• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of water quality remediation and the inorganic ion removal characteristics by floating plant; water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) in a batch reactor. Water lettuce can be used to remove N and P and other inorganic nutrients, by consuming them in the form of plant nutrient. The highest nutrient absorption of water lettuce was $112.5meL^{-1}\;N$ in Sonneveld-2S, $56.6meL^{-1}\;N$ in Sonneveld-1S, $31.8meL^{-1}\;N$ in sewage and P value was also the highest in Sonneveld-2S as $15.6meL^{-1}$ and in sewage as $5.0meL^{-1}$. These results indicated that using water lettuce held some promise in the context of purification of eutrophication. Also water lettuce had a preference for absorption N. Under Sonneveld-2S treatment, nitrogen percentage was the highest in plant tissue due to the highest concentration of nitrogen and removal by water lettuce. Under sewage, percentage of total N in both plant parts was high. Both above and underground parts, P percentage was less than N. It might be due to the fact that the absorption amount of P was less than N by water lettuce. It meaned that the ability of N removal by water lettuce was higher than that of P, relatively. In summary, these results show that the use of this plant was a viable option.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.242-245
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• 2009

In order to investigate the cytotoxic effect of hexavalent chromium ($Cr0_3$) and the protective effect of Nelumbo nucifera GAERTN (NNG) extract, cultured cerebral neuroglial cells (C6 glioma cells) were treated with $4{\sim}55{\mu}M$ concentrations of $Cr0_3$ for 48 hours. Cell viability was measured by XTT assay. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity for the antioxidant effect was also examined on the extract of NNG stamen. In this study, $Cr0_3$ significantly decreased cell viability dose-dependently. The cytotoxicities of $XTT_{90}$ and $XTT_{50}$ determined with $10{\mu}M$ and $55{\mu}M$ of $Cr0_3$, respectively, showed that the $Cr0_3$ had highly toxic effect on cultured C6 glioma cells by the cytotoxic criteria. In the protective effect of NNG extract, the cell viability was significantly increased by the treatment of NNG extract, and NNG extract increased SOD-like activity. From these results, it is suggested that $Cr0_3$ showed highly toxic effect on cultured C6 glioma cell s and NNG extract was very effective in the protection of $Cr0_3$-mediated cytotoxicity by antioxidative effect in these cultures.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2011

Rising soil temperature was effectively controled by shading net of 50% and cooled water to maintain average $18.8^{\circ}C$ (maximum $23^{\circ}C$), then shading net of 50% and ground water to maintain average $23.2^{\circ}C$ (max. $28.5^{\circ}C$), shading paint of 30% and shading net (50%) to maintain average $24^{\circ}C$ (max. $30^{\circ}C$) in that order. Alstroemeria 'Modena' most affected by shading and cooling water was better in shoot length as 95.9 cm and fresh weight as 67 g than those of other treatments. The production of cut flower was increased more 121% with treatment 50% shading net and cooling water, 59% with 50% shading net and ground water, and 65% with 30% shading paint than that of 50% shading net, respectively. Soil temperature was higher $8^{\circ}C$ with the plot of circulating warm water than untreated control plot. Alstroemeria 'Aspen', 'Modena', and 'Chanel' increased more plant growth such as plant height, fresh weight in warm water than in untreated control plot, but Alstroemeria 'Bordeaux' decreased plant height. Because of increasing plant growth, flower quality such as peduncle length, peduncle diameter, floret number and flower weight of 4 all cultivar was better in the plot of circulating warm water than untreated control plot. Also, the production of cut flower was increased the most in Alstroemeria 'Modena' by 38%, 'Aspen', 'Bordeaux', and 'Chanel' in that order.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

Hibiscus cannabinus L. is a plant in the Malvaceae family, that was seeded at June 1st in 2010 and harvested at November 18th. The present study was designated to investigate the safety for host cells, antibacterial effects of Hibiscus cannabinus L. of flower (HCME-F) or leaf (HMEF-L) methanol extract for typical Gram's positive bacteria (St. aureus and Str. epidermidis) or Gram's negative bacteria (S. typhimurium and E. coli). In treatment of different concentrations of HCME-F or HMEF-L (1, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$), cytotoxic effects were not shown to RAW 264.7 cells until 24 h incubation. In determination of antibacterial activity of HCME-F or HMEF-L, the antibacterial activities for St. aureus and Str. epidermidis were markedly increased compared to that of untreated control group, but antibacterial activity of HCME-F or HMEF-L for S. typhimurium and E. coli were not changed. Taken together, we demonstrated that methanol extract of HCME-F or HMEF-L showed the safety for RAW 264.7 cells and antibacterial activities for Gram's positive pathogenic bacteria St. aureus and Str. epidermidis. These findings suggest that a methanol extract of Kenaf flower or leaf may be useful alternatives of conventional chemotherapies for dermatitis and mastitis causing Gram's positive pathogens such as Stapylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. in domestic animals and humans.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2011

Effect of concentrations of different plant growth retardants (PGRs) supplied to a recirculated nutrient solution in an ebb and flow system on the growth and development of potted Spathiphyllum 'Top-Pin' and 'Mini' was examined. Plants were planted in 10 cm diameter plastic pots filled with a mixture of peat moss and perlite (1 : 1, v/v) on 30 June 2005 and grown until 23 Sep. 2005. In a closed ebb and flow system, 50, 200, 350, $500mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ daminozide (B-9), 10, 40, 70, $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ paclobutrazol (Boundy), 5, 15, 25, $35mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ ethephon (Florel), and 1, 4, 7, $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ uniconazole (Sumagic) were supplemented to a nutrient solution at the initiation of experiment. On every irrigation, the nutrient solution containing PGRs was supplied at a 2 cm depth and kept for 15-20 minutes. The surplus nutrient solution was drained back into the tank for next irrigations. Paclobutrazol gave the most pronounced effect in inhibition of stretchiness. The greatest reduction of leaf length, fresh and dry weights of shoot, and elevated chlorophyll content were recorded in Spathiphyllum, with increasing paclobutrazol concentration. Daminozide concentration greater than $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ resulted in minor stunting. The lowest concentration ($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) of uniconazole showed greater leaf length, leaf width, and leaf petiole length than the control ($0mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). Uniconazole concentration greater than $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ resulted in similar plant growth as the plant in the control ($0mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). High concentration ($35mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) of ethephon resulted in the shortest leaf length, and the greatest chlorophyll content. Inhibition of stretchiness was observed even in the lowest concentration treatments. Among the PGRs, paclobutrazol was most effective in suppressing plant stretchiness. In both cultivars, ethephon and paclobutrazol, but not daminozide and uniconazole, significantly inhibited stretchiness. The results suggested that plant growth retardants (ethephon or paclobutrazol) selected in this study may be used as the most effective agents for inhibition of stretchiness in Spathiphyllum.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.63-71
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• 2011

This study was conducted to determine the effects of increasing the dietary levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is produced from bio diesel by-products, on milk yield, milk composition, and blood metabolites of mid-lactating dairy cows. A total of 20 mid-lactating dairy cows ($631{\pm}25.0kg$) were assigned to one of four treatment groups and fed twice daily an equal amount of a basal diet ($NE_L$ 32 Mcal/d, CP 17%) contained 12kg/d of concentrate, 15kg/d of corn silage and 4kg/d of the hay mixture (tall fescue+orchard grass). Conjugated linoleic acid were fed for 2 weeks of adaptation periods and 4 weeks of collection periods at 0 (Control), 50 (T1), 100 (T2) and 150g/d (T3), respectively. By the increases of dietary CLA supplementation, milk yield and 4% fat corrected milk increased, whereas milk fat content decreased (p<0.05). The concentrations of stearic acid and oleic acid decreased with increasing dietary CLA supplementation, while the concentrations of total CLA increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study shown that the supplementation of dietary CLA manufactured from bio diesel by-products could improve milk yield and CLA concentrations of milk in mid-lactating dairy cows.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.127-138
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• 2011

Four different plant growth retardants (PGRs), paclobutrazol, flurprimidol, daminozide, and chlormequat, were applied to potted Saxifraga rosacea 'Kumoma' and 'Kumoma-Gusa' plants for control of the growth and flowering. Paclobutrazol (10, 20, 40, $80mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), flurprimidol (5, 10, 20, $40mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), daminozide (500, 1000, 2000, $4000mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), and chlormequat (50, 100, 200, $400mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) were applied to the plants by a foliar spray or drenching. In 'Kumoma', application of $40mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ paclobutrazol by a foliar spray or drenching reduced plant height by 12.5 and 12.6 cm, and flower length by 3.4 and 3.3 cm, respectively. On the other hand, in 'Kumoma-Gusa', drenching of paclobutrazol reduced plant height by 10.7 to 12.6 cm and flower length by 2.0 to 3.9 cm with increasing concentration, but the number of florets almost fell to 20 as compared to 40.5 in the control. 'Kumoma-Gusa' plants drenched with $80mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ paclobutrazol and sprayed with $40mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ flurprimidol had the shortest heights of 10.7 and 9.9 cm, and floral length of 2.0 and 1.5 cm, respectively. A flurprimidol drenching at $40mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ delayed the harvest by 3-13 days as compared to the control and the smallest number of florets, 15.6, was observed in this treatment. In both cultivars, chlormequat and daminozide did not effectively influence the growth and flowering. However, number of florets increased to more than 41 at all concentrations and up to 63, the greatest floret number, with chlormequat drench in 'Kumoma-Gusa'. These results demonstrated that over $40mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of paclobutrazol or 5 to $20mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of flurprimidol could be used as PGRs to control the growth of floral length and flowering for improving potted plant quality in S. rosacea 'Kumoma' and 'Kumoma-Gusa'.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2010

To analyze our country's education program for flower decoration and occupational satisfaction of florist, 60 present florists and 60 applicants were surveyed. To investigate satisfaction of florist, the questionnaire items consisted of satisfaction for occupation etc. experienced by attendants, contents of related education, recognition from society, social treatment. And this study analyzed followings : considerations to select occupation, satisfaction on job of person who majored in related subject and non- person without such an educational background, satisfaction on present occupation, satisfaction on education period, significance of florist ability, significance of requirements for occupational development. The points which present florists and applicants consider as important were aptitude for gardening and prospect. From the analysis by major of florists, majored persons had more satisfaction than non-majored persons but there was no statistically significant difference between them. From the analysis by applicant, as in present florists, majored persons had more satisfaction than non-majored persons. For the satisfaction by career and education period of present florists and applicants, the satisfaction on education related to flower decoration or learning experiences and lecturer's teaching method showed that the lower the career is, the less the satisfaction is. Seeing the result by education period of applicants, the satisfaction on job was similar each other regardless of education period. For difference in recognition on ability by major of present florists and applicants, the result of analysis by major of present florists showed that majored persons considered the ability more important comparing to non-majored persons in the fields of gardening and making decorations. In the other hand, in the fields of quality maintenance, flower decoration, and flower distribution and management, there was no significance difference between majored and non-majored persons about the recognition of ability. The result of analysis by major of applicants showed that majored persons considered the ability more important comparing to non-majored persons in the fields of gardening, flower decoration, making decorations, flower distribution and management. For the significance of quality maintenance, majored persons wholly considered the significance more important comparing to non-majored persons but there was no significant difference. Based on the results of this study, in working as a florist, persons who majored in flower decoration had more occupational satisfaction than non-majored persons. And among the contents of education, the education related to gardening was recognized as most important. But at present the systematic and special education programs to cultivate professional florists are deficient. Therefore it is suggested that courses based on systematic educational contents which integrate theory and practice are needed to solve education problem related to flower decoration in this rapidly changing society.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate effects of nutrient solution pH control agent and foliar spray of ethephon on the reduction of stem inside-cavity and improvement of flower quality in chrysanthemum 'Baekma'. Changes of pH in nutrient solution as affected by the kind of pH control agent showed more settled pattern in the plot of KOH treatment than in others. Plant growth and development such as cut flower length, leaf numbers, cut flower weight and petal number were the greatest in the plot of KOH. However, the size and area of stem cavity was large in KOH rather than $KHCO_3$. As changes in the absorbing patterns of mineral elements as affected by nutrient solution pH control agent in closed system, contents of total nitrate, phosphorus, potassium and calcium by $KHCO_3$ was absorbed into the plant less than KOH, so that it remained a lot of mineral element residues rather than KOH in closed system. Plant growth as affected by the foliar spray of ethephon showed growth retardation effect in the plot of solution diluted to 1 : 500 and growth promotion effect in the plot of solution diluted to 1 : 1,000 or 1 : 2,000. The number of petals was the best in the plot of foliar spray of ethephon solution diluted to 1 : 1,000 before flowering at 45 days showing 331 petals compared to control showing 302 petals. The size and area of stem cavity as affected the foliar spray of ethephon was smaller 1 mm and 7%, respectively, in the plot of solution diluted to 1 : 2,000 before flowering at 30 days than in control. Therefore, treating pH stabilization using KOH after floral initiation stage with the foliar spray of ethephon solution diluted to 1 : 2,000 before flowering at 30 days would help to reduce stem cavity size and improve flower quality in hydroponically grown chrysanthemum 'Baekma'.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.111-119
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• 2010

Salmonella spp. are one of major pathogens for zoonosis in worldwide, and can replicate within host cells and generally cause enterocolitis and foodborne poisoning which represents a considerable public health burden. The present study was designated to investigate the safty for host cells, antibacterial effects of Saururus chinensis Baill water extract (SCWE) on pure culture and infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) in murine derived macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The different treatment of SCWE concentration (1, 10 or $100{\mu}g/ml$) did not show any cytotoxic effect to RAW 264.7 cells for 24 h incubation. In determination of antibacterial activity of SCWE against S. typhimurium, bacterial viability was markedly decreased compared to SCWE-untreated control. In RAW 264.7 cells, SCWE significantly induced morphological change (p<0.05). In infection assay of S. typhimurium in RAW 264.7 cells pretreated with $100{\mu}g/ml$ of SCWE, which are non-cytotoxic concentration, bacterial uptake ability of macrophage was increased corresponding with morphological change, whereas bacterial survival rates within macrophage was markedly reduced comparing to that of SCWE-untreated control. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) production in SCWE-treated cells was slightly decreased until 24 h post infection. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that SCWE have the antibacterial activity for S. typhimurium and the protective effects against S. typhimurium infection through activating murine macrophage independent on NO, suggesting that SCWE were beneficial on the disease caused by intracellularly replicating pathogens as a safe alternatives of conventional chemotherapies.