• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to determine the most suitable coir substrate mixing ratio for optimizing the growth and yield of the "lpduelkkae 1" cultivar. We comprehensively analyzed the physicochemical properties, growth, and yields of four different substrate combinations: perlite (coir with mixing ratios of 70:30 (PC30), 50:50 (PC50), and 30:70 (PC70)) and 100% coir (C100). The results revealed substantial differences in substrate properties. C100 exhibited the highest total porosity and the lowest solid phase, indicating excellent air permeability. The pH levels and electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged from 5.4-6.8 and 1.2-3.1 dS·m^-1, respectively. Leaf growth parameters, including length, width, and dry weight, showed positive correlations with high coir ratios, except for PC30. PC70 and C100 outperformed other substrates in stem growth, exhibiting superior stem diameter and fresh and dry weights. The quantity of marketable leaves was the highest in the C100 substrate. Furthermore, C100 comprised integrated levels of essential nutrients, such as Ca and Mg, owing to its high coir content. In conclusion, a coir ratio of approximately 70% (v/v) should be maintained in the substrate for creating an optimal cultivation environment. Furthermore, the selection of humidity-resistant varieties as well as precise nutrient and moisture management for different seasons and growth stages are crucial for a successful perilla leaf hydroponic cultivation.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.53-59
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to determine an appropriate cooling timing in the root zone for lowering substrate temperature and its effect on physiological response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L. 'Orange glory') grown on coir substrate in summer, from the July 16 to October 15, 2012. Daily temperature of substrate, root activity, leaf water potential, first flowering date, and the number of fruits were measured by circulating cool water through a XL pipe in the root zone during either all day (all-day) or only night time (5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; night) from the July 23 to September 23, 2012. For comparison, no cooling (control) was also applied. Between the $23^{rd}$ of July and $31^{st}$ of August (hot temperature period), daily average temperatures in substrates were $25.6^{\circ}C$, $26.1^{\circ}C$, and $29.1^{\circ}C$ for the all-day and night treatment, and control respectively. About 1.8 to $5^{\circ}C$ lower substrate temperature was observed in both treatments compared to that of control. In sunny day ($600-700 W{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$), the highest temperature of substrate was measured between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. under both the all-day and night treatments, whereas it was measured between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. under the control. Substrate temperatures during the day (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and night (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) differed depending on the treatments. During the day and night, averaged substrate temperature was lower about $3.3^{\circ}C$ and $4.0^{\circ}C$ for the all-day, and $2.1^{\circ}C$ and $3.4^{\circ}C$ for the night treatment, compared to that of control. In the all-day and night treatment, the TD [TD = temperature of (control)] was greater in bottom than that of other regions of the substrate. Between the day and night, no different TD values were observed under the all-day treatment, whereas under the night treatment there was difference with the greatest degree in the bottom of the substrate. During the hot temperature period, total numbers of days when substrate temperature was over $25^{\circ}C$ were 40, 23 and 27 days for the control, all-day, and night treatment, respectively, and the effect of lowering substrate temperature was therefore 42.5% and 32.5% for the all-day and night treatment, respectively, compared to that for the control. Root activity and leaf water potential of plants grown under the all-day treatment were significantly higher than those under the night treatment. The first flowering date in the all-day treatment was similar to that in the night treatment, but 4-5 day faster than in the control. Also, the number of fruits in both treatments was significantly higher than that in the control. However, there was no effect of root zone cooling on eliminating delay in fruiting caused by excessively higher air temperature (> $30^{\circ}C$), although the substrate temperature was reduced $18^{\circ}C$ to $5^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that the method of cooling root zone temperature need to be incorporated into the lowering growing temperature for growth and fruit set of health paprika.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2014

This research was conducted to establish appropriate methods to prune tomato side stems during summer. Cherry tomatoes "Unicorn" (Monsanto Korea, Korea) were grown in the coir based growing medium, and irrigation was controlled time based system. There were three pruning treatments: 1) removing all side stems (ACUT), 2) remaining two leaves on the side stems right below any cluster (PCUT), and 3) remaining two leaves on all side stems (LEFT). Experimental results showed that the occurrence of swollen stems, a symptom of nutrient excess, was influenced by side stem pruning due to blocking of consumption of photosynthetic products. The photosynthetic rate was not different between leaves on main stem and those on side shoots. Therefore the differences in the total amounts of photosynthetic products seemed to come out from the differences in leaf areas on each treatments, influencing on fruit yield difference. The yields and harvesting rates were better in ACUT treatment when tomato plants were harvested until $5^{th}$ cluster, however tomato yield was higher in LEFT treatment when more then $5^{th}$ clusters were harvested.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.309-313
• /
• 2014

This research was conducted to establish recommendable side shoot management methods in the growth and yield of tomato in winter. A cherry tomato, $^{\circ}{\times}Unicorn^{\circ}{\pm}$ (Monsanto Korea, Korea) was cultivated in coconut coir in the form of bag as substrate. There were four treatments related to side shoot removal methods; 1) To remove all side shoots and also each one of three leaves which gives shade to each cluster attached below (UP-FL), 2) To remove all side shoots and also each one of three leaves which gives shade to each cluster only with fruit attached below (UP-FR), 3) To remove all side shoots (AS-All), and 4) To remain two leaves of each side shoot coming from right below each cluster (AS-Part). The number of malformed leaves were more in UP-FL, UP-FR, AS-All, and AS-Part in descending order, which showed the severe the removal of leaves the more the malformed leaves. The malformed leaves were diminished after the development stage the second or third cluster bloomed. The yields until fifth cluster were not different among the treatments. Therefore removal of side shoots and leaves recommends not to be done severely in early growth stage when tomato plants are cultivated in winter.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.80-88
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to examine the effect by application method and concentration of the indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which is auxin-based plant growth regulator, on the growth and runner plants production of strawberry in the greenhouse. The seedlings of strawberry were transplanted in the pot (150 ×135 × 90 mm) filled with coir medium on April 12, 2019. The IBA was applied with a foliar spray or drench as 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg·L^-1 (50 mL per plant), respectively. The treatment was started on April 29, 2019. The foliar spray and drench treatment of IBA were repeated at 2-week intervals for 9 weeks from the start date of treatment. At 9 weeks after treatment, the petiole length of mother plants was the shortest in the control. The number of runner plants showed a tendency to decreased in the foliar spray. The number of lateral buds showed a tendency to decreased in the IBA treatment, and the least in the foliar with 100 mg·L^-1. There was not significantly difference in the fresh and dry weights of the first and second runner plants. However, in the third runner plants, the fresh and dry weights were the greatest in the drench with 100 mg·L^-1. Therefore, when considering the growth of third runner plants and lateral bud suppression, the drench with the 100 mg·L^-1 could be better application method and concentration of IBA treatment for growth of the third runner plants and runner plants production of strawberry, and the results can be used as a basic research of plant growth regulator application to save the labor force and enhance the seedling quality in strawberry seedling stage.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to compare colony forming unit (CFU) of microorganisms in closed and open soilless culture systems for estimating the possibility for potential disease occurrence. Samples were collected at four different positions in four commercial greenhouses with closed or open soilless culture system using rock wool or coir as substrate, respectively. The distance between sampling positions was 3 cm starting from the substrate and the surface area of each position was $25cm^2$. The CFU of fungi was significantly higher in the open system, while that of bacteria was not significantly different but showed relatively lower in the closed system. Samples collected at the plastic surface of the substrates where little environmental effects occurred from drainage showed lower CFU than any other positions. The principal component analysis showed that samples collected on the drainage pathway highly affected the changes in microbial population in the greenhouse. These results indicated that greenhouses with closed soilless culture are expected to have more advantageous conditions for restraining the microbial growth, resulting in the lower potential of disease occurence in greenhouse ecosystem.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.258-263
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the fog-cooling system on the growth and yield characteristics of two large-fruited paprika cultivars during summer cultivation season. The temperature inside the greenhouse equipped with fog-cooling system was $2-3^{\circ}C$ lower than that in the control. The results of study show the possibilities of maintaining indoor temperatures below $35^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity at the level of 80% using fogcooling system during hot seasons of the year. Plant height, fruit weight and number of fruits per plant were higher for both cultivars in the fog-cooling treatment compared to those in control. Mean fruit weight and yield per unit area were higher in the fog-cooling treatment than those in the control. However there were no significant differences in sugar content, flesh thickness and locule number of fruits due to fog-cooling system. Number of fruits with epidermal cracking was decreased in the fog-cooling system for both paprika cultivars. Mineral contents of plants such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), were not affected due to fog-cooling treatment.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2010

This experiment was carried out to commercialize an irrigation control system by finding out problems and solving them in application of a nutrient supply system through this experiment. Its efficiency had been tested through hydroponic cultivation of tomato and cucumber using this system in the farmer's plastic house (1-2W, 20a : Yanggyo-ri, Oseong-myeon Gyeonggi-do) from November. 2006, too. In the first cultivation, tomato seeds (cultivar Coco, Takii Seed Co. Japan) were sowed on November 8, 2006, and transplanted on January 8, 2007. and then, in the second, cucumber (Chuichong, Nongwoo Seed Co.) were cultivated in the same plastic house (sowing date : June 27, transplanting date : July 13). In the third, another cucumber cultivar (Jo-woon, Dongbu-hannong Seed Co.) were cultivated (sowing date : September 5, transplanting date : September 23). All of seedlings were transplanted on perlite bag ($W340{\times}L1,200{\times}H150mm$, 40L). By using this system, 971 boxes (5 kg/box) of tomato were produced and sold, and then total income was 5,466 thousand won per 10a. On the second cultivation, total amount of cucumber production was 489 boxes (50 ea/box), and total income was 7,380 thousand won. On the third cultivation, total amount of production was 67 boxes (100 ea/box), and total income was 1,854 thousand won. On the other hand, this system saved irrigated water by 50% ($4,000{\rightarrow}2,000L/10a/day$) in tomato cultivation, and by 44%($4,500{\rightarrow}2,500L/10a/day$) in cucumber cultivation. It also saved cost of nutrients by 50% in tomato ($1,648{\rightarrow}824thousand\;won/10a$), and 44% in cucumber ($1,648{\rightarrow}725thousand\;won/10a$). Furthermore this irrigation system maintained moisture content in perlite bag stable during cultivation period. Therefore, this system was successfully applied on farmer's greenhouse without a problem and can be commercialized for farmers.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.444-451
• /
• 2022

Recently, long-term cultivation is becoming more common with the increase in tomato hydroponics. In hydroponics, it is very important to supply an appropriate nutrient solution considering the nutrient and moisture requirements of crops, in terms of productivity, resource use, and environmental conservation. Since seasonal environmental changes appear severely in long-term cultivation, it is so critical to manage irrigation control considering these changes. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation volume on growth and yield in tomato long-term cultivation using coir substrate. The irrigation volume was adjusted at 4 levels (high, medium high, medium low and low) by different irrigation frequency. Irrigation scheduling (frequency) was controlled based on solar radiation which measured by radiation sensor installed outside the greenhouse and performed whenever accumulated solar radiation energy reached set value. Set value of integrated solar radiation was changed by the growing season. The results revealed that the higher irrigation volume caused the higher drainage rate, which could prevent the EC of drainage from rising excessively. As the cultivation period elapsed, the EC of the drainage increased. And the lower irrigation volume supplied, the more the increase in EC of the drainage. Plant length was shorter in the low irrigation volume treatment compared to the other treatments. But irrigation volume did not affect the number of nodes and fruit clusters. The number of fruit settings was not significantly affected by the irrigation volume in general, but high irrigation volume significantly decreased fruit setting and yield of the 12-15th cluster developed during low temperature period. Blossom-end rot occurred early with a high incidence rate in the low irrigation volume treatment group. The highest weight fruits was obtained from the high irrigation treatment group, while the medium high treatment group had the highest total yield. As a result of the experiment, it could be confirmed the effect of irrigation amount on the nutrient and moisture stabilization in the root zone and yield, in addition to the importance of proper irrigation control when cultivating tomato plants hydroponically using coir substrate. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the research on this topic, as it is judged that the precise irrigation control algorithm based on root zone-information applied to the integrated environmental control system, will contribute to the improvement of crop productivity as well as the development of hydroponics control techniques.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2015

The objectives of this study were to determine optimal length of off-time between irrigation cycles to improve irrigation efficiency using a frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensor-automated irrigation (FAI) system for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivation aimed at minimizing effluent from coir substrate hydroponics. For treatments, the 5-minute off-time length between 3-minute run-times (defined as 3R5F), 10-minute off-time length between 3-minute run-times (defined as 3R10F), or 15-minute off-time length between 5-minute run-times (defined as 5R15F) were set. During the 3-minute or 5-minute run-time, a 60mL or 80mL of nutrient solution was irrigated to each plant, respectively. Until 62 days after transplant (DAT) during the autumn to winter cultivation, daily irrigation volume was in the order of 3R5F (858mL) > 5R15F (409mL) > 3R10F (306mL) treatment, and daily drainage ratio was in the order of 3R5F (44%) > 5R15F (23%) > 3R10F (14%). Between 63 and 102 DAT, daily irrigated volume was in the order of 5R15F (888mL) > 3R5F (695mL) > 3R10F (524mL) with the highest drainage ratio, 19% (${\pm}2.6$), at the 5R15F treatment. During the spring to summer cultivation, daily irrigation volume and drainage ratio per plant was higher in the 3R5F treatment than that of the 3R10F treatment. For both cultivations, a higher water use efficiency (WUE) was observed under the 3R10F treatment. Integrated all the data suggest that the optimal off-time length is 10 minutes.