6.5 and EC of $0.03dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ both of which are similar to those of the rockwool slab. The CEC of 0.39me/100mL of the SFM was lower than compared with 3.29me/100mL of the rockwool slab. However, concentrations K, Ca, Mg and Na were slightly higher in the SFM than those in the rockwool slab. The 'Momotaro' tomato crop in the SFM gave comparable plant height, stem diameter, days to first flowering, fruit weight and percent marketable yield as the rockwool slab. In the SFM and in the rockwool slab, mean fiuit weight were 182g and 181g, percent marketable yield were $93.8\%$ and $92.0\%$, respectively. The marketable yield per 10a in the SFM was 12,799 kg, which was $97\%$ of that in the rockwool slab. Growth parameters such as leaf length and width, leaf number, stem diameter and chlorophyll content of an exportable cucumber crop grown in the SFM and the rockwool slab were not different. Fruit weight was greater in the rockwool slab, while percent marketable yield was greater in the SFM. The marketable fruit yield per 10a of 5,062kg in the SFM was $2\%$ greater than that in the rockwool slab. $NO_3$ concentration in nutrient solution during the crop cultivation was higher in the SFM than in the rockwool slab, while concentrations $NH_4$, K, Ca, Mg and $SO_4$ were not different between the two media.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2013

This study was carried out to find a reasonable irrigation method of a nutrient solution for the phenolic foam slab (foam LC) used in a trial experiment to substitute the rockwool slab in the production of paprika (Capsicum annuum 'Veyron'). 100, 90, and 80 mL of a nutrient solution was supplied per plant each time when the accumulated radiation reached to 100, $90J{\cdot}cm^{-2}$, and they were named as the 100-100, 90-90, and 90-80 treatment, respectively. The drain percentage per plant of the 100-100 treatment was high by 33.8% in rockwool and 36.7% in foam LC (Lettuce Cube) and that of 90-80 treatment was low by 30.4% and 33.7%. The water content and EC of the rockwool slab were maintained in the range of 63.6-68.9% and $4.4-5.1mS{\cdot}cm^{-1}$, while those of the foam LC slab were in the range of 52.9-58.8% and $5.5-6.5mS{\cdot}cm^{-1}$. The plant height and leaf size of the 100-100 and 90-90 treatments increased in a similar manner, while those of the 90-80 treatment decreased and those of the rockwool were greater than those of the foam LC. The fruit size and weight of the 100-100 and 90-90 treatments were similarly bigger and heavier than those of the 90-80 treatment. The number of fruits harvested per plant was the greatest in the 90-80 treatment with 8 and 8.3 fruits in the rockwool and foam LC. The number of marketable fruits in the rockwool and foam LC was the greatest with 18.1 and 18.2, respectively, in the 90-90 treatment, while that in the 90-80 treatment was 17.2 and 16.8, respectively. The number of unmarketable fruits of the 90-80 treatment was the greatest (1.7-1.8 fruits per plant) in both the rockwool and foam LC, and most of them were small sized or blossom end rot fruits. The yield of the 90-90 treatment was the greatest among the irrigation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2024

Rockwool substrate has superior physicochemical characteristics and is often used in crop cultivation. However, rockwool substrate has the disadvantages of high purchase cost and difficulty in disposal. Reuse of substrate can compensate for these disadvantages. Substrate must be disinfected and rehydrated during reuse, and various physicochemical changes during this process must also be considered. This study was to compare the physical properties of two types of rockwool substrates (reused and unused) and to evaluate the reuse potential of rockwool substrate by analyzing the chemical properties of the reused rockwool substrate during the rehydration process. The experiment on substrate physicochemical properties comparison was conducted from March to August 2023 using used rockwool substrates in tomato cultivation and unused rockwool substrates. Drainage time, drainage volume, and substrate weight were measured using load cells installed at the top and bottom of the irrigation monitoring system. The reused rockwool substrate weight and density were higher than those of the unused rockwool substrate, while the average drainage time after irrigation was 1.5 times longer for the reused rockwool than for the unused rockwool. The salinity concentration in different parts of the reused rockwool substrate was found to be lower in the reused rockwool substrate compared to the unused rockwool substrate. The electrical conductivity of the drainage was at its peak at the beginning of the drainage and decreased exponentially as the drainage volume increased. Change in electrical conductivity of the drainage over the irrigation time showed an exponential decay pattern. Through the experiments, the potential reusability of the rock wool substrate was assessed by conducting a comparative analysis of its physicochemical properties.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2000

This study was conducted in an effort to meet the need for domestic production of hydroponic media and for medium development using recycled hydroponic rockwool slabs. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the growth of plug seedlings of petunia 'Romeo' in various mixtures including particles of used rockwool slabs (rockwool particles) and wood chips. In the first experiment, seedlings were grown in plugs filled with mixtures of steam- sterilized rockwool particles and chestnut wood chips, which had been weathered for six months and screened through either 2.8 mm or 5.6 mm sieve, at the mixing ratio of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, or 0:100 (v/v). In the second experiment, seedlings were grown in plugs filled with twenty different mixtures of steam-sterilized particles of used hydroponic rockwool slabs with 4 mm chestnut or pine wood chips, coir, peatmoss, or perlite. In the first experiment seedling growth was not affected by particle size of chestnut wood chips, was superior in the control (commercial plug medium) and in 100% rockwool particles, but was suppressed as mixing ratio of chestnut wood chips increased. In the second experiment, leaf length, and shoot fresh and dry weights were the greatest in rockwool particles+peatmoss+coir treatment, followed by rockwool particles+peatmoss treatment. Leaf length was suppressed as ratio of wood chips increased, especially of chestnut wood chips. Root development was the greatest in rockwool particles+peatmoss+perlite treatment, followed by the control, and rockwool particles+peatmoss+coir treatment. The growth was suppressed as the mixing ratio of rockwool particles, peatmoss, or coir decreased.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2023

Melons, a rich source of vitamins and fibers, are commonly grown in the soil. Hydroponic cultivation could improve yield and quality of melon and selection of substrate volume and the kind of substrates is important for hydroponic cultivation of melons. This study investigated the effect on melon growth according to volume of granular rockwool and substrates of coir and rockwool slab. 'Geumsegye' melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Geumsegye) was cultivated hydroponically according to volume of granular rockwool to 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 L, and was also cultivated using coir and rockwool slabs. Logistic model was applied to estimate the growth characteristics of melons such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the characteristics of fruit. The growth characteristics of melons were significantly increased at 4.0 L compared to those grown of 1.0 L volume of on granular rockwool, and the results were the highest in coir and rockwool slabs. Melons grown in rockwool slabs showed the largest fruit fresh weight, fruit length, and fruit width. During hydroponic cultivation, growth characteristics of melon appropriate at the 4.0 L volume of granular rockwool, and the highest at coir and rockwool slabs. This study provides a basis for understanding the effect of root zone environment to the growth characteristics and fruit quality of non-netted melon.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2023

It is important to determine water movement at the growing substrate used in soil-less cultivation for better management of water supply. Numerical simulation is a fast and versatile approach to evaluate highly accurate water distribution. The objective of this study is to simulate the water movement in rockwool as a soil-less medium using HYDRUS-2D. HYDRUS-2D was used to simulate the spatial and temporal water movement in two types of rockwool slabs (Floriculture (FL), high density; Expert (EP), low density). The simulation was performed at two pulse conditions: 10 min ON and 50 min OFF (case A), 20 min ON and 40 min OFF (case B). The total irrigation amounts were the same at both cases. In case A, during the irrigation ON, the water contents at FL increased 1.93-fold faster than the values at EP. Whereas, during the irrigation OFF, the decreasing rate of water contents at FL was almost the same as one at EP. At case B, these values were not changed much from case A. However, the duration of optimum water content (50% - 80%) was 15.0 min and 23.5 min at case A and case B, respectively. Thus, FL and 20 min ON and 40 min OFF (case B) could supply water to rockwool much faster and longer than EP. Once qualitatively validated, this simulation of water movement in rockwool could be used to design an effective optimum irrigation method for vegetables.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of artificial zeolite and various ion exchangers supplemented in rockwool on the ion exchangability of muskmelon. The results obtained were as follows ; Plant height was higher in the treatment of Ca type artificial zeolite as of 131.2cm than that of control as of 124cm, and same trends were shown in fresh weight of leaf and stem. Fruit weight was increased by supplement of artificial zeolite, but there were no significant differences in the sugar degree and external appearance as influenced by supplementing artificial zeolite. Supplement of artificial zeolite stabilized the pH and increased the ion exchange capacity of nutrient solution. Nutrient absorption was more favorable and led to growth promotion. This study was demonstrated that supplement of artificial zeolite in rockwool slab was improved the stabilization of root environment and increased ion uptake of muskmelon plant.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 1997

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of limited nutrient supply during 21 days before and after pollination stage on the growth, fruit quality and nutrient uptake of muskmelon in rockwool culture. Muskmelon, cv. Earl's Favorite seeds sowed on rockwool cube and transplanted on rockwool slab($90\times15\times7.5cm$) when 2 to 3 true leaf appeared on Sep. 6, 1991. Three kinds of nutrient composition recommended by Shizuoka university, combinated with the composition of Otsuka house A and composition Shizuoka III. One half of calcium nitrate(Ca(NO$_3$)$_2$.4$H_2O$) for limiting nitrogen supply during 21 days was treated and then fertigated the nutrient composition recommended by Shizuoka university up to harvest time. Trickling nozzles(Netafim Co. Israel) were used for fertigation of nutrient solution and noncirculating system was employed. Temperature was maintained $18^{\circ}C$ in night but 23 to $25^{\circ}C$ for 10 days after pollination for softening the fruit. The drainage ratio of nutrient solution was adjusted 20 to 30 percent. Fertigated and drained amount, and the pH and EC of nutrient solution were recorded. The concentrations of mineral elements including N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were analyzed and compared among treatments. In both autumn and winter cultivation, the limitation of nutrient supply by adjustment of nutrient composition(NO$_3$-N : 8meㆍ$\ell^{-1}$) caused the nutrient deficiency in muskmelon plant due to the limited nutrient supply. After pollination nutrient limitation by the lowering the nitrate retarded the over thickening of upper leaves of muskmelon but plant height and fresh weight of fruit were higher in the plot of nonlimited nutrient supply. The phenomena were attributed to the differences of the amount of nutrient uptake due to the limited time of nutrient solution, duration of nutrient supply and concentration of nutrient solution. These results suggested that increasing nutrient supply in the pollination stage was favorable for better appearance of fruit and improving fruit quality. Further trials would be required for the incre-ment of sugar degree of muskmelon grown in rockwool.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of transplanting methods on the growth and yield of paprika (Capsicumannuum L. 'Veyron' and 'Coletti') in coir culture during two seasons. The summer type sowed in late winter and harvested from summer and the winter type sowed in summer and harvested from early winter. Control plants grown on the 10cm rockwool block were transplanted on coir slab when the 8 leaves of seedlings were emerged, while plants of the young seedling transplanting(YST) grown on the 7cm rockwool block was put on the slab at time of 2-3 leaves developed. Plants of the temporary transplanting(TT) on the 10cm rockwool block were moved on the slab after 2-3 weeks underpinning cultivation, while plants of the blockless transplanting(BT) were directly transplanted in the slab when the seedlings have 2-3 leaves emerged. The plant height of the control and BT treatment were longer while that of TT showed the shortest among treatments. The bigger leaf size was observed in the YST and BT treatment. Leaf number of the BT treatment was increased, while that of TT was the lowest. There were no differences in fruit size, locules and thickness among treatments. The lower fruit weight was observed in the TT of the winter culture and fruits in the control and YST of the summer culture showed higher fruit weight. The percentage of marketable fruit appeared to be slightly higher in the winter culture than in the summer culture. There were no differences in marketable fruit rate among the treatments of the winter culture but, among the summer culture, the highest marketable fruit rate was observed in the BT with 93%. The yield of the YST and BT was higher and that of the TT was the lowest.

• 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.