• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ground cover treatments on the nutrient contribution in a 'Niitaka' pear ($Pyrus$ $pyriforia$) orchard. Treatments included; 1) sod culture, 2) winter cover crop [ryegrass+hairy vetch], and 3) winter [ryegrass+hairy vetch]+summer [greensolgo (sudan grass ($Sorghum$ $bicolor$ L.))+ nemajanghwang (crotalaria ($Crotalaria$ $juncea$ L.)] cover crops. Ryegrass and hairyvetch were seeded with 6.4 kg/10a and 3.0 kg/10a, respectively, on October 17 of 2008, and greensolgo and nemajanghwang were seeded with 2.0 kg/10a and 3.0 kg/10a, respectively, on June 4 of 2009 at a diligent farmer in Boseong in Chonnam. Winter+summer cover crops provided greater amounts of dry weight, followed by winter cover crop and sod culture. The difference of amounts of dry weight from the ground covers affected to the levels of total N, P, and K contents, which were greater nutrient levels than those of recommended nutrient requirement for satisfying 10- to 12-year-old pear tree growth. Greater amounts of dry weight from the ground covers increased organic matter and concentrations of K and Mg in soil. Foliar nutrient concentrations, as an indicator of nutrient status of a tree, were not affected by application of ground cover treatments.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2010

The study was established to compare fruit qualities and antioxidant compounds in 'Niitaka' pear (Pyrus pyriforia) trees grown in the organic and conventional farming systems. Fruits in the organic system appeared to have dark red color on the fruit surface. Fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and stone cells were not different between the farming systems. Organic fruits had a greater potassium concentration than the conventional fruits, but phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in fruits were not different between the treatments. Peel, flesh, and juice parts in the organic fruits had greater phenolic compounds compared to the conventional fruits. Peel parts had much greater antioxidant compounds than the flesh parts, regardless of the treated-fruits. All fruits grown in the conventional and organic systems had a similar DPPH ($\alpha$, $\alpha$-diphenyl-$\beta$-picryl-hydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity in the peel, but flesh parts in organic fruits had a greater DPPH than the conventional fruits. Phenol and flavonoid compounds in the peel and flesh were positively related to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity. There were no significant differences for the nitrite scavenging activity in the peel and flesh parts between the treatments.