• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.173-191
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• 2019

The study was initiated to compare seasonal nutrient variations and rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity in each of leading rice farm with conventionally managed and recommended fertilized of the large-scale environment-friendly agricultural districts in Jangheung, Suncheon, and Okcheon provinces in 2017. Suncheon rice experimental farm plots included a recommended fertilization plot that had been additionally sown hairy vetch in the fall of previous year, while Okcheon rice farm included a recommended fertilization plot applying half amount of the compost in the conventional plot. A Jangheung rice farm only practiced crop-livestock farming system. Soil pH and EC in all experimental plots were suitable levels for rice growth to cultivate. Seasonal soil pH from March to September was the highest for Suncheon rice farm, and seasonal soil EC was the highest for Jangheung rice farm. Seasonal soil T-N increased in all the plots from March to June in particular for Suncheon rice farm, and Jangheung rice farm had the lowest seasonal soil P. Seasonal soil K decreased in all the plots, with the lowest levels observed for Okcheon farm. Seasonal soil NH₄⁺ mostly increased by up to 90 mg/kg in Jangheung rice farm from March to June. Seasonal plant T-N, P and K concentrations were the highest for Jangheung rice farm. Seasonal plant T-N and P concentrations decreased from June to September, but K leveles were fluctuated between 2.0% and 2.5%. Seasonal SPAD value was the lowest in Suncheon conventional plot. Jangheung rice farm plot produced 6,303 kg of rice per ha, which was approximately two times higher than those of Okcheon recommended plot. The seasonal T-N, P and K balance was the highest in Okcheon conventional plot, with the lowest values observed for Suncheon conventional plot. As a result, Suncheon recommended plot showed relatively low levels of seasonal macro-nutrient balance and the highest rice production, which could be the most environmentally friendly farm practiced conducted in this study.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effect on agricultural environment and crop productivity by different amount of applied fertilizer in consideration of irrigation water quality. N, P and K contents of irrigation water used in this experiment were 6.16, 0.26 and 9.37 mg/L, respectively. N, P and K Concentrations of runoff water were lower than those of inflow water during rice cultivation. N, P and K Concentrations of ponded and percolated water were changed according to the amount and time of applied fertilization. During rice cultivation in paddy soil, nitrogen balance was closed to 0 in SFT 50% (50% level of soil testing fertilization), 0.14 kg/ha, but it was 95.3 kg/ha in CF (conventional fertilization) treatment In SW 50% and STF (soil testing fertilization) treatment yield of perfect rice was not greatly different as compared with CF treatment due to the superiority of ripening rate, 1,000 grains weight and milling characteristics. Mechanical paratability of rice was excellent in NF (non fertilization) treatment, STF 50% treatment showed higher in nutrient availability and fertilizers use efficiency than other treatments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: Biochar is used in various environmental fields, such as water quality and soil restoration, and affects soil fertility and nutrient cycling. Also, when crops are grown on biochar-applied soil, their characteristics may be affected. Biochar is used especially with commercial vegetable seedlings. METHODS AND RESULTS: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of biochar content in seeding mixes on early growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.), and red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Treatments consisted of a control (0: 10, ratio of biochar to seeding mixes (w/w)), 1: 9 (biochar 10%), 3: 7 (biochar 30%), 5: 5 (biochar 50%), and 7: 3 (biochar 70%). The biochar was made from risk husk and had a C/N ratio of 104. As the mixing ratio of biochar increased, pH increased whereas EC and nitrogen content decreased. The highest phosphorus content was with the treatment of 30% biochar, while there were significant increases in the weight of lettuce seedlings and concentrations of T-N, P₂O₅, K₂O, MgO, and Na with the treatments of 30% and 50% biochar. Although the weight of Chinese cabbage seedlings increased with the treatment of 10% biochar, the increase was not statistically significant. Also, there was an increase in the weight of red pepper seedlings with the treatment of 30% biochar, but the increase was not statistically significant. With increases in the biochar mixing ratio, the K₂O concentration of red pepper seedlings increased, but the concentrations of P₂O₅, CaO, MgO, and Na decreased. It was believed that this was because of absorption inhibition by calcium-phosphate formation in the seeding mixes owing to increased pH. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, adding biochar to seeding mixes is considered to be an important mean for growing healthy vegetable seedlings. More field experiments are needed to verify the effect of biochar on vegetable crop growth over the entire growing season.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2017

Cotton is the major fiber crop in Pakistan that accounts for 2% of total national gross domestic product (GDP). After picking of cotton, the dry stalks are major organic waste that has no fate except burning to cook food in villages. Present research focuses use of cotton stalks as feedstock for biochar production, its characterization and effects on soil characteristics. Dry cotton stalks collected from agricultural field of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan were combusted under anaerobic conditions at $450^{\circ}C$. The physicochemical analysis of biochar and cotton stalks show higher values of % total carbon, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in biochar as compared to cotton stalks. The concentration of nitrogen was decreased in biochar. Similarly biochar had greater values of fixed carbon that suggest its role for carbon sequestration and as a soil amendment. The fourier transformation infrared spectroscopic spectra (FTIR) of cotton stalks and biochar exposed more acidic groups in biochar as compared to cotton stalks. The newly developed functional groups in biochar have vital role in increasing surface properties, cation exchange capacity, and water holding capacity, and are responsible for heavy metal remediation in contaminated soil. In a further test, results show increase in the water holding capacity and nutrient retention by a sandy soil amended with biochar. It is concluded that cotton stalks can be effectively used to prepare biochar.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are hydrophilic molecules that can absorb large amounts of water. This study was conducted to investigate the enhancement of the physicochemical properties of sand soil blended with three SAPs imbibed with 100, 150, and 200-fold water. Three treatments were applied, namely, 100SAP, 150SAP, and 200SAP. The three SAPs were blended at concentrations of 0% (control), 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% with sand. The pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) of soil blended with the three SAPs were pH 6.35-6.46, 0.09-0.65 dS/m, and 1.42-1.92 cmol_c/kg, respectively, and their capillary porosity, total porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were 21.0-29.3%, 39.2-48.7%, and 272-470 mm/hr. CEC, capillary porosity, total porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil were positively correlated with the ratio of the SAPs (p<0.01). These results indicate that blending sand soil with SAPs increased CEC, capillary porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, thus improving the nutrient-retention capacity, water-retention capacity, and permeability of the soil.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.368-372
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• 1998

A field assay was conducted to study whether the by-product of Autoclaved Lightweight Concrete(ALC) could be used as a silicate fertilizer for Korean Zoysiagrass. ALC application rates (0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and $8.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$) were investigated for their effects on growth status, mineral nutrient concentrations, yield of fresh and dry matter of lawn grass and soil properties after experiments. The number of stolon and length of stolon at 180 day after Zoysiagrass transplanting were increased in the treatemnt of $2.0{\sim}6.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of ALC application, but those of $8.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of ALC plot were deceased with excess of ALC. The fresh weight and dry matter at harvesting time of lawn grass treated with $6.0Mg\;ha^{-1}$ of ALC was heavier than those of other ALC plots. There were statistically significant between the number of stolon and length of stolon remarkably. Mineral nutrient contents such as Si and Ca in Zoysiagrass were increased by higher ALC application, while T-N, available P and K were no difference with application lavel of ALC. Soil pH and Si contents in soil after experiment were increased by ALC application remarkably.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.575-580
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• 2011

The cultivation of once-over harvest pepper cultivars might be very valuable to Korean farmers who still depend on traditional hand-harvesting method. Thus, we conducted this experiment to obtain important information for enhancing the productivity of once-over harvest red pepper fruits by supplying several nutrient-controlling and growth-regulating chemicals, such as $KH_2PO_4$, $SiO_2$ and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon). Adequate fertilization was provided in each treatment plots. In this study, two once-over harvest pepper cultivars, Saengryeg No. 211 and 213 (SR 211 and SR 213), and one regular piecemeal harvest pepper cultivar, Kangryegdaetong (KRDT), were cultivated to evaluate the productivity of pepper fruit as affected by above chemicals. The distribution of macro- and micro-nutrients in pepper fruits among the cultivars were different in term of N, B, Cu, and Fe concentrations. In particular, the concentration of B in SR 213 was about 2 times higher than that in SR 211 and KRDT. However, overall red pepper productivity of SR 211 was markedly higher ($2.91{\sim}3.38Mg\;ha^{-1}$) than that ($1.68{\sim}2.37Mg\;ha^{-1}$) of SR 213. Also, the productivity of matured red pepper was significantly influenced by the treatments of $KH_{2}PO_{4}$, $SiO_2$ and ethephon. The yield indices for matured red pepper fruits were the highest with the treatment of $KH_2PO_4$ or $SiO_2$ with ethephon, which were 113~116% for SR 211 and 147~150% for SR 213. Thus, the applications of $KH_2PO_4$ or $SiO_2$ with ethephon would be suggested to enhance the productivity of matured red pepper fruit.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2013

This research was conducted to investigate the influence of compositions and concentrations of fertilizer solution on growth of lettuce as well as changes in chemical properties of root media. To achieve this three kinds of fertilizers such as acidic (AF), neutral (NF), and alkaline fertilizer (BF) were formulated and applied with the concentrations of 100 or $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ based on nitrogen concentrations. The growth characteristics were investigated 10 weeks after transplant and the analysis of soil solution for chemical characteristics were conducted in every week. The BF was more effective than AF in crop growth of blue leaf lettuce 10 weeks after transplant and the treatment of BF200 showed the heaviest fresh and dry weights among all treatments tested. The treatment of BF also showed the highest growth followed by those of NF and AF in growth of red leaf lettuce, but the growth in treatments of $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ were higher than those of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in the three kinds of fertilizers. The differences among treatments in soil solution pH became larger from week 6. The pH in the treatment of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ was lower than that of $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ when AF was applied, but the treatment of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ showed higher pH than that of $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ in case of BF. The electrical conductivity of soil solution in treatments of $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ were 0.2 to 0.4 unit higher than those of $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ when those are measured as $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in three kinds of fertilizers. The $NH_4$ concentrations were higher in the treatments of AF than those of BF, but the concentrations of Ca, Mg and $NO_3$ were vice verse. The concentrations of $PO_4^{-3}$ were the highest in the treatments of AF followed by those of NF and BF when three kinds of fertilizers were applied with equal nitrogen concentrations. The differences of nutrient concentrations in soil solution of root media were influenced by composition of fertigation solution and varied soil solution pH.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2019

The study was compared for soil chemical and microbial properties as well as growth of the cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme) plants environmentally friendly gown for 3 years and 5 years, which had been fertigated with homemade liquid fertilizer (LF) with indigenous microorganism as an additional fertilizer. Treatment included LF with indigenous microorganism for 3 years (3-year IM-LF) and for 5 years (5-year IM-LF), with an effective microorganism for 10 years (EM-LF), which had been applied with 1,000 times of dilution in the farmhouse. IM-LF and EM-LF materials had increased pH pattern for 16 weeks, in particular for increase of 1.2 for EM-LF. IM-LF material contained slightly higher EC but similar level of 0.2 dS/m to EM-LF. For a pot experiment in the greenhouse, IM-LF treatment increased root dry weight of the cherry tomato plants. In the farmhouse experiment, IM-LF treatment increased to 7.5 of soil pH and 8.4 dS/m of EC, indicating high salt accumulation. EM-LF treatment increased to 62 g/kg of soil OM, which would have affected concentrations of macro essential nutrients, including T-N in the soil. However, the optimum soil chemical levels for growth of cherry tomato plants were observed on the IM-LF plots. EM-LF treatment increased number of bacteria and actinobacteria in the soil. EM-LF treatment increased concentrations of macro essential nutrients in the plants, except for P, with similar nutrient concentrations observed between 3-year IM-LF and 5-year IM-LF-treated plants. Leaf SPAD and PS II levels decreased in the plants treated with 3-year IM-LF. EM-LF treatment increased leaf width and length, number of leaves, canopy area, plant height, and stem diameter in the mid-term stage of growth, which were not significantly different between the treatments. EM-LF treated-plants had two times higher leaf dry weight than those of values observed on the IM-LF plants, which was the opposite result observed on the number of fruit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.342-351
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to compare acid-neutralizing and buffering capacity of four tree species against soil acidification by acid rain. About 30-year-old forests composed of Pinus rigida, Alnus hirsuta, Quercus mongolica, and Liriodendron tulipifera in a provincial experimental forest located 15km east from Banwol Industrial Complex in Kyonggido were used in this study. Incident precipitation, throughfall and stemflow, and soil samples were collected from May to September, 1996 to analyze their pH and canon concentrations. Internal leaf pH, external acid neutralizing capacity(ENC), and buffering capacity index(BCI) of leaves were also determined. The incident precipitation showed an average pH of 4.56, with the percentage of acid rain incidents being 74%. The average soil pH of the study area was 4.15. The pH of throughfall and stemflow in all four species was higher than that of precipitation except that of the stemflow of Pinus rigida which showed a pH of 3.73. The throughfall of Liriodendron tulipifera showed the highest pH of 5.38. The pH of throughfall and stemflow showed a positive correlation and no correlation, respectively, with precipitations. The most abundant cation in precipitation was Ca. The canon concentraions in throughfall and stemflow decreased in the following order of K, Na, Ca, and Mg. Cation concentrations in stemflow were highest in Lirioendron tulipifera and lowest in Pines rigida. Nutrient leaching from above ground increased with decreasing pH of precipitation. The pH of stemflow showed a positive correlation with ENC and BCI. The highest values in ENC, BCI, soil pH, and soil cation concentrations were observed in Liriodendron tulipifera, while the lowest values were obtained in Pinus rigida, It was concluded that Liriodendron tulipifera had highest neutralizing capacity against acid rain, while Pinus rigida had the lowest capacity and even promoted acidification of soil.