• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1642-1650
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite (a natural zeolite) on growth and performance of broilers as well as on the quality of their litter. A total of 5,200 one-day old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were used in two consecutive rounds lasting 42 days each. The broilers were given free and continuous access to a nutritionally non-limiting diet (in meal form) that was either a basal diet (B) or a 'zeolite diet' (Z; the basal diet supplemented with clinoptilolite at a level of 2%). A $2{\times}2$ factorial design consisted of two feeding treatments (B and Z) and two bedding types, sawdust (S) and sawdust with zeolite (Sz, which was the result of adding $2kg\;zeolite/m^2$), was used. In each round the broilers were randomly assigned to one of four (n = 650), treatment groups: two fed on the basal diet (B) and had bedding of either sawdust (group BS) or sawdust and zeolite (group BSz) and two fed on the Z diet and had as bedding either sawdust (ZS) or sawdust and zeolite (ZSz). Average growth rates were significantly (p<0.05) different between broilers of different groups; broilers that were fed on the 'zeolite diet' (Z) and were placed either in a compartment with sawdust bedding or sawdust bedding and zeolite (ZS and ZSz) as well those that were fed on the basal diet in a compartment with sawdust bedding and zeolite (BSz) grew at a faster rate (p<0.05) compared with those of the control group (BS). The incorporation of NZ in broilers diets and in their bedding material decreased the organic content in litter samples throughout the experimental period. The lowest organic content was recorded in group ZSz where NZ was added in both feed and litter. Mean ammonia concentration (ppm) was significantly higher in group ZS in comparison to groups BSz and ZSz (27.00 vs. 20.55 and 21.71 respectively). The results of this study showed that the incorporation of the clinoptilolite both in feed and into the litter had a positive effect on broiler growth and also on the quality of their litter.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.123-133
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• 1982

The tropic structure and the function of a small pone ecosystem under the tree stand were studied in terms of energy flow. About 28% of total solar radiation was intercepted by the tree canopy over the pond. Primary producers converted 1.1%(3,382 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$) of solar radiation (320,000 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$) into gross primary production. The amount of energy availble to the pond snail was 1,683 kcal.m-2.y-1 of the net production by primary producers and 1,033 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$ of the litter fallen into the pond. The amount of gross secondary production by the pond snail was 245 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$. Judging from these, supply of both net primary production and the litter was indispensable for the maintenance of the pond ecosystem. The total amont of energy as gross primary production plus litter was 4,415 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$(100%). Since the total respiration loss was calculated to be 1,917 kcal$\cdot$$m^{-2}$$\cdot$$y^{-1}$(43.4%), the rate of energy accumulation in the pond estimated to 56.6%.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.73-86
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• 2006

Concentrated poultry production in the State of Alabama, U.S.A. results in excessive poultry litter. Application of poultry litter to pastures and row crops serves as a cheap alternative to commercial fertilizer. However, over the years, poultry litter application to perennial forage crops in the Appalachian Plateau region of North Alabama has resulted in phosphorus (P) buildup in soils. Phosphorus index (P-index) and comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMP) are often used as a best management practice (BMP) for proper land application of litter. Because nutrient management planning is often not done for small animal feeding operations (AFOs), and also because, in case of excess litter, litter transportation infrastructure has not been developed, over application of poultry litter to near by area is a common practice. To alleviate this problem, optimal poultry litter management and transportation infrastructure needs to be developed. This paper presents a methodology to optimize poultry litter application and transportation through efficient nutrient management planning and transportation network analysis. The goal was accomplished through implementation of three important modules, a P-Index module, a CNMP module, and a transportation network analysis module within ArcGIS, a Geographic Information System (GIS). The CNMP and P-Index modules assist with land application of poultry litter at a rate that is protective of water quality, while the transportation network analysis module helps transport excess litter to areas requiring litter in the Appalachian Plateau and Black Belt (a nutrient-deficient area) regions. Once fully developed and implemented, such a system will help alleviate water quality problems in the Appalachian Plateau region and poor soil fertility problems in the Black Belt region by optimizing land application and transportation. The utility of the methodology is illustrated through a hypothetical case study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2009

It is necessary to determine the amount of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) absorbed by plants and released from forest floor into atmosphere, to gain a better understanding how forests participate in the global carbon cycle. Soil $CO_2$ efflux, litter production, and decomposition were investigated in Q. variabilis and P. densiflora stands in the vicinity of Gwangju, Chonnam province. Soil $CO_2$ efflux was measured using Infrared Gas Analyzer (IRGA) at midday of the 10th day at every month over 12-month period, to quantify seasonal and annual budgets of soil $CO_2$ efflux. Soil temperature and soil moisture were measured at the same time. Seasonal soil $CO_2$ efflux in Q. variabilis and P. densiflora were the highest in summer season. In August, maximum soil $CO_2$ efflux in Q. variabilis and P. densiflora was 7.49, $4.61CO_2{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, respectively. Annual $CO_2$ efflux in each stand was 1.77, $1.67CO_2kg{\cdot}m^{-2}$ respectively. Soil $CO_2$ efflux increased exponentially with soil temperature and related strongly in Q. variabilis ($r^2$=0.96), and in P. densiflora ($r^2$=0.91). Litter production continued throughout the year, but showed a peak on November and December. Annual litter production in the Q. variabilis and P. densiflora stands were $613.7gdw{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ and $550.5gdw{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$.$yr^{-1}$, respectively. After 1 year, % remaining mass of Q. variabilis and P. densiflora litter was 48.2, 57.1%, respectively. The soil $CO_2$ efflux rates in this study showed clear seasonal variations. In addition, the temporal variation in the $CO_2$ efflux rates was closely related to the soil temperature fluctuation rather than to variations in the soil moisture content. The range of fluctuation of soil $CO_2$ efflux and litter decomposition rate showed similar seasonal changes. The range of fluctuation of soil $CO_2$ efflux and litter decomposition rate was higher during summer and autumn than spring and winter.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2004

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of applying two different additives to the litter on broiler performance and the carbon dioxide gas production in poultry cages. In two different experiments, the carbon dioxide gas production in poultry litter used for 42 days was measured. The chemical additives were applied to the litter at a rate of 200 g aluminum chloride(A1Cl$_3$ㆍ6$H_2O$) or 200 g aluminum sulfate [Al$_2$(SO$_4$)$_3$ㆍ14$H_2O$, Alum] + 50 g carbon carbonate per kg litter. There was no effect on broiler performance by the litter additives, but the values of carbon dioxide gas produced from broiler litters which were treated with chemical additives were significantly lower(P < 0.05 and 0.01) than that of the control. This study showed that carbon dioxide gas production can be reduced by chemically treating the litter with A1Cl$_3$ or Alum + CaCO$_3$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.267-274
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 20-day litter weight on behavior and heart rate variability (HRV) of piglets under stress. Methods: Forty four original litters were categorized as high litter weight (HW) litters (n = 22) and low litter weight (LW) litters (n = 22) by 20-day litter weight. From each original HW litter, three males and three females were randomly selected after weaning and the 12 piglets from two original litters with similar age of days were regrouped into one new high litter weight (NHW) litter (11 NHW litters in total). The original LW litters were treated with a same program, so that there were 11 new low litter weight (NLW) litters as well. The latencies to first fighting, fighting frequencies and duration within three hours were recorded after regrouping and the lesions on body surface within 48 hours were scored. Besides, HR (heart rate, bpm, beats per minute) and activity count (ACT), time domain indexes and frequency domain indexes of the piglets were measured in an isolation trial to analyze the discrepancy in coping with stress between the original HW and LW litters. Results: The results exhibited that piglets from the HW litters launched fighting sooner and got statistically higher skin lesion score than those from the LW litters (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Regarding the HRV detection, compared with the HW litters, the LW litters exhibited a lower mean HR (p<0.05). In the isolation test, a highly significant higher ACT value was observed between the HW litters, compared to the LW litters (p<0.01). Significant differences were observed in standard deviation of R-R intervals, standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals, and most frequency-domain indicators: very low-frequency, low-frequency, and high frequency between the HW and LW litters as well. The difference in LF:HF was not significant (p = 0.779). Conclusion: This study suggests that compared with litters of low 20-day litter weights, litters with higher 20-day litter weight take more positive strategies to cope with stress and have stronger HRV regulation capacity; HW litters demonstrate better anti-stress and adaptation capacity in the case of regrouping and isolation.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2003

This on­site survey was performed by visiting sites in Israel and USA where broiler litter is studied, manufactured as feed and applied practically and interviewing experts related. Their advanced experiences, technologies and informations were collected, analyzed, compared with Korean situations and described on the text of this article. Although broiler litter has been successfully used as feed for at least 40 years in Israel and USA, its practice and application rate of the technologies related has been very slow in Korea. Many informations presented here will be very helpful for the successful on­site application of hygienically processed broiler litter as livestock feed. It's doubtless that these efforts to use broiler litter­like underutilized feed resource will result in considerable livestock production cost cut­down and environmental pollution prevention.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1475-1478
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• 2005

Statistical analysis was conducted on sow stillbirth traits of three genotypes with 2,400 litters including the Erhualian, Large White and the $F_1$ cross of these two breeds. Number of stillborn piglets per litter in the Erhualian, Large White and the $F_1$ averaged 0.85, 0.31 and 0.70, and percentage born alive averaged 95.0%, 97.0% and 95.5%, respectively. Erhualian sows with a greater litter size also had a higher stillbirth rate. Results of analysis of variance indicated that genotype, parity, farrowing year${\times}$farrowing season interaction and total number born had highly significant effects on both number of stillborn piglets per litter and percentage born alive in sows (p<0.0001). Farrowing year had no significant effect on number of stillborn piglets per litter (p>0.05), and highly significant effect on percentage born alive (p<0.01). Farrowing season had highly significant effects on both number of stillborn piglets per litter and percentage born alive (p<0.01). From parity one to parity ten, least squares means for number of stillborn piglets per litter progressively increased with increasing parity and least squares means for percentage born alive progressively decreased with increasing parity. Sows that farrowed in winter had the highest number of stillborn piglets per litter and the lowest percentage born alive, sows that farrowed in autumn had the lowest number of stillborn piglets per litter and the highest percentage born alive. With increasing total number born, least squares means for number of stillborn piglets per litter markedly increased and least squares means for percentage born alive markedly decreased. Results from analysis of paternal half sibs indicated that the heritabilities for number of stillborn piglets per litter and percentage born alive were 0.110 and 0.124, and the genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations between them were -0.989, -0.951 and -0.948, respectively. These results indicated that number of stillborn piglets per litter and percentage born alive were traits with the similar genetic background.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.4 no.1_2
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• pp.38-51
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• 1981

The present investigation was estimated the effect of temperature, precipitatiion, and time on the decomposition of litters with litter bags of Pinus densiffora and Quercus mongolica at Gure where elevation in 50m, and at Nogodan where elevation in 1300m on Mt. Jiri. As the above results, decomposition model was proposed to relation of the environmental conditions. And was investigated the production and decomposition of litters from the stands of various forest communities in Kwangneung, Mt. Jiri and Mt. Halla. The results are as follows; The models for the decay of organic carbon (C) was as follows: $C=Coe^{-Kt}$ (limiting factor;time) $C=Coe^{-K'te}$ (limiting factor;tempedrature) $C=Coe^{-KnP}$ (limiting factor:precipitation) As observed in litter bag method, the decomposition rate of litter in Pinus densiflora was slower than that of Quercus mongolica. The higher elevation, the slower decomposition rate. The decomposition of litters at Gure where elevation in 50m was equally influenced by temperature and precipitation. But at Nogodan where elevation in 1300m was much inflenced by precipitation. The decay constant of litters was larger in hardwood forest than in coniferous forest. In the same species, the more elevatiion, the less decomposition constant. The time required for the decay of 50%, 95^, 99% of the accumulated litters in the forest floor were faster in hardwood forest than in coniferous forest. In the same species, the higher elevatiion, the longer time required.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1990

The rates of litter production and decomposition of litters from grasslands and forests in Mt. Guryong were studied. The annual litter production of Glycine soja showed the highest value 1950.88 g/$m^2$/yr in the grasslands and that in Quercus acutissima, as 2202.38 g/$m^2$/yr in the forests. The highest decay rate of the grasslands was found in G. soja as k=0.713 and that of the forests was in Salix koreensis as k=0.319. The Z values of k in the grasslands was higher than that in the forests. The shortest half-time of the litter decay in the grasslands was 0.9 years in G. soja and the longest one of the forests was S. koreensis as 2.1 years and the longest of all was Q. mongolica as 5.2 years. In the amount of total nitrogen of litters, G. soja was the highest of the grasslands and S. koreensis was the highest of the forest. The content of the total nitrogen in litters was directly propotional to the decay rates.