• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-349
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• 2010

Rapid on-site sensing of nitrate-nitrogen and potassium ions in hydroponic solution would increase the efficiency of nutrient use for greenhouse crops cultivated in closed hydroponic systems while reducing the potential for environmental pollution in water and soil. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are a promising approach because of their small size, rapid response, and the ability to directly measure the analyte. The capabilities of the ISEs for sensing nitrate and potassium in hydroponic solution can be affected by the presence of other ions such as calcium, magnesium, sulfate, sodium, and chloride in the solution itself. This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of two ISEs consisting of TDDA-NPOE and valinomycin-DOS PVC membranes for quantitative determinations of $NO_3$-N and K in hydroponic solution. Nine hydroponic solutions were prepared by diluting highly concentrated paprika hydroponic solution to provide a concentration range of 3 to 400 mg/L for $NO_3$-N and K. Two of the calibration curves relating membrane response and nutrient concentration provided coefficients of determination ($R^2$) > 0.98 and standard errors of calibration (SEC) of < 3.79 mV. The use of the direct potentiometry method, in conjunction with an one-point EMF compensation technique, was feasible for measuring $NO_3$-N and K in paprika hydroponic solution due to almost 1:1 relationships and high coefficients of determination ($R^2$ > 0.97) between the levels of $NO_3$-N and K obtained with the ion-selective electrodes and standard instruments. However, even though there were strong linear relationships ($R^2$ > 0.94) between the $NO_3$-N and K concentrations determined by the Gran's plot-based multiple standard addition method and by standard instruments, hydroponic $NO_3$-N concentrations measured with the ISEs, on average, were about 10% higher than those obtained with the automated analyzer whereas the K ISE predicted about 59% lower K than did the ICP spectrometer, probably due to no compensation for a difference between actual and expected concentrations of standard solutions directly prepared.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2013

One of the most important challenges facing the Spirulina mass cultivation industry is to find a way to reduce the high production costs involved in production. Although the most commercial medium (Zarrouk's medium) for Spirulina cultivation is too expensive to use, it contains higher amount of $NaHCO_3$ (16.80 g $L^{-1}$), trace metals and vitamin solutions. The purpose of this study was to increase the efficiency of Spirulina platensis biomass production by developing a low-cost culture medium at an isolated tropical island such as Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This study set out to formulate a lowcost medium for the culture of S. platensis, by substituting nutrients of Zarrouk's medium using fertilizer- grade urea and soil extract with a different concentration of carbon source under natural weather condition. In order to select a low-cost culture medium of S. platensis, 10 culture media were prepared with different concentrations of nitrogen (urea and $NaNO_3$) and $NaHCO_3$. The highest maximum specific growth rate (${\mu}max$) and mass production were 0.50 $day^{-1}$ and 1.05 g $L^{-1}$ in modified medium ($NaHCO_3$ 7.50 g $L^{-1}$, urea 2.00 g $L^{-1}$ without $NaNO_3$) among all the synthesized media. Protein (56.14%) and carbohydrate (16.21%) concentrations of the lyophilized standard samples were estimated with highest concentration of glutamic acid (14.93%). This study revealed that the use of a low concentration of urea and $NaHCO_3$ with soil extract was an affordable medium for natural mass cultivation in the FSM.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2002

In this study, the effects of alfalfa hay included in different ratios of 60%(A), 50%(B), 40%(C) and 30%(D) for the diets of young weaned Korean native goats were investigated on feed intake, digestibilities of nutrients, nitrogen retention, average daily gain and feed efficiency. Crude protein contents of experimental diets were 18% in all treatments. The contents of ADF, NDF and crude ash were higher in A as 26.1, 37.0 and 9.0% compared to the lowest values in D of 20.3, 30.4 and 6.6%. However the contents of non-structural carbohydrates was in the opposite tendency. Daily feed intake (DM) was highest in A (414.4g) and B (417.7g) and significantly (p<0.05) lower in D(362.6g). Dry matter intake per metabolic basal weight (DM g/kg of $BW^{0.75}$ ) were highest in A(73.9g) and lowest in D(64.0g). Average daily gain and feed efficiencies were in the range of 33.3~48.7g and 8.1~13.4% respectively with no statistical differences, however with the increasing trends according to higher percent of roughage in the diets. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ADF, NBF, crude ash (CA) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) were in the tendency of becoming higher according to higher ratios of concentrate but becoming lower according to higher ratio of alfalfa hay in the diets fed to Korean native goats. Nitrogen retention was lowest in A (1.8g, 15.5%) and highest in D (2.7g, 25.7%). In overall, inclusion of 30~40% alfalfa hay as a roughage in the diets of weaned Korean native goats was superior to the higher rates of inclusion of alfalfa hay in aspects of average daily gain and feed efficiency. The fixed 18% of crude protein content in the diets was efficient for the growth of weaned goats.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate fertigation effects of pig slurry (PS) and chemical fertilizer (CF) in cucumber by investigating the growth and yield, nutrient content and uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and soil characteristics in greenhouse cultivation. The cropping patterns of cucumber were semi-forcing culture and retarding culture, and the experiment involves four treatments: No fertilizer (NF), $26mg\;L^{-1}$ and $52mg\;L^{-1}$ of N application by slurry composting biofiltration liquefied fertilizer (SCBLF), and $52mg\;L^{-1}$ of N treatment by chemical fertilizer. The difference on the plant height of cucumber between SCBLF and CF treatments was no significant, but fresh weight and dry weight of stem and root were higher in $26mg\;L^{-1}$ SCBLF treatment. The Ca content of the leaf was lower in the treatments of SCBLF and the K content of the root was lower in the $52mg\;L^{-1}$ CF treatment. The Ca content of the stem was lowest in the $52mg\;L^{-1}$ CF treatment and the mineral content of the fruit showed no significant difference. In case of semi-forcing culture, the gross yield was lower in the $52mg\;L^{-1}$ CF treatment and the yield of unmarketable fruit was lower in the SCBLF treatments. The nutrient use efficiency of cucumber is as follows: K (8.3 ~ 30.9%), N (4.2 ~ 13.0%), P (1.9 ~ 2.0%). The SCBLF treatments showed higher figure in the soil pH than that of the CF treatment, while EC and the content of $NO_3$-N were higher in the CF treatment than the former. The content of exchangeable K was higher in the plot treated with $52mg\;L^{-1}$ SCBLF, and there were no significant differences in the content of Ca and Mg between the treatments. In conclusion, it is suggested that the application of liquefied manure made from pig slurry may be able to replace the use of chemical fertilizer in nitrogen and potassium.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.210-218
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• 2012

The morphological characteristics, carbon and nitrogen concentrations, stable isotope values and photosynthetic rates of Porphyra yezoensis were studied at the main purple lavers production areas on southwestern coast of Korea. The morphological characteristics of leaf length, leaf width and weight of Porphyra blades were between 11.6~16.3 (average 13.8) cm, 4.6~6.3 (average 5.4) cm, $1.1{\sim}2.6(average\;1.86)g\;DW\;m^{-2}$, respectively. Photosynthetic pigment of Chl a concentration of Porphyra blades was between $2.18{\sim}17.77(average\;9.65)mg\;DW\;Chl\;a\;m^{-2}$. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations of Porphyra blades was between $201{\sim}317(average\;240)mg\;DW\;g^{-1}$, $39.8{\sim}50.0(average\;43.5)mg\;DW\;g^{-1}$ and C/N ratio 5.0~6.7 (average 5.5). The range of average ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of Porphyra blades was between - 25.6 to - 24.0 (average - 24.7)‰ for ${\delta}^{13}C$, and 1.3 to 4.1 (average 2.1)‰ for ${\delta}^{15}N$. Photosynthetic characteristics of seaweeds measured by pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used as an indicator of photosynthetic activity. We use Diving-PAM fluorometry to examine photosynthetic rates of the seaweeds Porphyra yezoensis at each station. Maximum quantum yield of Porphyra blades was between 0.46~0.55 (average 0.52), the variance of the effective PS II maximum quantum yield of the station was broadly similar. Maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) of Porphyra blades was between $4.71{\sim}5.84(average\;5.33){\mu}mol\;electrons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$, the changes of maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) of Porphyra yezoensis were similar to those of PS II maximum quantum yield. Photosynthetic efficiency (${\alpha}$) was between 0.027~0.045 (average 0.036). Minimum saturating irradiance ($E_k$) range was $139{\sim}180(average\;156){\mu}mol\;photons\;m^{-2}\;s^{-1}$. Minimum saturating irradiance ($E_k$) made a difference by station within the area on southwestern coast. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations and photosynthetic rates of Porphyra blades production areas on southwestern coast were broadly similar. The photosynthetic characteristics showed low photosynthetic rates because the low maximum quantum yields and low maximum relative electron transport rate.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.829-846
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effects of organic fertilization rates on the nutrient accumulation and recovery in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as well as growth and yield of radish in Jeju island. An understanding the relationships between organic fertilization rate, crop nutrient recovery and crop yield can assist in making organic fertilizer recommendation which balances crop value and environmental risk in organic cultivation. Nitrogen (T-N), phosphate ($P_2O_5$) and potassium ($K_2O$) were applied at 0, 115-35-40, 230-70-80 (standard application rate), 460-140-160, 230-200-100 (recommended application rate) and 158-53-35 kg/ha (customary application rate), respectively as the broadcast application of mixed organic fertilizer (N 4.5% - $P_2O_5$ 1.5% - $K_2O$ 1%) in combination with langbeinite ($K_2O$ 22%), 100% at sowing period. The organic fertilizer was made of organic materials like oil cakes. Total yield of radish, as fresh weight of roots, increased with increasing organic fertilizer doses to a maximum at rate of standard or soil-testing application. Nitrogen, phosphate and potassium accumulations of radish increased curvilinearly with increasing organic fertilization rate to a maximum at rate of N 460 - $P_2O_5$ 140 - $K_2O$ 160 kg/ha. However, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium use efficiency of applied organic fertilizer decreased curvilinearly or linearly with increasing organic fertilization rate. Application of organic fertilizer in combination with langbeinite (as a potassium source) had significant effect on the yield of radish. Organic fertilization on a basis of standard or soil-testing application rate is recommended for maximun radish yield in organic cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-115
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• 2001

Nitrogen applied as fertilizer for crop production is partly absorbed by plant , and the remaining nitrogen in soil might be leached out through complicated processes to the subsoil layer Especially, NO$_3$-N in leachate causes environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was focused on understanding of uptake of nutrients by plants, the behaviors of nutrients in soil and the possibility of leaching loss when nitrogen fertilizer and completely decomposed compost were applied. Lysimeters(Volume 0.15㎥, Diameter 62cm, Height 62.8cm) were installed for collecting leachate in the Jeju volcanic ash soils. Lysimeter study consisted of thirteen treatments : fallow, fallow with weeding, cropping without fertilizer and compost, three N fertilizer soil surface applications(16, 32, 64kg/10a), three N fertilizer and compost soil surface applications(16+800, 32+1600, 64+32kg/10a), two water dissolved N fertilizer applications(16, 32kg/10a), and low and high plant densities. N fertilizer was applied as urea. The growth of com(preceding crop) and potatoes(succeeding crop) and leaching loss were determined during the experimental period. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; With Increased N, pH of leachate tended to decrease and NO$_3$-N concentration of leachate increased. NO$_3$-N leaching loss was remarkably greater in soil from the bare plot without fertilization and the weed control than from plots with medium N rate and was least in the cropping plot without fertilization. NO$_3$-N concentration in leachates from the water dissolved N fertilizer application plots was 64% of that from the soil surface application plots. The concentration of Ca and K ions and the leaching loss of these ions were least from the cropping plot without fertilization and were greatest from bare plots(T1 and T2) without fertilization. The proportion of leaching and residual N in soil increased as N rate increased indicting that higher N rates increase the possibility of N leaching to subsoil layer The proportion of N leaching losses was lower at the low N rate and the high plant density. In future, fertilization prescription which can maximize fertilizer use efficiency and minimize the pollution of ground water will be needed for conserving the environments.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

This study aimed to develop an alternative organic fertilizer to castor oil cake-based fertilizers. To assess the nutrient effect of the developed fermented mixed organic fertilizers, the yield of lettuce and soil characteristics after growth were analyzed and compared to those of a trial using a mixed expeller cake fertilizer. Two fermented mixed organic fertilizers, FA and FB, each containing 5.0% nitrogen, 2.6% phosphate, and 1.4% potassium, were produced by mixing different ratios of rice bran, dried distillers grains, sesame oil meal, and fish meal. This study was conducted with six trials: untreated, mixed expeller cake fertilizer, and the fermented mixed organic fertilizers FA and FB. Based on the amount of nitrogen fertilization (70 kg ha^-1) on the lettuce, the fermented mixed organic fertilizers FA and FB were applied at 100% and 150%, respectively, and the mixed oil cake was applied at 100%. As the amount of treatment increased, there was no significant difference except the number of leaves in FA treatment. The yields from the FA100 and FB100 treatments were 38.2 and 40.8 Mg ha^-1, respectively, which was not significantly different from that of the mixed expeller cake fertilizer treatment at 38.3 Mg ha^-1. In addition, the nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency of the lettuce were not significantly different between mixed expeller cake fertilizer and fermented mixed organic fertilizer treatments. Analysis of the chemical properties of the soil after the trial showed that he mixed expeller cake fertilizer treatment showed the lowest pH. There were no significant differences in electrical conductivity, content of soil organic matter, available phosphate, and exchangeable cation among the fertilizer treatments. However, the bacterial and actinomyces density was higher in the soil from the fertilizer trials than in the non-fertilizer trials. These results indicated that the two tested fermented mixed organic fertilizers had nourishing effects and soil characteristics that were similar to those of the mixed expeller cake fertilizer. Thus, farmers can use these fermented mixed organic fertilizers as alternatives to castor oil cakes for the cultivation of organic lettuce.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2020

This study analyzes the effects of mixed fermented organic fertilizer on chinese cabbage growth and soil properties in order to investigate the nutritional effects of organic fertilizers, which are developed as an alternative fertilizer for imported castor oil cake. In this study, four treatments were set up: 100% and 200% rate of nitrogen application (320 kg ha-1 for Chinese cabbage) on mixed fermented organic fertilizer A(FA) and mixed fermented organic fertilizer B(FB), respectively, 100% rates of the mixed expeller cake (MEC) fertilizer, and the untreated control. Results revealed that the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage increased as more fermented organic fertilizer was used. However, while there were no significant differences in growth characteristics between treatments of 100% rate of mixed fermented organic fertilizer and 100% rate of MEC, the impacts on yields resulted similar. The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Chinese cabbage was measured a range of 20-31% depending on the response to treatment. The 100% FA showed the same as NUE and nitrogen absorption with 100% rate of MEC. Regarding soil properties after cultivation, there were no significant differences among the effects of fertilizers in pH, EC, soil organic matter, and available phosphate. However, the content of exchangeable cations(K, Ca, Mg) was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas. Furthermore, the bacterial population density in the soil was higher in areas treated with mixed fermented organic fertilizer than in untreated areas and increased as more mixed fermented organic fertilizer was used. There were no significant differences in the population density of actinomycetes and fungi when fertilizer was applied to the soil. These results also show that FA, as a alternative organic fertilizer for imported castor oil cake, has similar nutritional effects as that of MEC. Therefore, further research the appropriate amounts of fertilizer is required to achieve economical and eco-friendly nutrient management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.609-615
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• 2011

Forsythia saxatilis is a Korean endemic plant designated as rare and endangered by the Korea Forest Service (KFS). Growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis were investigated under two different light intensities in order to figure out an appropriate growth environment for conservation and restoration of the species in its natural habitat. Shoot length, leaf size and weight, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameters were measured for F. saxatilis grown at two experimental plots under relative light intensities (RLI) of 20% and 60% of the full sun, respectively. Fresh leaf weight of plants grown under high relative light intensities (RLI-60) exceeded that of plants grown at 20% RLI. The ratio of fresh leaf weight to leaf size at RLI-60 was 1.47 times superior comparing to that recorded at RLI-20. The content of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were higher in plants grown at RLI-60, whereas the ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoid content was higher in the leaves at RLI-20. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate at RLI-60 were, respectively, 2.5, 2.65 and 1.79 times higher comparing to those recorded at RLI-20. Water use efficiency, however, was higher at RLI-20. The chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio was 1.83 times higher at RLI-20 than at RLI-60. In contrast, the ratio of net photosynthesis to chlorophyll content at RLI-60 was 2.58 times higher than that of RLI-20. In conclusion, light intensity might be the major factor affecting growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis grown under canopy of tall tree species.