• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.966-975
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• 2017

Excessive salt disrupts intracellular ion homeostasis and inhibits plant growth, which poses a serious threat to global food security. Plants have adapted various strategies to survive in unfavorable saline soil conditions. Here, we show that humic acid (HA) is a good soil amendment that can be used to help overcome salinity stress because it markedly reduces the adverse effects of salinity on Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. To identify the molecular mechanisms of HA-induced salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis, we examined possible roles of a sodium influx transporter HIGH-AFFINITY $K^+$ TRANSPORTER 1 (HKT1). Salt-induced root growth inhibition in HKT1 overexpressor transgenic plants (HKT1-OX) was rescued by application of HA, but not in wild-type and other plants. Moreover, salt-induced degradation of HKT1 protein was blocked by HA treatment. In addition, the application of HA to HKT1-OX seedlings led to increased distribution of $Na^+$ in roots up to the elongation zone and caused the reabsorption of $Na^+$ by xylem and parenchyma cells. Both the influx of the secondary messenger calcium and its cytosolic release appear to function in the destabilization of HKT1 protein under salt stress. Taken together, these results suggest that HA could be applied to the field to enhance plant growth and salt stress tolerance via post-transcriptional control of the HKT1 transporter gene under saline conditions.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.365-372
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• 2006

A dynamic compartment model is presented to predict the contamination level of agricultural plant by $^{137}C_s$ as a result of a soil deposition. The model considered the processes of a percolation, soil mixing by a plowing before transplanting, plant uptake, leaching to a deep soil, and fixation to a clay mineral. The effects of the soil properties (pH, clay mineral, organic matter content, and exchangeable K), which are spatially varied, on a plant uptake and the leaching rates of $^{137}C_s$ in a root zone soil were modeled by the Absalom model. To test the validity of the model, the $^{137}C_s$ aggregated transfer factors(TFa) for rice plants were compared with those observed from some simulated $^{137}C_s$ soil deposition experiments, which were carried out with respect to rice plants cultivated in seventeen paddy soils of different properties for two consecutive years. Observed $^{137}C_s$ TFa values of the rice plants did not show an evident trend for the pH and clay content of the soil properties, while they increased with an increasing organic matter content or a decreasing exchangeable K concentration. Predicted $^{137}C_s$ TFa values of the rice plants were found to be comparable with those observed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2001

The in vitro plantlets of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz cv. MColl 22) could be regenerated from nodal explant cultures in a liquid MS basal medium containing 0.01 mg/L zeatin for 2 weeks. The plantlets of 1.5∼2.5 cm in shoot length were transplanted to a glass bottle containing fine sand and acclimated under non-sterile conditions after excising their intact roots by: 1) prune leaving roots base of 1∼1.5 cm; 2) complete removal of roots; and 3) cutting off the rooting zone. The majority of in vitro-formed intact roots continued growth after transferred to soil, and all of the damaged roots stopped further growth. The plantlets with excised roots began to develop new roots within 7∼10 days after being transferred to a glass bottle, and a few of the pruned roots developed lateral roots from the remaining portion. Pruning and removal of in vitro roots resulted in a high survival rate (>87%), and did not significantly affect ex vitro root regeneration and acclimation, but the plantlets in which the rooting zone had been cut-off showed 73% survival rate. Pruning or removal of in vitro roots before transfer of plantlets is recommended for useful method of commercial micropropagation because of easier handling and high survival rate of plantlets.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2000

Long term cultivation crops like tomato, capsicum, melon etc. demand much amount of continuous supplying of nutrition during the whole growing periods. It is not easy to cover satisfactorily the nutritional demands for them by splitted top dressings, slow release fertilizer applications and fertigation systems. To overcome these problems, the "CULTAN" (Controlled Uptake Long Term Ammonium Nutrition) Beaker Deposit techniques have been developed and it was put into PVC beaker with the combined nitrogen fertilizer type mixed with the ratio of one-third of ammonium sulfate-N and two-thirds of urea-N, in which nitrogen was loaded on the demanding amount of a tomato plant during the growing period. Gypsum was mixed as a binder, and loamy soil and compost were used as a diffusion regulator. It was placed upside down into root zone of tomato at the transplanting. Tomato roots were spreaded into the Deposit beaker by ammonium ions which attract root growth. The tomato fruit yield and nitrogen uptake by plant were increased by application of $NH_4$-Beaker deposit fertilizer rather than those of common fertilizer treatment. In conclusion, it was able to improve economic and ecological benefits through CULTAN system compared with common fertilization systems. CULTAN system was estimated as a prospective alternative to enhance productivity and minimize nutrient lose. In addition, it shows further developing possibility of CULTAN system by the supplement of micro-nutrients and pesticides in the macro-nutrient beaker deposits.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.418-423
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• 2017

In hydroponics, the nutrient solution is supplied considering the water and nutrient uptake characteristics of crops. However, as the ionic uptake characteristics are changed as a result of the weather conditions or the growth response of the crops, the root zone can not be maintained in optimal condition. In addition, the coir substrate has been used mainly for the tomato cultivation in place of the inorganic substrate, there are few studies on long-term cultivation using coir substrate. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of EC level of irrigation solution on tomato growth and inorganic ions of root zone in soilless culture using coir. Coir substrate mixed with 5 : 5 chip and dust was used. EC level of irrigation solution was 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and $3.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. At the initial stage, $NO_3-N$, P, Ca and Mg in the drainage were lower than the irrigation level at 1.0 and $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. However, EC $2.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ or higher, all the ions except P were highly concentrated in the drainage. The average fruit weight was not significantly different between 1.0 and $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ until 3th cluster, but from the next cluster, the higher the EC level, the smaller the weight. The number of fruit and yield to 6th cluster was the highest at $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. From the next cluster, The yield was decreased with the higher EC level. At the early stage of growth, BER occurred only in EC $3.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, but increased in all treatments with increasing irradiation. The incidence rate of EC $3.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ was higher than that of the lower EC level treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) on the growth and physiological responses of Pinus strobus and the variables that are sensitive to $CaCl_2$. Thus, changes in the visible damage, growth of root collar diameter, plant water content, chlorophyll content and composition, maximum PS II photochemical efficiency, and electron transport rate of P. strobus was analyzed in relation to treatment witih $CaCl_2$. A $CaCl_2$ solution(0.5, 1.0 and 3.0%) was applied in the root zone before leaf unfolding. Leaf browning, defoliation, and drying were observed with $CaCl_2$ application and this pattern was aggravated as the $CaCl_2$ concentration increased and the treatment period became longer. The decrease of growth in root collar diameter and height and leaf water content were observed at $CaCl_2$ 1.0% and 3.0%. The total chlorophyll content indicated that photopigment, PS II photochemical efficiency and electron transport rate significantly decreased at $CaCl_2$ 3.0%. In conclusion, $CaCl_2$ affected leaf water content and led to a decrease of capability in light harvesting and photochemical responses. Also, as a result of the correlation between calcium chloride concentration and growth and physiological response parameters, it was found that the leaf moisture content and the ratio of chlorophyll a and b reflect the damage level of calcium chloride sensitively because their coefficient of determinations were relatively high.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2004

This study was aimed to assess the effects of microclimate factors on lettuce chlorophyll fluorescent responses and to develop an environment control system for plant growth by adopting a simple genetic algorithm. The photosynthetic responses measurements were repeated by changing one factor among six climatic factors at a time. The maximum Fv'/Fm' resulted when the ambient temperature was $21^{\circ}C,\;CO_2$ concentration range of 1,200 to 1,400 ppm, relative humidity of $68\%$, air current speed of $1.4m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and the temperature of nutrient solution of $20^{\circ}C$. In PPF greater than $140{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, Fv'/Fm' values were decreased. To estimate the effects of combined microclimate factors on plant growth, a photosynthesis efficiency model was developed using principle component analysis for six microclimate factors. Predicted Fv'/Fm' values showed a good agreement to measured ones with an average error of $2.5\%$. In this study, a simple genetic algorithm was applied to the photosynthesis efficiency model for optimal environmental condition for lettuce growth. Air emperature of $22^{\circ}C$, root zone temperature of $19^{\circ}C,\;CO_2$ concentration of 1,400 ppm, air current speed of $1.0m{\cdot}s^{-1}$, PPF of $430{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and relative humidity of $65\%$ were obtained. It is feasible to control plant environment optimally in response to microclimate changes by using photosynthesis efficiency model combined with genetic algorithm.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.20-20
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2017

Plant genomes include heterochromatic loci that consist of repetitive sequences and transposable elements. LTR retrotransposon is the major class of transposons in advanced plants in terms of proportion in plant genome. The elements contribute not only to genome size but also to genome stability and gene expression. A number of cases have been reported transposon insertions near genic regions affect crop traits such as fruit pigments, stress tolerance, and yields. Functional LTR retrotransposons produce extrachromosomal DNA from genomic RNA by reverse transcription that takes place within virus-like-particles (VLPs). DECREASED DNA METHYLATION 1 (DDM1) plays important roles in maintaining DNA methylation of heterochromatin affecting all sequence contexts, CG, CHG, and CHH. Previous studies showed that ddm1 mutant exhibits massive transcription of retrotransposons in Arabidopsis, but only few of them were able to create new insertions into the genome. RNA-dependent RNA POLYMERASE 6 (RDR6) is known to function in restricting accumulation of transposon RNA by processing the transcripts into 21-22 nt epigenetically activated small interfering RNA (easiRNA). We purified VLPs and sequence cDNA to identify functional LTR retrotransposons in Arabidopsis ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 plants. Over 20 LTR copia and gypsy families were detected in ddm1 and ddm1rdr6 sequencing libraries and most of them were not reported for mobility. In ddm1rdr6, short fragments of ATHILA gypsy elements were detected. It suggests easiRNAs might regulate reverse transcription steps. The highest enriched element among transposon loci was previously characterized EVADE element. It has been reported that active EVADE element is more efficiently silenced through female germline than male germline. By genetic analyses, we found ddm1 and rdr6 mutation affect maternal silencing of active EVADE elements. DDM1-GFP protein accumulated in megaspore mother cell but was not found in mature egg cell. The fusion protein was also found in early embryo and maternal DDM1-GFP allele was more dominantly expressed in the embryo. We observed localization of DDM1-GFP in Arabidopsis and DDM1-YFP in maize and found the proteins accumulated in dividing zone of root tips. Currently we are looking at cell cycle dependency of DDM1 expression using maize system. Among 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis, AGO9 is specifically expressed in egg cell and shoot meristematic cells. In addition, mutation of AGO9 and RDR6 caused failure in maternal silencing, implying 21-22 nt easiRNA pathway is important for retrotransposon silencing in female gametophyte or/and early embryo. On the other hand, canonical 24 nt sRNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathways did not contribute to maternal silencing as confirmed by this study. Heat-activated LTR retrotransposon, ONSEN, was not silenced by DDM1 but the silencing mechanisms require RdDM pathways in somatic cells. We will propose distinct mechanisms of LTR retrotransposons in germline and somatic stages.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2013

Phytophthora capsici is one of major limiting factors in production of pepper and other important crops worldwide by causing foliage blight and rot on fruit and root. Increased demand for the replacement of fungicides has led to searching a promising strategy to control the fungal diseases. To meet eco-friendly agriculture practice, we isolated microorganisms and assessed their beneficial effects on plant health and disease control efficacy. A total of 360 bacterial strains were isolated from rhizosphere soil of healthy pepper plants, and categorized to 5 representative isolates based on colony morphology. Among the 5 bacterial strains (GJ-1, GJ-4, GJ-5, GJ-11, GJ-12), three bacterial strains (GJ-1, GJ-11, GJ-12) presented antifungal activity against P. capsici in an fungal inhibition assay. In phosphate solubilization and siderophore production, the strain GJ-1 was more effective than others. The strain GJ-1 was identified as Bacillus sp. using 16S rDNA analysis. Bacillus sp. GJ-1 was also found to be effective in inhibiting other plant pathogenic fungi, including Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium solani. Therefore, the Bacillus sp. GJ-1 can serve as a biological control agent against fungal plant pathogens.