• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.509-514
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• 2015

Indicators of environmental conditions qualitatively and quantitatively describe the state of the environment and natural resources, and the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) has initiated and suggested AEIs (Agri-Environmental Indicators) to assess trends over time of the effects of agriculture on the environment and the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural and environmental policy measures since 1990's. This study aims to develop the state indicators of water quality for agricultural water, surface and groundwater, to evaluate the environmental impacts of agricultural activities and policies by qualifying the environmental levels of a nation. Status indicators were calculated according to the agricultural water quality standards of OECD and Korea, and their trends were analyzed over time. Particularly, nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) status indicators of ground water in 2013 were significantly lower than the ones in 2000. Overall, the water quality indicators of surface water in 2013 were higher than the ones in 2012, except for pH and DO. The groundwater quality indicators in 2013 were lower than those of previous years. The optimal management indicators were calculated to assess agricultural surface water and groundwater quality. The findings of this study indicated that the state indicators could play a significant role to establish policies and procedures for managing and conserving water resources. This study also discussed water pollution caused by agricultural and industrial effluents.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.1089-1094
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• 2011

To treat non-point source pollution in Juam lake, removal efficiencies of pollutants were investigated in Bongsan constructed wetlands (CWs) at different treatment time, stages and wastewater loads. The constructed wetlands consisted of forebay, $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ wetlands. The concentrations of BOD, SS, T-N, and T-P in inflow were $1.87mg\;L^{-1}$, $1.62mg\;L^{-1}$, $11.47mg\;L^{-1}$, and $4.40mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The removal rates of BOD, SS, T-N, and T-P in Bongsan CWs were 26, 18, 16 and 9%, respectively. The removal rates of BOD and T-N were higher than those for SS and T-P. The amounts of pollutant removal in Bongsan CWs were higher in the order of forebay > $1^{st}$ wetland > $2^{nd}$ wetland for BOD, forebay > $2^{nd}$ wetland > $1^{st}$ wetland for SS, $1^{st}$ wetland > forebay > $2^{nd}$ wetland for T-N and $2^{nd}$ wetland > forebay > $1^{st}$ wetland for T-P.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.864-871
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• 2010

At the current situation of continuous utilization of heavy metal contaminated upland for agricultural purpose in Korea, minimizing transport of heavy metals from soil to crops is important for securing safety of human health. The present study (in field scale) examined the efficiency of several soil amendments (dolomite, steel slag, lime, zeolite, and compost) on reduction of phytoavailable heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in soil through comparison with no amendment treatment and clean soil cover treatment. For determination of the phytoavailability, 1 M $NH_4NO_3$ extraction and red pepper cultivation were introduced. Among the amendments, in general, dolomite and steel slag were the most effective in reduction of metal (Cd, Pb, and Zn) phytoavailability resulting in less accumulation of these metals in shoot and fruit of red pepper. However, dolomite and steel slag treatment was not as effective as clean soil cover treatment which showed the least metal accumulation in red pepper fruit. Nevertheless, with taking into account the cost, treatment of dolomite or steel slag can be competitive method because the current study showed that dolomite or steel slag treatment reduced accumulated heavy metal concentration effectively in both shoot and fruit of red pepper compared to those from control soil and the concentration in fruit was within the standard value (<0.2 mg $kg^{-1}$ for both Cd and Pb).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.412-417
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• 2007

This study was to elucidate the effects of layered double hydroxides(LDHs) application on the chemical properties of the soils along with the fate of the applied LDHs. The effects of LDHs application were compared with those of calcium carbonate widely used for the neutralization of acidic soils. Incorporation of LDHs into the soil resulted in higher pH value and $Mg^{2+}$ content in soil leachate than that of $CaCO_3$ treatment. There was no significant difference in water-soluble P content in both the treatments. However, $Al^{3+}$ and $Si^{4+}$ contents were decreased by LDHs and $CaCO_3$ treatment, even though a large amount of $Al^{3+}$ was released into soil solution with the disintegration of LDHs framework. LDHs structure in soil was gradually disintegrated from the its original layered structure under acidic condition of soil. Therefore, this study suggests that LDHs could be utilized as a carrier of functional substances to enhance the efficiency of various ago-chemicals without any ill effects on the soil environments.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2007

Soil aggregation has been considered as an important factor not only for increasing soil productivity and soil quality but also improving nutrient use availability and water use efficiency. However, the relationship between soil aggregation and soil properties hasn't well reported for Korean soils. Objective of this research was to identify the relationship among soil water-stable aggregate (WSA), soil properties and soil dispersion ratio. Soil samples were analyzed for water-stable aggregate, Middleton's dispersion ratio, and soil physical and chemical properties. Water-stable aggregate was significantly correlated to soil textural properties, soil organic matter, and exchangeable cations. Middleton's dispersion ratio was significantly correlated with water-stable aggregate ($r=-0.76^{***}$). Regression equation for water-stable aggregate was estimated by Middleton's dispersion ratio (Y=-0.79X + 96.49; $r^2=0.58^{**}$). In this research, we conclude that water-stable aggregate was significantly correlated with some soil properties and was able to be estimated by rapid and easily measurable Middleton's dispersion ratio.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: In this study, in order to verify the effects of supplemented organic amendment fertilizers recommended by the soil testing on cabbages, we used various amounts of organic amendment fertilizers. The amount of organic amendment fertilizers was decided by calculating each ratio of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium based on the recommended fertilizer composition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cabbages subjected to treatments 1 and 2 showed similar or greater leaf colors (SPAD values), head heights, head widths, head weight, soil organic matter content, nitrate-nitrogen level, and conductivity after harvest, when compared with cabbages treated with chemical fertilizers. The phosphorus and potassium fixation in the soil were higher in the plot where cabbages were treated with chemical fertilizers, and the nutrient use efficiency was greater in the plots with organic amendments and mineral addition. CONCLUSION: The treatments 1 and 2 that were supplemented with 180-200% of nitrogen, 100-130% of phosphorus, and 185-250% of potassium in comparison to chemical fertilizers, applied by the inorganic ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be used as organic amendment fertilizers for cabbages.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

This research was carried out to investigate the plant growth, inorganic ion and amino acid content characteristics in a halophyte, Suaeda glauca, under different NaCl concentrations for cultivating in the reclaimed land. S. glauca was hydroponically cultivated under 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM NaCl concentrations with Hogland's nutrient solution. To evaluate growth response under different NaCl concentrations, plant height and number of branches, dry weight, Fv/Fm value, and photosynthetic efficiency were investigated. To find out physiological characteristic, inorganic ion contents and amino acids in the plant were evaluated. The optimum concentration of NaCl for plant growth were 50 mM. The plant growth were gradually decreased in the concentration ranged from 100 to 400 mM. As increasing of NaCl concentration, Na ion was increased, but K, Ca, Mg ions were decreased in the plant. The amino acid contents were varied due to NaCl concentrations, but most of amino acids content in total plant was the lowest at 50 mM. Conversely, proline was exceptionally high at 50 mM of NaCl concentration. The Fv/Fm value was the highest at 50 mM of NaCl concentration. From these results, the optimum salt concentration for the growth of S. glauca was 50 mM, but the plant seems to adapt in a variety of salt environments in view of the change of ions and amino acids depending on salt concentration and the maintenance of photosynthetic efficiency even under high salt condition.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2016

India is largest producer of banana in the world producing 29.72 million tonnes from an area of 0.803 million ha with a productivity of 35.7 MT ha-1 and accounted for 15.48 and 27.01 per cent of the world's area and production respectively (www.nhb.gov.in). In India, Tamil Nadu leads other states both in terms of area and production followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. In Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool district had special reputation in the cultivation of banana in an area of 5765 hectares with an annual production of 2.01 lakh tonnes in the year 2012-13 and hence, it was purposively chosen for the study. On $23^{rd}$ November 2003, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has commenced a comprehensive project called 'Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP)', first of its kind in the world so as to promote water use efficiency. APMIP is offering 100 per cent of subsidy in case of SC, ST and 90 per cent in case of other categories of farmers up to 5.0 acres of land. In case of acreage between 5-10 acres, 70 per cent subsidy and acreage above 10, 50 per cent of subsidy is given to the farmer beneficiaries. The sampling frame consists of Kurnool district, two mandals, four villages and 180 sample farmers comprising of 60 farmers each from Marginal (<1ha), Small (1-2ha) and Other (>2ha) categories. A well structured pre-tested schedule was employed to collect the requisite information pertaining to the performance of drip irrigation among the sample farmers and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to analyze the performance of drip irrigation in banana farms. The performance of drip irrigation was assessed based on the parameters like: Land Development Works (LDW), Fertigation costs (FC), Volume of water supplied (VWS), Annual maintenance costs of drip irrigation (AMC), Economic Status of the farmer (ES), Crop Productivity (CP) etc. The first four parameters are considered as inputs and last two as outputs for DEA modelling purposes. The findings revealed that, the number of farms operating at CRS are more in number in other farms (46.66%) followed by marginal (45%) and small farms (28.33%). Similarly, regarding the number of farmers operating at VRS, the other farms are again more in number with 61.66 per cent followed by marginal (53.33%) and small farms (35%). With reference to scale efficiency, marginal farms dominate the scenario with 57 per cent followed by others (55%) and small farms (50%). At pooled level, 26.11 per cent of the farms are being operated at CRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.6138 i.e., 47 out of 180 farms. Nearly 40 per cent of the farmers at pooled level are being operated at VRS with an average technical efficiency score of 0.7241. As regards to scale efficiency, nearly 52 per cent of the farmers (94 out of 180 farmers) at pooled level, either performed at the optimum scale or were close to the optimum scale (farms having scale efficiency values equal to or more than 0.90). Majority of the farms (39.44%) are operating at IRS and only 29 per cent of the farmers are operating at DRS. This signifies that, more resources should be provided to these farms operating at IRS and the same should be decreased towards the farms operating at DRS. Nearly 32 per cent of the farms are operating at CRS indicating efficient utilization of resources. Log linear regression model was used to analyze the major determinants of input use efficiency in banana farms. The input variables considered under DEA model were again considered as influential factors for the CRS obtained for the three categories of farmers. Volume of water supplied ($X_1$) and fertigation cost ($X_2$) are the major determinants of banana farms across all the farmer categories and even at pooled level. In view of their positive influence on the CRS, it is essential to strengthen modern irrigation infrastructure like drip irrigation and offer more fertilizer subsidies to the farmer to enhance the crop production on cost-effective basis in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This study further suggests that, the present era of Information Technology will help the irrigation management in the context of generating new techniques, extension, adoption and information. It will also guide the farmers in irrigation scheduling and quantifying the irrigation water requirements in accordance with the water availability in a particular season. So, it is high time for the Government of India to pay adequate attention towards the applications of 'Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its applications in irrigation water management' for facilitating the deployment of Decision Supports Systems (DSSs) at various levels of planning and management of water resources in the country.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate an effects on ago-chemical alternative materials such as the wood vinegar, a lactic acid bacteria serum, the fermented plant juice, the brown rice vinegar and a Chitosan used for amount and qualities of fruits and to examine the pest protection efficiency for their uses in the apple and pear orchard farms. An apple yields in the orchard cultivated with using the ago-chemical alternative materials without appling the fertilizer and pesticides were decreased at 56% relative to the conventional farming practice method. Also, it was indicated that there was difficult to produce the fruits with marketability because the small sizes of fruits were produced. For the quality of fruits, the brix of apple produced in the orchard cultivated with using the ago-chemical alternative materials was similar, but Vitamin C content was greater than that of the conventional farming practice method. As a results of treating with the wood vinegar, a lactic acid bacteria serum, the fermented plant juice, the brown rice vinegar and a Chitosan instead of applying pesticides, the fruit disease in the Chitosan treatment was a little decreased, but was great occurred in the other treatments compared with the conventional farming practice mehod. However, it observed that brix and Vitamin C content of apple produced in the Chitosan, brown rice vinegar, fermented plan juice and fish amino acid treatments and in the Chitosan, brown rice vinegar, charcoal power and peat moss treatments were greater than those of the conventional farming practice method, respectively. Over all, it considered that there was very difficult to manage the orchard depended on the ago-chemical alternative materials without appling the chemical fertilizer and pesticides in the apple orchard, but it might be proper to use the ago-chemical alternative materials as an auxiliary means to decrease the appling amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. Furthermore, the general effects on the ago-chemical alternative materials to the perennial fruits should be investigated with considering the changes of soil fertility, soil microbial status and natural enemy creatures after treating them for a long time.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-155
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• 1983

Though it has been widely known the nitrogen effects are influenced by soils, varieties, and mineral nutrients in the rice culture, few analyses in relation to the factors increasing nitrogen effect have been studied in Korea. The effects of potassium and silica on the factors increasing nitrogen effects in paddy soils were investigated in accordance with soil improvement practices and nitrogen application methods for the cultivated varieties. The results obtained are as follows. 1. For 413 paddy fields, the yield from soils without nitrogen application ranged from 200 to 850kg/10a and that from nitrogen application did 350 to 1,051kg/10a. The yield increament by nitrogen application varied 50 to 650kg/10a depending on soils. 2. Soil chemical characteristics for high yield were different between with nitrogen and without nitrogen application. In the without nitrogen application, however, contents of organic matter, phosphorous, potassium and calcium of high yield soils were lower than those of low yield, while the available silica content was higher in the former. 3. The yield increased with nitrogen application up to 22.4kg/10a and thereafter it decreased. These phenomena were supposed to be not be decrease of nitrogen uptake but by lowered silica uptake. 4. Clay soil incorporation, deep plough, and inorganic constituents control such as Ca, Mg, and $Sio_2$ were effective as soil improvement praitices. It was appeared that increases of silica content and Ca/Mg ratio were important to increase nitrogen effects. 5. For the correlation between yield and yield components, it was high between yield and panicle in low nitrogen level and so was it between grain yield and ripening rate in high nitrogen. 6. In the urea and super granule urea application plot, recovery rate of nitrogen by plant and soil was high and yield was remarkable high. 7. Regardless of fertilizer types such as ammonium sulfate and urea, the residual nitrogen was about 4kg/10a in both plots of 5.8 and 11.6kg/10a. N applied. 8. The potassium application to soil enhanced the nitrogen efficiency. It was more effective in low potassium soil. 9. Optimum pH value for gel formation in the 4% sodium silicate solution was approximately 6.6. 10. It was suggested that silica could affect to rice plant growth as the inorganic and organic chemical components.