• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.862-868
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• 2022

Microalgae are photosynthetic cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms, mainly living in the water. In agriculture, numerous studies have been conducted to utilize microalgae as a biostimulant resource. Scenedesmus has been known to be one such microalga that can promote plant growth by secretion of auxin or cytokinin hormone analogs. However, no research has been performed on the effect of microalgae treatment on plant microbiota communities. This study was conducted to investigate the mode of action of microalgae as biostimulants in a plant microbiota perspective by using Scenedesmus sp. CHK0059 (also known as species Chlorella fusca), which has been well documented as a biostimulant for strawberries. The strawberry cultivar Keumsil was bred with Seolhyang and Maehyang as the parent cultivars. Using these three cultivars, microbiota communities were evaluated for changes in structural composition according to the CHK0059 treatment. CHK0059-treated Seolhyang, and CHK0059-untreated Maehyang were similar in microbial diversity in the endosphere. From a microbiota community perspective, the diversity change showed that CHK0059 was affected by the characteristics of the host. Conversely, when CHK0059 treatment was applied, populations of Streptomyces and Actinospica were observed in the crown endosphere.

• ALGAE
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

Acadian marine plant extract powder (AMPEP) and Kelpak are commercial biostimulants derived from brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum. This study was to determine if AMPEP and Kelpak can induce thermal resistance in Pyropia yezoensis. P. yezoensis blades were exposed to different concentrations (control: 0, low: 0.001, high: 1 ppm) of AMPEP and Kelpak at 10℃ for 6 and 7 days, respectively. Those blades were then cultivated in von Stosch enriched seawater medium at different temperatures (10, 15, 20, and 25℃) with 12 : 12 L : D photoperiod and 100 µmol m^-2 s^-1 of photosynthetically active radiation for additional 15 days. Results showed that P. yezoensisreproduced archeospores at 20 and 25℃ at all biostimulant conditions within 15 days. At lower temperatures (10 and 15℃), only AMPEP-treated P. yezoensis reproduced archeospores. P. yezoensis exposed to 1 ppm Kelpak exhibited higher phycoerythrin and phycocyanin contents than control and 0.001 ppm conditions at 15℃. AMPEP-treated conditions showed higher phycoerythrin and phycocyanin contents than control at 10℃. These results suggest that AMPEP and Kelpak may not enhance the thermal resistance of P. yezoensis. However, AMPEP stimulated archeospores release at lower temperatures. The treatment of AMPEP and Kelpak also increased the pigment contents in P. yezoensis. These results suggest that the use of seaweed-derived biostimulants can provide some economic benefits in P. yezoensis aquaculture. The enhancement of archeospores formation by AMPEP at lower temperature may also increase the productivity since Pyropia farming relies on the accumulation of secondary seedings via asexual reproduction.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.425-431
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• 2022

Plant microbiota has influenced plant growth and physiology significantly. Plant and plant-associated microbes have flexible interactions that respond to changes in environmental conditions. These interactions can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the microbial community or the host physiology. In addition, it can be modified to suit microbiota structure or fixed by the host condition. However, no technology is realized yet to control mechanically manipulated plant microbiota structure. Here, we review step-by-step plant-associated microbial partnership from plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to the microbiota structural modulation. Glutamic acid enriched the population of Streptomyces, a specific taxon in anthosphere microbiota community. Additionally, the population density of the microbes in the rhizosphere was also a positive response to glutamic acid treatment. Although many types of research are conducted on the structural revealing of plant microbiota, these concepts need to be further understood as to how the plant microbiota clusters are controlled or modulated at the community level. This review suggests that the intrinsic level of glutamic acid in planta is associated with the microbiota composition that the external supply of the biostimulant can modulate.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2015

This study investigated the optimum depth for the application of bioremediation in contaminated coastal sediment using a lab scale column experiment. The biostimulants were placed in the top surface of the sediment facing seawater, 3cm, 6cm and 10cm of the depth from the surface, respectibely. During the experiment, the changes of organic pollutants and heavy metal fractions in the sediment were monitored in 1 month and 3month time intervals. The organic pollutants found during various analysis such as chemical oxygen demand, total solids and volatile solids, significantly reduced when the depth of the biostimulant was 3cm or less. In contrast, at a depth of over 6cm, the reduction of organic pollutants decreased, and the results were similar to the control. Heavy metals fractions in the sediment also changed with the depth of the biostimulants. The exchangeable fraction of the metals was quite reduced at the sediment surface in the column, but the organic bound and residual fractions considerably increased at a depth of 3cm. Based on this study, the optimum biostimulants depth for in-situ bioremediation of contaminant coastal sediment is 3cm from the sediment surface.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2006

Increased application of glyphosate (Gly) in glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean cropping systems may affect rhizospheric microorganisms including IAA-producing rhizobacteria (IPR) and their effect on the growth of soybean. This field experiment was conducted to assess IPR populations in the rhizosphere of GR soybean ('Roundup-Ready' DeKalb DKB38-52) treated with glyphosate and foliar amendment treatments such as $PT21^{(R)}$ (urea solution with N 21 %) and $Grozyme^{(R)}$ (Biostimulant: mixtures of micro nutrients and enzymes). Effects of herbicide, sampling date, and their interaction on total bacterial numbers were significant (P < 0.001, 0.001, 0.013, respectively). Total bacteria (TB) numbers were increased with glyphosate treatment at 20 d after application and highest TB populations were associated with $Grozyme^{(R)}$ application, possibly due to the additional substrate from this product. The IPR of the soybean rhizosphere was significantly affected by herbicide, sampling date, and the herbicide*foliar amendment interaction. The ratios of numbers of IPR to TB ranged from 0.79 to 0.99 across the sampling dates irrespective of treatments. IPR numbers were slightly hindered by glyphosate application regardless of foliar amendment.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2018

Petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants, such as diesel fuel, have caused ecosystem damage in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They have been recognized as one of the most hazardous wastes. This study was designed to optimize the effect of Tween 80 concentration, nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P) ratio and salinity level on diesel biodegradation by Vibrio alginolyticus (V. alginolyticus). Response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design was selected with three factors of Tween 80 concentration (0, 5, 10 mg/L), N/P ratio (5, 10, 15) and salinity level (15‰, 17.5‰, 20‰) as independent variables. The percentage of diesel degradation was a dependent variable for 14 d of the remediation period. The results showed that the percentages of diesel degradation generally increased with an increase in the amount of Tween 80 concentration, N/P ratio and salinity level, respectively. The optimization condition for diesel degradation by V. alginolyticus occurred at 9.33 mg/L of Tween 80, 9.04 of N/P ratio and 19.47‰ of salinity level, respectively, with percentages of diesel degradation at 98.20%. The statistical analyses of the experimental results and model predictions ($R^2=0.9936$) showed the reliability of the regression model and indicated that the addition of biostimulant can enhance the percentage of diesel biodegradation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2017

Humic acid (HA) is a complex organic matter found in the environments, especially in grassland soils with a high density. The bioactivity of HA to promote plant growth depends largely on its extraction sources. The quality-control of HA and the quality improvements via an artificial synthesis are thus challenging. We recently reported that a polymeric product from fungal laccase-mediated oxidation of catechol and vanillic acid (CAVA) displays a HA-like activity to enhance seed germination and salt stress tolerance in a model plant, Arabidopsis. Here, we examined whether HA or CAVA enhances the growth of Italian ryegrass seedling. Height and fresh weight of the plant with foliar application of HA or CAVA were bigger than those with only water. Interestingly, enhanced root developments were also observed in spite of the foliar treatments of HA or CAVA. Finally, we proved that HA or CAVA promotes the regrowth of Italian ryegrass after cutting. Collectively, CAVA acts as a HA mimic in Italian ryegrass cultivation, and both as a biostimulant enhanced the early growth and regrowth after cutting of Italian ryegrass, which could improve the productivity of forage crops.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.567-574
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of freshwater alga, Chlorella fusca on the improvement of growth and qualities in organic spinach and Chinese chives farm. The average height of Chinese chives treated with the chlorella was 3.7 cm smaller than that of the untreated. The leaf width and fresh weight of Chinese chives treated with the chlorella was 0.5 mm wider and 30.3 g heavier than that of the untreated. The commercialization and yield of Chinese chives treated with the chlorella was 11.9% and 18.3%, respectively higher than that of the untreated. Also, the disease severity of gray mold disease of Chinese chives treated with the chlorella was reduced by more than 24.2% when compared with the untreated. The thickness and number of spinach leaves treated with chlorella was 27.9% and 41.8%, respectively higher than that of the untreated. The fresh weight and yield of the spinach treated with the chlorella was 63.6% and 31.5%, respectively higher than that of the untreated. Moreover, the mineral content of K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, and Mn were recorded higher in the spinach treated with chlorella compared with that of untreated. The results indicated that the freshwater alga, Chlorella fusca is efficient and economical biostimulant in improving plant growth and quality of Chinese chives and spinach in organic farm.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.69 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2024

High soil salinity is the most severe threat to global rice production as it causes a significant decline in rice yield. Here, we investigated the effects of various plant extracts on rice plant stress associated with high salinity. Additionally, we examined various physiological and biochemical parameters such as growth, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and lipid peroxidation - in rice plants after treatment with selected plant extracts under salt stress conditions. Of the 11 extracts tested, four - soybean leaf, soybean stem, moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Undaria pinnatifida extracts - were found to effectively reduce salt stress. A reduction of only 3-23% in shoot fresh weight was observed in rice plants under salt stress that were treated with these extracts, compared to the 43% reduction observed in plants that were exposed to stress but not given plant extract treatments (control plants). The effectiveness varied with the concentration of the plant extracts. Water content was higher in rice plants treated with the extracts than in the control plants after 6 d of salt stress, but not after 4 d of salt stress. Although photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), electron transport rate (ETR), and the content of pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid) varied based on the types and levels of stress and the extracts that the rice plants were treated with, generally, photosynthetic efficiency and pigment content were higher in the treated rice compared to control plants. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA), increased as the duration of stress increased. ROS and MDA levels were lower in the treated rice than in the control plants. Proline and soluble sugar accumulation also increased with the duration of the stress period. However, proline and soluble sugar accumulation were lower in the treated rice than in the control plants. Generally, the values of all the parameters investigated in this study were similar, regardless of the plant extract used to treat the rice plants. Thus, the extracts found to be effective can be used to alleviate the adverse effects of stress on rice crops associated with high-salinity soils.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.441-450
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• 2016

A pilot scale biostimulation experiment was performed under field conditions to degrade organic pollutants and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds) in contaminated coastal sediment. During the experiment, the seawater temperature around the sediment varied from $16.5^{\circ}C$ to $21^{\circ}C$, while the sediment pH was stable at 8.4-8.5. The experiment was conducted over a one year period with a control group and a sample group with a applied biostimulant composed of acetate, sulfate, and nitrate. Chemical oxygen demand decreased 39% in the control group and 79% in the sample group. Volatile solids were reduced from 15 to 7 g/kg in the control group and 2.5 g/kg in the sample group. Out of the 2-, 3- ,4- ,5-, and 6-rings of the 16 vital PAHs, the compound including naphthalene (2-ring), took 2 months to degrade completely, while the degradation efficiency was 55.6% in the control group during the same period. In the case of the 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs, complete degradation in the sample and 46% - 100% degradation in control was observed after one year of the experiment. The 5-ring and 6-ring PAHs were degraded to about 77%-100% in the sample group and 26%-87% in the control group during the one year of the experiment. The study results show that biostimulation is a very effective method to improve the degradation rate of organic pollutants and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds) in contaminated coastal sediment.