• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.325-335
• /
• 1985

Biogas production from agricultural wastes were summarized as follows: 1. Biogas Generation Characteristics of Various Manures and Residues a. Gas yield from crop residues like rice straw, rice hull, corn stalk and coconut husk can be improved by addition of animal manures. b. Gas yield from coconut husk can be improved through aerobic fermentation for at least one week before loading in the digester. c. Gas yield from fresh rice straw is better than from pre-fermented one, whether alone or in combination with animal manures. d. Initial study has shown that fresh azolla can be substituted for animal manures in manurerice straw combinations and gas yield derived based on unit volatile solids loaded is actually better than for manure-residue combinations. e. Gas production is highly sensitive to substrate pH and becomes almost nil at a pH of below 6. 2. Effect of ambient conditions and other factors on biogas production in a house hold-size digester. a. Results showed that compaction of rice straw in straw-manure combination can reduce gas yield compared with loosely mixed straw. b. The effective gas production period extended to 70 days using freshly threshed rice straw and fresh cattle manure as feed material. c. Underground and above ground digesters with shade have relatively more stable substrate temperature than aboveground exposed digesters. This relative temperature instability may likely be the reason for lower gas yield for the exposed aboveground digester loaded with loose straw-cattle manure substrate, compared with the underground digester with the same substrate. 3. Economic Analysis a. Based on prevailing costs of fuel, materials, and labor in the Philippines, biogas produced from the household size system is cheaper than either LPG or kerosene. b. If other benefits like organic fertilizer, pollution control and convenience are considered, biogas will surely be the best alternative fuel source.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 1989

In order to study spatial variability of soil chemical properties across the land-partitioned boundary on Hwadong silt clay loam soil (Fine clayey, mixed, mesic family of Aquic Hapludalfs) in the experimental fie ld of the wheat and Barley Research Institute in Suwon, all measured data were analyzed by means of kriging, fractile diagram, smooth frequency distribution, and autocorrelation. Sampling for soil chemical property analysis was made at 225 intersections of 15x 15 grid with 10m interval from three soil depths (0-10cm, 25-35cm, 50-60cm) in the seven patitioned fields. 1. The coefficient of variance (CV) of various chemical properties varied from 5.4 to 72.7%. Soil pH was classified into the low variation group with CV smaller than 10%, while the other chemical properties belonged to the medium variation group with C.V. between 10 and 100% 2. The approximate number of soil samples for the determination of various chemical properties with error smaller than 10% were two for pH, ten for CEC, 15 for exchangeable Ca, 32 for total nitrogen content, 39 for exchangeable Mg, 40 for exchangeable K, 61 for exchangeable Na, 82 for organic matter content, 212 for available phosphate,. 3. Smooth frequency distribution and fractile diagram showed that available phosphate was in log-normal distribution while others were in normal distribution. 4. Serial correlation analysis revaled that the soil chemical properties had spatial dependence between two nearest neighbouring grid points. Autocorrelation analysis of chemcial properties measured between the serial grid points in the direction of south to north following land-partitioned boundary showed that the zone of influence showing stationarity ranged from 20 to 50m. In the direction of east to west accross land-partitioned boundary, the autocorrelogram of many chemical properies showed peaks with the periodic interval of 30m, which were similar to the partitioned land width. This reveals that the land-partitioned boundary causes soil variability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.153-159
• /
• 1987

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of $^{42}K$ and $^{45}Ca$ were studied by making use of the natural zeolite, bentonite, and vermiculite. The work included that the fittness tests for the Freundlich and the Langmuir adsorption isotherms and desorption of the radionuclides from adsorbents by extracting with $NH^+_4$ ($1N-NH_4OAc$). The adsorption by the radionuclides are fitted well with both of the adsorption equations. The Langmuir adsorption maximum of $^{42}K$ is higher than that of $^{45}Ca$ by the zeolite and bentonite except vermiculite, and the values of $^{42}K$ decrease in the order of Zeolite (Zt)>Bentonite (Bt)>Vemiculite (Vt). As for $^{45}Ca$, the maximum adsorption values decrease in the order of Bt>Vt>Zt. The ionic radii of K and Ca seem to be closely related with fixation in the cavity of the zeolite that adsorb more $^{42}K$ than $^{45}Ca$. The smaller ionic size of Ca seems to be resulted in the lower adsorption of $^{45}Ca$ by the zeolite because Ca could leave easily from the cavity. Ionic size of K, however, seems to be similar with size of the cavity. $^{45}Ca$ adsorption by the bentonite, on the other hand, show higher adsorption than $^{42}K$. The higher charge density of the divalent cations than those of the monovalent cations seems to be the main consideration. For the retention strength of the adsorbed $^{42}K$ and $^{45}Ca$ by the adsorbents, a comparison is made by use of the Langmuir constant(k). The results indicated that the constant values for K are smaller than those of Ca in all the adsorbents. It seems that the smaller values of the constant, the weaker retention strength. For $^{42}K$, the percentage of desorption decrease in the order of Zt>Bt>Vt, but in the case of $^{45}Ca$, it decreases in the order of Vt>Zt>Bt. The results show that the weaker binding strength as represented by small value of the Langmuir constant, the higher percentage of the removal except fixing preferably $K^+$ by the vemiculite. In conclusion, the zeolite could adsorb much more $^{42}K$ and remove it more than others. For $^{45}Ca$, the bentonite could adsorb more and desorb less than others.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 1989

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the contents and distribution of amino acids in the hydrolysates of humic acids extracted from 3 plant materials. Wild grass hay, and leaves of forest trees were used in this study. Seventeen amino acids were analyzed and their amounts determined. Results obtained from the experiments are summarized in the following: 1. Contents and distribution of hydrolyzable amino acids in the humic acid fractions depend on the kind of plant materials and the allowed time for humification. 2. Neutral amino acids was the largest part of the total amino acids, followed by acidic amino acids, and basic amino acids. 3. The total amounts of amino acids in the hydrolyzable humic acid fractions of well humified residues were in the following order: wild grass hay > leaves of deciduous trees > leaves of coniferous trees 4. In general the relative amounts of lysine increased with humification progressing. S. Glycine and glutamic acid were the two major amino acids in common for the hydrolysate of humic acids extracted from well decomposed residues of plant materials. Alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, aspartic acid and leucine were the five major amino acid in common in raw materials without exception. 6. Arginine appeared to be absent in any of the hydrolysates of humic acids from well humified plant materials. 7. Phenylalanine and tyrosine were present in all hydrolysates and their relative contents increased with the humification of plant materials.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2001

Total upland area for cultivating the vegetable crops in the Alpine soils of Northeastern South Korea has been extending its limit to meet the increasing demand of vegetable food in recent decades. About 70% of these alpine soils are located in over 7% of the slope and most of vegetable crops have been cultivated intensively without practicing the best management systems. Thus, soil erosion and continuous cropping system have degenerated the soil fertility and shown detrimental effects on water quality. We initiated an intensive and extensive investigation to characterize the fertility problems encountered in these uplands. Objectives of this paper were to characterize the fertility status in the Alpine soils cultivated with vegetable crops for many years and to provide the recommendations for adequate soil management measures including fertilization and erosion control. Soils in general have good drainage with textural classes of loam or sandy loam. Their topographical characteristics tended to lead them to shallow plow layers, and the steepness of the terrain created erosion hazard. Of the soils examined, about 11% of uplands over 30% gradient was found in need of an urgent reforestation. A high content of gravel and firm hardness of soil attributed to inhibit the utilization of farm machinery and plant-root development. The average soil pH 5.6 was slightly low relative to pH 5.70 of the national average. Organic matter content was high compared with 2.0% of national average, but decreased with the prolonged cultivation periods. Available $P_2O_5$ concentration was unusually high due to the consequence of over dose application with chemical and organic fertilizers. Exchangeable cations as Ca, Mg, and K were appeared to be decreased in these regions with prolonging the cultivation periods. There were no significant differences in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and electrical conductivity (EC) among locations. Heavy metal contents were mostly lower than the threshold of danger level designated by Soil Environment Conservation Law of South Korea. Results indicated that a proper countermeasure and the best management practice should be immediately implemented to conserve the top soil and fertility in the Alpine regions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.193-204
• /
• 2000

In order to get some basic data on environmental friendly function by Korean organic farming, the chemical characteristics of soil were determined on 100 farm cultivating site in Paldang watershed area of Great Seoul. The EC and content of $NO_3-N$ and Av. $P_2O_5$ in topsoil(0~30cm) showed $2.30dS\;m^{-1}$, $82mg\;kg^{-1}$, $918mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil cultivated chinese cabbage. $2.29dS\;m^{-1}$, $86mg\;kg^{-1}$, $954mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil of lettuce, $1.83dS\;m^{-1}$, $66mg\;kg^{-1}$, $1114mg\;kg^{-1}$ in the soil of crown daisy. These salt accumulation(EC) and the high concentration of mineral content in topsoil such as nitrate and phosphate showed the soils of organic farming were contaminated by practice of organic farming for the maintenance strategy of soil fertility. The $NO_3-N$ and Av. $P_2O_5$ in the subsoil(30~60cm) showed $75mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $641mg\;kg^{-1}$, $72mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $466mg\;kg^{-1}$, $42mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $873mg\;kg^{-1}$ in soil cultivated chinese cabbage, lettuce and crown daisy respectively. It indicates eventually the high concentration of nitrate and phosphate in topsoil caused penetration to subsoil, and the high concentration of mineral contents in subsoil indicate the potential risk of leaching of ground water by Korean organic farming. The positive correlation at 1% between EC and $NO_3-N$, $K_2O$, T-C, $P_2O_5$ and T-N show the salt accumulation in the both soil depth of Korean organic farming were caused by minerals such as $NO_3-N$, $K_2O$, T-C, $P_2O_5$ and T-N by overuse of organic fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 1998

To characterize the growth environment, inorganic composition and morphological chracteristics of leaves of Korean tea plant, soil and tea leaf samples were collected from 15 locations and analyzed. The chemical characteristics of soils were in range of pH 4.09~6.15, OM 23.9~72.6g/kg, available phosphate less than 300mg/kg, K $0.8{\sim}2.5cmol^+/kg$, Na $tr{\sim}0.17cmol^+/kg$, Ca $1.0{\sim}6.2cmol^+/kg$, and Mg $0.3{\sim}2.1cmol^+/kg$. The contents of Ni. Cr, Zn. Cu, Pb, and Cd were at the level less than natural content in upland soil. Most of the sample soils were sandy loamy and loamy texture. The native tea plants were mainly grown in bamboo thicket or in forest. The leaf sizes of tea plants were $6.85{\pm}1.75{\times}2.6{\pm}0.5cm$, lateral vein number $14.2{\pm}2.7$, and crenated number $58.5{\pm}11.2$, and the leaf color was thin to dark green. The contents of $NH_4{^+}$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ in tea leaves were in range of 30.5~47.7, 45.5~164.5, 16,998~25,431, 1.590~2,392 and 1,085~1,958mg/kg, respectively. The contents of $F^-$, $Cl^-$, $NO_3{^-}$, $PO_4{^{3-}}$ and $SO_4{^{2-}}$ were in range of 21.2~63.2, 126.4~257.9, 108.5~185.9, 1,270~1.819, and $954{\sim}1,670mg/kg$, respectively. The leaf size of native tea plant grown widlly in Shunchun Changchun-ri, Hwasun Ssangbongsa, Kuryoi Chonunsa, Bosong Daewonsa and Namhae Boriam was as large as those of Yabukita. Japan cultiver, grown at Kangjin Jangwon tea field.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.351-356
• /
• 2006

A long-term experiment was initiated in 1979 at Experiment Farm of Honam Agricultural Research Institute, to investigate the effects of continued use of organic matter (rice straw and compost) along with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer in rice cultivation. The soils of experimental plots is classified as Jeonbug series developed on Fluvio-marine deposits. The application rates of rice straw and compost were 5 Mg/ha/year and 10 Mg/ha/per year, respectively. The fertilizer N application rates per season were 0, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg/ha. In 2002, after 24 years of experiment, the effect of different treatments on soil pH, characteristics soil organic matter, soil N and P were investigated. The results of the study is summarized as following. The continue use of organic matter tended to lower the soil pH, to increase organic matter and available phosphate contents. The rice straw tended to lower soil pH more than compost, while the effect of compost was greater in increasing soil organic matter and available soil P then rice straw. The application of organic matter resulted in the increase in total organic N in the soil. Such effect was greater in compost application than in rice straw application. In organic N, greatest was amino acid-N, followed by unidentifiable organic N. The least was amino sugar-N. The application of organic matter with and without nitrogen fertilizer affected the in organic fractions of P, particularly Fe-P and Al-P. The application of rice straw tended to increase Ca-P.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 2005

Pharmaceutical byproduct sludge and cosmetic industry wastewater sludge can be used as a raw material of compost. Effects of three types of pharmaceutical byproduct sludge and one type of cosmetic industry wastewater sludge on soil properties and red pepper growth were investigated in a field based concrete pot ($2{\times}2m$). These sludges and pig manure ($5Mg\;ha^{-1}$, dry basis) were incorporated into the upper of loam soil 30 days prior to transplanting red pepper. Changes in soil properties and contents of heavy metals and toxic organic compounds in soil and plant were measured. And also plant growth measurement and bioassay of soil phytotoxicity were included. Contents of heavy metals were increased in the soils treated with the sludges. Plant growth in the sludge treatments were mostly inferior to that of NPK treatment, especially in early stage. Content of N in plant was lower in all sludge treatments at early and middle growth stages, and it was especially caused by characteristics and concentration of nitrogen and organic matter of sludges. Total yield of red pepper was highest in the NPK treatment and followed by pharmaceutical sludge 3, pig manure, pharmaceutical sludge 1, and pharmaceutical sludge 2, and the yield of cosmetic sludge treatment was considerably lower than others. HEM and PAHs contents in soil of cosmetic sludge treatment were $4.80mg\;kg^{-1}$ and $2,263.2{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Root elongation of lettuce exposed to the water extract of soil treated with cosmetic sludge was about 20% of that found in the test with soil extract of non fertilization treatment. At present, raw materials of compost were authorized according to the contents of organic matter, heavy metals and product processing. Toxic organic compounds analysis and bioassay would be helpful for authorization and assessment of suitability of raw materials of compost.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 2003

Effects of magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$) and magnesium hydroxide $[Mg(OH)_2]$, which have different chemical characteristics, on soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and exchangeable cation distributions were investigated. Using plastic columns packed with a loam soil, the two Mg-fertilizers were treated at the rate of $300kg\;MgO\;ha^{-1}$ and water was applied on the soil surface four times at every 7 days. Soil samples were taken at 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm depth after 7 days of each water application. Magnesium hydroxide could increase soil pH, but due to the low solubility of $Mg(OH)_2$, the effect on pH was limited on the surface soil. Soil pH was lowered in the $MgSO_4$ treatment and the effect was found through the 20 cm depth. Since the pH decrease in $MgSO_4$ treated soil was due to the salts from $MgSO_4$, after leaching of most salts from the investigated soil depth pH was not significantly different from that of non-treated soil. Soil EC was increased in $MgSO_4$ treatment through the soil depth, but in $Mg(OH)_2$ treatment EC was slightly increased only at the surface layer. Exchangeable Mg was increased in both of the treatments at surface layer after the first water application. In $Mg(OH)_2$ treatment, the increase of exchangeable Mg was found only at 5 cm depth through the experiment, but leaching down of Mg in the $MgSO_4$ treatment was very apparent. High concentration of Mg in the $MgSO_4$ treated soil could effectively replace exchangeable Ca through the investigated soil depth, but the effect of $Mg(OH)_2$ on exchangeable Ca was not significant.