• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.5-14
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• 2017

Humic acid was used soil amendment or functional fertilizer in Korean agriculture, and its cation exchangeable capacity was high enough to increase soil buffering from plant toxicant. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of humic acid powder (HA) on composting of livestock manure (LM) and of its application on growth of lettuce. Treatments were designed as follows; livestock manure compost (LM+sawdust+bark+castor meal; Control), control+0.1% HA (0.1% HA), control+0.5% HA (0.5% HA), control+1.0% HA (1.0% HA), control+3.0% HA (3.0% HA), and control+5.0% HA (5.0% HA). The changes of temperature, water content, organic matter content, total nitrogen and ratio of organic matter and nitrogen in HA treatments were similar to those of control. Although pH of 3.0% HA and 5.0% HA blending with HA and LM was lower than those of others, it unaffected by HA blending during composting. Humic acid content of HA treatments was increased by 1.7~4.4 folds than that of control. As compared with odor index, 3.0% HA and 5% HA were decreased than control for composting time. Application of 3.0% HA increased the dry weight of lettuce by about 7% than that of control.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil selenium (Se) supplementation level on Se contents of green tea and milk vetch. Four different concentrations of sodium selenite ($Na_2SeO_3$) solutions (0.0, 3.3, 33.0 and 165.0${\mu}g/mL$) were prepared and one liter of each solution was well mixed with 10 kg of compost (cowpea soil) to give four different levels of Se-containing soil: $T_1$, 0; $T_2$, 33; $T_3$, 330; $T_4$, and 1,650${\mu}g$/100 g soil. Green tea plants and milk vetch were individually cultivated in those soils for 60 days. Se contents of freeze-dried green tea leaves were 6.87, 10.40, 12.04, and 20.19 ${\mu}g/g$, respectively; all of which were significantly different (p<0.05) from the others except for $T_2$ and $T_3$. The results showed that Se-contents of green tea leaves were increased 1.5$\sim$2.9 times as the Se level in the soil increased. Regression equation between Se contents in green tea (Y) and soil Se supplementation level (X) was: Y=0.007X＋8.857. However, Se contents in the milk vetch were increased significantly (p<0.05) more with the same treatments $T_3$ (74 ${\mu}g/g$) and $T_4$ (187$\mu$g/g) in comparison to those at $T_1$ (5.0 ${\mu}g/g$) and $T_2$ (12.0$\mu$g/g). The increases ranged from approximately between 2.4 to 37.4 times that of the control group. Regression equation between Se contents in milk vetch (Y) and soil Se supplementation level (X) was: Y=0.1063X＋15.989. The large difference of Se contents between green tea leaves and milk vetch would be attributed by the difference of protein contents between the 30% or higher protein-content of legumes and 15$\sim$20% protein of shrubs. The present study clearly indicates that green tea leaves and milk vetch can be enriched in selenium by supplementing the soil with Se. Therefore, Se-enriched green tea or milk vetch powder could be utilized as functional foods in Se-fortified green tea drinks or salads, or as food additives to enhance the daily intake of Se.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.142-154
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• 2016

Worldwide production of mushrooms has been increasing by 10-20% every year. Recently, Pleurotus eryngii and P. nebrodensis have become popular mushroom species for cultivation. In particular, China exceeded 8.7 million tons in 2002, which accounted for 71.5% of total world output. A similar trend was also observed in Korea. Two kinds of mushrooms-Gumji (金芝; Ganoderma) and Seoji-are described in the ancient book 'Samguksagi' (History of the three kingdoms; B.C 57~A.D 668; written by Bu Sik Kim in 1145) during the Korea-dynasty. Many kinds of mushrooms are also described in more than 17 ancient books during the Chosun-dynasty (1392~1910) in Korea. Approximately 200 commercial strains of 38 species of mushrooms were developed and distributed to cultivators. The somatic hybrid variety of oyster mushroom, 'Wonhyeong-neutari,' was developed by protoplast fusion, and distributed to growers in 1989. Further, the production of mushrooms as food was 199,829 metric tons, valued at 850 billion Korean Won (one trillion won if mushroom factory products are included) in 2015. In Korea, the major cultivated species are P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes, Agaricus bisporus, and Ganoderma lucidum, which account for 90% of the total production. Since mushroom export was initiated in 1960, the export and import of mushrooms have increased in Korea. Technology was developed for liquid spawn production, and automatic cultivation systems led to the reduction of production cost, resulting in the increase in mushroom export. However, some species were imported owing to high production costs for effective cultivation methods. In academia, RDA scientists have conducted mushroom genome projects since 1997. One of the main outcomes is the whole genome sequencing of Flammulina velutipes for molecular breeding. With regard to medicinal mushrooms, we have been conducting genome research on Cordyceps and its related species for developing functional foods. There are various kinds of beneficial substances in mushrooms; mushroom products, including pharmaceuticals, tonics, healthy beverages, functional biotransformants, and processed foods have also became available on the market. In addition, compost and feed can likewise be made from mushroom substrates after harvest.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2017

Iron (Fe) is an important micronutrient for the health and growth of plants. Iron is usually provided by fertilizers, and iron-chelate fertilizers are well absorbed by plants. This study presents the plant growth-promoting effects of a new functional iron fertilizer, Fe-chelating crab shell powder (FCSP), which is generated from the chelation of Fe ions with crab shell powder. Iron chelate was derived from spent pickling liquor, which is rich in reductive iron, iron(II) oxide. To analyze the effects of FCSP on plant growth, we treated lettuce with several concentrations of FCSP in both lab- and field-scale experiments. In the lab-scale test, the treatment of 50 ppm of FCSP highly promoted growth and resulted in increases in the size, weight, number and chlorophylls content of leaves of plants compared to the treatment of crab shell powder. Fifty ppm of FCSP also increased the size and weight of leaves up to 2 times compared to the application of chemical fertilizer and/or compost in field conditions. In addition, the FCSP treatment resulted in the highest ion uptake of Fe in lettuce leaves. Moreover, FCSP led to increases in the amounts of Fe, Ca, available phosphorus and organic matter in treated soil, indicating that soil quality was improved. Taken together, our results demonstrate that FCSP promotes lettuce growth via enhancement of Fe availability and improves soil quality. Therefore, FCSP can be utilized as a new functional iron fertilizer.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2005

World production of mushrooms has been increasing 10-20% every year. Recently, Pleurotus eryngii and P. nebrodensis are very popular as new mushroom species for cultivation. Two kinds of mushrooms, Gumji (Ganoderma) and Soji, were described in old book of Samguksagi (History of the three kingdoms; 1145) in Koryo-dynasty. Many kinds of mushrooms were also described in more than 16 kinds of old books during Chosun-dynasty in Korea. One hundred and sixty commercial strains of 25 species in mushrooms were distributed to cultivators. By the way, only 8 varieties of them have registered variety protection. Mushroom industry as important export products developed from 1960 to 1980. Production of mushrooms as food was 181,828 metric tons valued at 800 billion Korean won in 2003. Isolated and identified substances from mushrooms are promising antifungal, antiinflammatory, antitumor, antiviral (anti-HIV), antibacterial & antiparasitic, antidiabetic, immunomodulating, kidney tonic, hepatoprotective, nerve tonic, and sexual potentiator. These substances can also be used for blood pressure regulation and effective against cardiovascular disorders, hypocholesterolemia & hyperlipidemia, and chronicbronchitis. Mushroom products including pharmaceuticals, tonics, healthy beverages, functional biotransformants, and processed foods have also became available on the markets. Compost and feed can likewise be made from mushroom substrates after harvest. The mushroom industry is already one of the fastest growing investment sectors in Korea. By the way, there is a need to strain improvement for variety protection, advanced cultivation technology at low cost for growers, and control of demand and supply for marketing in order to more upgrade development of mushroom industry in the future.