• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.75-89
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• 2022

The negative impact of monoculture rubber plantations on biodiversity and associated ecological processes/ecosystem services has led to suggestions on the use of integrated land use systems for rubber cultivation and production in order to ensure environmental sustainability. However, there is paucity of information on the effect of such integrated land use systems on the diversity and abundance of the rubber plantation undergrowth. We evaluated and compared undergrowth plant species composition, richness, abundance, diversity and interaction, in three integrated systems (Rubber-Strelitzia reginae Integrated System - RSrIS, Rubber-Podocarpus nagi Integrated System - RPnIS & Naturally Managed Rubber Plantation - NMRP) with three Rubber Monoculture Plantations (RMP₁, RMP₂ & RMP₃) adjacent to the integrated systems, respectively, at the Investigation and Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Danzhou, Hainan, China. Undergrowth species density was higher in the rubber monocultures than in the integrated systems except in RSrIS. Species richness and diversity were also higher in the monocultures except in NMRP. Species similarity/interaction between the monocultures and the integrated systems was highest between RMP₃ and NMRP. The NRMP proved to be the best model of natural rubber integrated system for the conservation of undergrowth species richness, diversity and interspecific interaction. However, the conservation of undergrowth species in other forms of integrated natural systems can be enhanced by considering the ecology of species to be integrated in terms of their growth characteristics, competitive nature, and ability to grow in association with other species.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.481-491
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• 2024

Objective: This study determined fermentation characteristics of commonly used feedstuffs, especially tropical roughages, for dairy cattle in Southeast Asia. This information is considered relevant in the context of the observed low milk fat content and milk production in Southeast Asia countries. Methods: A total of 29 feedstuffs commonly used for dairy cattle in Vietnam and Thailand were chemically analysed and subjected to an in vitro gas production (GP) test. For 72 h, GP was continuously recorded with fully automated equipment and methane (CH₄) was measured at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h of incubation. A triphasic, nonlinear, regression procedure was applied to analyse GP profiles while a monophasic model was used to obtain kinetics related to CH₄ production. Results: King grass and VA06 showed a high asymptotic GP related to the soluble- and non-soluble fractions (i.e. A1 and A2, respectively) and had the highest acetate to propionate ratio in the incubation fluid. The proportion of CH₄ produced (% of GP at 72 h) was found to be not different (p>0.05) between the various grasses. Among the selected preserved roughages (n = 6) and whole crops (n = 4), sorghum was found to produce the greatest amount of gas in combination with a relatively low CH₄ production. Conclusion: Grasses belonging to the genus Pennisetum, and whole crop sorghum can be considered as suitable ingredients to formulate dairy rations to enhance milk fat content in Vietnam/Thailand.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2012

Diseases caused by begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) constitute a serious constraint to tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecosystems worldwide. In recent years, they have also introduced in temperate regions of the world where they have great impact and are posing a serious threat to a variety of greenhouse crops. Begomoviral diseases can in extreme cases reduce yields to zero leading to catastrophic losses in agriculture. They are still evolving and pose a serious threat to sustainable agriculture across the world, particularly in tropics and sub-tropics. Till recently, there have been no records on the occurrence of begomoviral disease in South Korea, however, the etiology of other plant viral diseases are known since last century. The first begomovirus infected sample was collected from sweet potato plant in 2003 and since then there has been gradual increase in the begomoviral epidemics specially in tomato and sweet potato crops. So far, 48 begomovirus sequences originating from various plant species have been submitted in public sequence data base from different parts of the country. The rapid emergence of begomoviral epidemics might be with some of the factors like evolution of new variants of the viruses, appearance of efficient vectors, changing cropping systems, introduction of susceptible plant varieties, increase in global trade in agricultural products, intercontinental transportation networks, and changes in global climatic conditions. Another concern might be the emergence of a begomovirus complex and satellite DNA molecules. Thorough understanding of the pathosystems is needed for the designing of effective managements. Efforts should also be made towards the integration of the resistant genes for the development of transgenic plants specially tomato and sweet potato as they have been found to be widely infected in South Korea. There should be efficient surveillance for emergence or incursions of other begomoviruses and biotypes of whitefly. This review discusses the general characteristics of begomoviruses, transmission by their vector B. tabaci with an especial emphasis on the occurrence and distribution of begomoviruses in South Korea, and control measures that must be addressed in order to develop more sustainable management strategies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.495-503
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• 1992

The internal and external outputs of the agricultural sub-systems of mixed livestock-crop farms in Pabna Bangladesh were analysed, to clarify the multiple functions of cattle in farm systems. Production systems with grazing areas were relatively more productive than those with no grazing. There was a tremendous variation in farm income, largely because of land area. An increase of one ha in land area was estimated to boost farm income by about 50%. Number of cattle, cattle off-take percentage and milk off-take per average cow related positively to farm income. As land area decreased the relative importance of cattle production increased. Crops were dominant in producing food for home consumption. Cattle contributed only 5-6 per cent to home consumption. Cattle supplied a significant cash income: 45 per cent in the villages with grazing areas and 57 per cent in the other villages. In future, the cash output from cattle will decline and emphasis will shift to the role of cattle in supporting crop production. Any research or development strategy for livestock needs to focus first on the importance of the complex relation between livestock and crops.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.08a
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• pp.19-19
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• 2020

The Cassava(Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a tropical root crop, originally from Amazonia, that provides the staple food of an estimated 800 million people worldwide. It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae which also includes rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and castor bean (Ricinus communis). Among tropical crops, rice, sugarcane, maize and cassava are the most important sources of calories for human consumption. Problems in the propagation of cassava are virus diseases and low rates of seed germination. So we tried to optimize protocols for mass production of somatic embryo amenable to large-scale vegetative propagation of Cassava. After in vitro eight-week culture of leaves of Cassava, the medium which contained the 2,4-D, BAP and IBA showed the highest callus induction rate, embryogenesis callus formation rate and somatic embryo formation in Cassava culture. In the medium with GA₃ and myo-inositol, shoots were most vigorously regenerated from somatic embryos of Cassava. Our experiments confirmed that in vitro growth and multiplication of plantlets could depend on its reaction to the different medium composition, and this micropropagation techniques could be a useful system for healthy and vigorous plant production.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2024

Sorghum-Sudangrass hybrids (SSH) is a grass cereal hybrid crop with a high yield potential under different climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth characteristics, dry matter yield and nutrient content of the SSH cultivars such as Dairy Mens Dream, Superdan and Supergreen from 2021 to 2023 in Jeju Island, Korea. Among the three cultivars, Superdan grew significantly taller with a larger stem diameter at both harvest times. In contrast, Dairy Mens Dream had least height and less stem diameter, but the dry matter yield was greater for Dairy Mens Dream than other cultivars. Furthermore, the crude protein content at the first cut was higher than 8.5% compared to the second cut (6.5 - 7.0%). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content was higher in the second harvest of all cultivars compared to the first harvest of SSH in 2021. The SSH cultivation in 2021 and 2023 had higher ADF and NDF content than in 2022, possibly due to the average precipitation and optimum temperature suitable for SSH production in 2021 and 2023. The selected three SSH cultivars showed significant growth characteristics, dry matter content, and nutritional value. The overall data suggested that all three SSH showed significant productivity and nutritional content in the Jeju region of sub-tropical climatic condition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1621-1621
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• 2001

The quality of sugarcane grown on the NE Australian tropical coast ($16^{\circ}$15'- $18^{\circ}$15' S Lat.) has declined markedly in the past seven years. This has been linked to dilution of mill-supply cane with increasing levels of non mature-stalk material consisting of leaves and sucker culms. The prime research objective was to examine the transition from the pre-harvest, in-field crop to harvested material sent for processing, in terms of quality and crop fraction proportions. A secondary objective was to quantify the effects of preharvest-season crop habit and culm condition on crop quality. Ten quadrat samples from each of 54 random crop sites (17 in 1999 and 37 in 2000), covering a wide range of variables (cultivar, crop class, and edaphic, topographic, climatic, and temporal factors) were collected immediately before harvest. Samples were partitioned into four fractions:- sound and unsound mature stalks (culms), sucker culms, and extraneous matter (leaves). Material harvested from each site was sampled and partitioned into four fractions:- sound and unsound billets (culm pieces), culm-spindle pieces, and leaf. In 2000, before harvest, 14 additional sites were sampled monthly, on three occasions, from March - June. Erect and non-erect culms were divided into sound and unsound classes. All samples were disintegrated and presented to a remote reflectance module of a scanning spectrophotometer using the BSES large cassette module. Near infra-red spectroscopic (NIS) analyses were developed for the rapid determination of quality components (Brix, commercial cane sugar (CCS), fibre, moisture, and polariscope reading). Calibrations for three material groups (culm (n = 639), non-culm (n = 496), and combined) were developed for all components using the 1999 data set. Two sub-sets (n = 178, and 190) of about 10% of the preharvest-season and harvest populations scanned in 2000 also were subjected to full routine laboratory analyses. The 1999 combined calibrations were excellent, but the culm calibrations produced consistently lower standard errors. Non-culm calibrations were marginally better than the combined for only CCS and pol. reading. Analysis of the 2000 culm data with calibrations using all 1999 and 2000 culm data resulted in better predictions relative to the 1999 culm calibrations. This also was true for the combined calibrations. Assessment of quality components in pre- and post-harvest sugarcane using NIS calibrations was more cost effective than using routine laboratory techniques. Outcomes from this NIS-facilitated research will have important economic consequences for the Australian sugarcane industry. Potential CCS present in mature culms is being discounted by dilution with leaves and sucker culms, threatening farm viability. The results question the efficacy of current harvesting technology. The CCS of harvested cane is improved only marginally over that of the in-field crop. Current harvesting technology requires either supplementary, innovative pre-mill processing or a design revolution to improve mill-supply cane quality, and therefore whole of industry economics. NIS-facilitated analyses, before the harvest season, highlighted the benefits of growing erect, sound crops. Loss of CCS then, can be minimized only by a combination of crop improvement and agronomic solutions, applied as part of sound on-farm management.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.212-217
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nursery period on growth and yield attribute of green papaya (var. Red lady). The nursery period was 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 months and the green papaya was transplanted on 15 April, 2015 in a non-heated greenhouse. The plant height, node number and fresh weight of nursery plant were increased as the nursery periods increased. The growth of green papaya with 13 months nursery period was better than those of other treatments. First harvest after transplanting was increased as the nursery periods were shorten. It took 137 days (18 August) at 13 months treatment, and 184 days (2 October) at 3 months treatment. The fruit length and diameter were smallest at 3 months treatment and there was no significant difference among other treatments. The fruit yield was also influenced by the nursery periods, the commercial yield was also increased as the nursery periods increased. The commercial yield was highest at 13 months treatment (3,172kg/10a), followed by 11 (2,247kg/10a) and 9 months treatment (2,357kg/10a). At 7 and 5 months treatment were 1,942kg/10a and 1,787kg/10a, respectively and the yield was lowest at 3 months treatment (1,443kg/10a). The commercial yield was significantly decreased under 7 months treatment. Although the harvest time of 11 months treatment was earlier than that of other treatments in non-heated greenhouse, 9 month treatment will be more recommendable for green papaya production because of operating costs.