• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.103-134
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• 1977

The physiological and biochemical role of potassium for upland crops according to recent research reports and the nutritional status of potassium in Korea were reviewed. Since physical and chemical characteristics of potassium ion are different from those of sodium, potassium can not completely be replaced by sodium and replacement must be limited to minimum possible functional area. Specific roles of potassium seem to keep fine structure of biological membranes such as thylacoid membrane of chloroplast in the most efficient form and to be allosteric effector and conformation controller of various enzymes principally in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Potassium is essential to improve the efficiency of phoro- and oxidative- phosphorylation and involve deeply in all energy required metabolisms especially synthesis of organic matter and their translocation. Potassium has many important, physiological functions such as maintenance of osmotic pressure and optimum hydration of cell colloids, consequently uptake and translocation of water resulting in higher water use efficiency and of better subcellular environment for various physiological and biochemical activities. Potassium affects uptake and translocation of mineral nutrients and quality of products. potassium itself in products may become a quality criteria due to potassium essentiality for human beings. Potassium uptake is greatly decreased by low temperature and controlled by unknown feed back mechanism of potassium in plants. Thus the luxury absorption should be reconsidered. Total potassium content of upland soil in Korea is about 3% but the exchangeable one is about 0.3 me/100g soil. All upland crops require much potassium probably due to freezing and cold weather and also due to wet damage and drought caused by uneven rainfall pattern. In barley, potassium should be high at just before freezing and just after thawing and move into grain from heading for higher yield. Use efficiency of potassium was 27% for barley and 58% in old uplands, 46% in newly opened hilly lands for soybean. Soybean plant showed potassium deficiency symptom in various fields especially in newly opened hilly lands. Potassium criteria for normal growth appear 2% $K_2O$ and 1.0 K/(Ca+Mg) (content ratio) at flower bud initiation stage for soybean. Potassium requirement in plant was high in carrot, egg plant, chinese cabbage, red pepper, raddish and tomato. Potassium content in leaves was significantly correlated with yield in chinese cabbage. Sweet potato. greatly absorbed potassium subsequently affected potassium nutrition of the following crop. In the case of potassium deficiency, root showed the greatest difference in potassium content from that of normal indicating that deficiency damages root first. Potatoes and corn showed much higher potassium content in comparison with calcium and magnesium. Forage crops from ranges showed relatively high potassium content which was significantly and positively correlated with nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium content. Percentage of orchards (apple, pear, peach, grape, and orange) insufficient in potassium ranged from 16 to 25. The leaves and soils from the good apple and pear orchards showed higher potassium content than those from the poor ones. Critical ratio of $K_2O/(CaO+MgO)$ in mulberry leaves to escape from winter death of branch tip was 0.95. In the multiple croping system, exchangeable potassium in soils after one crop was affected by the previous crops and potassium uptake seemed to be related with soil organic matter providing soil moisture and aeration. Thus, the long term and quantitative investigation of various forms of potassium including total one are needed in relation to soil, weather and croping system. Potassium uptake and efficiency may be increased by topdressing, deep placement, slow-releasing or granular fertilizer application with the consideration of rainfall pattern. In all researches for nutritional explanation including potassium of crop yield reasonable and practicable nutritional indices will most easily be obtained through multifactor analysis.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.339-343
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• 2012

This study was performed to examine the effect of the clay mineral illite on the improvement of soil and plant growth. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was used as a test vegetable crop. The experiment was performed during six weeks in the plantation of the Chungbuk National University. Its seedlings were cultivated in the soil normally used for horticultural purpose. Among the seedlings germinated the healthy and regular size of seed were selected and cultivated in the plantation. They were treated with two forms of illite, particulate (PA) and powder (PW), at the following application rates: standard application[P1 (PA1, PW1), soil: illite = 1:20 (w/w)] and two times [P2 (PA2, PW2), 1:10 (w/w)] of standard application. Untreatment (P0) was used as a control soil. At six weeks of cultivation, their growth lengths were correspondingly increased as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2. Their growth length was a little greater with the application of powder illite (PW) than with the particulate illite (PA). Based on the plant analysis of root, leaf, and stem of red pepper, the uptake amounts of K, Ca, and Mg, were correspondingly increased, as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, and P2 respectively. At the same application rate, their amounts taken up in the respective parts were higher with the application of PW illite than on the PA one. Especially the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the stem and leaf than root. Consequently, it appears that the illite treatment, especially, PW form of illite, enhance the growth of red pepper in the plantation during the six weeks of experiment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2017

BACKGROUND: Rabbiteye blueberry(Vaccinium ashei Reade) has low nutrient uptake efficiency due to its shallow and fibrous root system without root hairs. This study was carried out to establish an efficient nutrient application standard by investigating the effect of nitrogen fertigation on the growth and fruit characteristics of rabbiteye blueberry. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry was treated with 0, 50, 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation of recommended fertilizer application (6, 9 and 14 g/bush in the first, second and third years, respectively). The results showed that leaf nitrogen content significantly correlated with the fruit weight and fruit yield. However, canopy area, dry weight, sugar and anthocyanin contents did not correlate significantly with the leaf nitrogen content. The leaf and stem dry weights of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of planting were the highest with 50% nitrogen fertigation (leaf dry weight=723.7 g/bush; stem dry weight=890.7 g/bush). Maximum fruit yield of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry (12.9 kg/bush) was observed during the third year of planting with 50% nitrogen fertigation and this was about 70% greater than the treatment that received no nitrogen fertigation. The fruit yields of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of planting treated with 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation were 11.0 and 11.5 kg/bush, and these were 17 and 12%lower than the 50% nitrogen fertigation treatment, respectively. Further, the efficiency of nitrogen utilization was the highest (90%) with 50% nitrogen fertigation and lowest (18%) with 200% nitrogen fertigation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that fertigation with 50% of the recommended fertilizer could be most effective for enhancing the growth and nitrogen use efficiency of rabbiteye blueberry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2014

Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) were selected for RDX removal experiments in hydroponic culture conditions based on vegetation survey at three shooting ranges in northern Kyunggi province. Seedling of two plants were grown in 1/4 strength Hoagland solution in quadruplicates containing 10, 20, 30, 40 mg/L RDX for 15 days along with control and blank treatments. During the 15 days of incubation, pH and RDX concentration in medium were routinely analyzed and RDX contents in the shoot and the root were determined after solvent extraction at the end of the experiments. Both plant species showed no symptoms of RDX phyto-toxicity. The pseudo first order RDX-removal constants for amur silver grass and reed canary grass were in the range of $0.0143{\sim}0.0484day^{-1}$ and $0.0971{\sim}0.1853^{-1}$, respectively. Plant biomass normalized RDX removal rates, which decreased with the increase of initial RDX concentration, were in the range of $0.27{\sim}1.01mL{\cdot}g^{-1}day^{-1}$ and $0.87{\sim}1.66mL{\cdot}g^{-1}day^{-1}$ for amur silver grass and reed canary grass, respectively. After 15 days of treatment, RDX removal from the medium decreased from 49.0% to 23.7% with increase in the initial RDX concentration in amur silver grass and 7.3% of the initial RDX remained in the plant. In reed canary grass planted medium, less than 16.8% and 5% of the initial RDX remained in the medium and in the plant, respectively. Large quantities of unidentified polar compound, which was not detected in amur silver grass, accumulated in the root and shoot of reed silver grass.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.171-181
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• 1997

A mixed solution of $^{54}Mn$, $^{60}Co$, $^{85}Sr$ and $^{137}Cs$ was applied to the soil of culture boxes in a greenhouse 2 days before transplanting red pepper and at 3 different times during its growth for investigating transfer factors ($m^2/kg-dry$) for its green and red fruits. Transfer factors varied with radionuclide, application time and harvest time by factors of about $20{\sim}100$. They decreased mostly in the order of $^{85}Sr>^{54}Min>^{60}Co>^{137}Cs$ while $^{54}Mn$ and $^{60}Co$ was higher than $^{85}Sr$ when time lapse between application and harvest was short. Transfer factors of $^{85}Sr$ and $^{137}Cs$ at the last application were lower than those at the previous one by factors of $3{\sim}20$ depending on harvest time. Variations in $^{54}Mn$ and $^{60}Co$ transfer factors with application time after transplanting were comparatively low. Transfer factors of $^{54}Mn$, $^{60}Co$ and $^{85}Sr$ mixed with topsoil before transplanting were up to $3{\sim}9$ times higher than those for the application onto soil surface 2 days after transplanting while there was no difference in $^{137}Cs$. The present results can be referred to in estimating root-uptake concentrations of the radionuclides in red pepper fruit and taking proper measures for its harvest and consumption at the event of an accidental release during the growing season of red pepper.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.852-857
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• 2010

This study was performed to explore the effect of the clay mineral illite on the improvement of bed soil and plant growth. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was used as a model vegetable crop. The experiment was performed during the whole six weeks in the glass house of the Chungbuk National University. Its seedlings were cultivated in the bed soil normally used for horticultural purpose. Of the seedlings cultured, the healthy and regular size of seed were selected and cultivated in the pots. They were treated with two forms of illite, particulate (PA) and powder (PW), at the following application rates: standard application[P1 (PA1, PW1), 1:20 (w/w)], two times[P2 (PA2, PW2), 1:10 (w/w)], and four times[P4 (PA4, PW4), 1:5 (w/w)] of standard application. Untreatment (P0) was used as a control pot. At six weeks of cultivation, their growth lengths were correspondingly increased as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, P2, and to P4. Their growth length was a little greater on the application of powder illite (PW) than on the particulate illite (PA). Based on the plant analysis for the root, leaf, stem of red pepper, the uptake amounts of K, Ca, and Mg, were correspondingly increased, as the application rate was increased ranging from P0, P1, P2, and to P4, respectively. At the same application rate, their amounts taken up in the respective parts were higher on the application of PW illite than on the PA one. Especially the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the stem, leaf than root. Consequently, it appears that the illite treatment, especially, PW form of illite, enhance the growth of red pepper in the glass house during the whole six weeks of experiment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2024

This study was performed to determine the effects of Four seedling age classes ageon the characteristics of growth and nutrient uptake in Chamaecyparis obtusa container seedlings. Seedlings (1-1, 2-0, 2-1, and 2-2 seedlings) of C. obtusa grown in containers were harvested to measure specific leaf area, height (H)/root collar diameter (D) ratio, dry mass of aboveground (T)/root dry mass (R) ratio, and seedling quality index of seedlings. The specific leaf area was highest in 1-0 seedlings (30.48 cm² g^-1), whereas it decreased (from 28.62 cm² g^-1 to 23.59 cm² g^-1) with increasing seedling age. The H/D ratio increased with increasing seedling age (from 4.41 in 1-0 seedlings to 8.35 in 2-2 seedlings). The T/R ratio decreased as the seedling age increased (from 4.29 in the 1-0 seedling to 2.13 in the 2-1 seedling). The seedling quality index increased with increasing seedling age (from 0.10 for the 1-0 seedling to 3.06 for the 2-2 seedling). The carbon concentrations of seedling components (leaf, branches, stem, and roots) did not differ significantly with seedling age, whereas the nitrogen concentration of seedling components was the lowest in 2-1 seedlings, as no fertilizer was applied to discourage excessive growth of the seedlings. Phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium concentrations in 2-1 seedling components were not affected by the lack of fertilizer application. These results can be applied to determine the optimum morphological characteristics and nutrient management by seedling age in container- grown C. obtusa.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2011

To investigate the effect of inorganic ($GeO_2$) and organic (Ge-132) germanium treatment on Brasica juncea C. plant, growth characteristics and Ge contents were examined with various inorganic or organic germanium treatments (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and $100mg\;L^{-1}$), respectively. Brasica juncea C. growth did not much inhibited until Ge $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments as compared to control. On the other hand, at Ge concentration higher than $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration, Brasica juncea C. growth was inhibited under both Ge-132 and $GeO_2$ treatments. Under treatment of $GeO_2$, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $5mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Under treatment of Ge-132, length of root and shoot slightly increased until $10mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration and dry weight slightly increased until $25mg\;L^{-1}$ concentration. Total Ge contents in Brasica juncea C. early seedlings with $GeO_2$ treatment were a bit higher than those with Ge-132 treatment. Germanium was primarily accumulated in the roots (77%) with organic Ge (Ge-132) treatments, whereas Ge was primarily accumulated in the leaf (70%, respectively) with $GeO_2$ treatments. The Ge uptake rates in inorganic Ge treatments were slightly high than those in organic Ge treatments. Under inorganic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 3% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 84.8% and 15.2%, respectively. Under organic Ge treatment with $2.5mg\;L^{-1}$, about 2.6% of Ge was accumulated into plant and distribution in leaf and root was 66.4% and 33.6%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 1988

A pot experiment was conducted to find out the effects of application of slacked lime and fused super-phosphate on the lead uptake of upland crops in a lead added soil. Lead concentration of the soils were adjusted to 0, 150, 300mg/kg respectively. The slacked lime was applied at the equivalent amount of lime requirement with extra 150kg/10a, and 2 times for the fused superphosphate. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Lead contents in crops increased in the order: sesame > maize > potato > sweet potato > soybean > green perilla > peanut > red bean. 2. Lead contents in parts of crops were increased in the order; root > stem > leaf > grain. 3. Increasing lead concentration in soils, lead content in the plant was increased and crops yield were decreased. 4. Lead contents in soybean and green perlilla were decreased in slacked lime application treatment. 5. The lead contents in leaf and grain of soybean and green perllila decreased with decreasing in the ratio of Pb/Ca+Mg equivalent in soil. 6. Grain yield were increased in slacked lime, but were decreased in fused superphosphate application treatment. 7. With increasing the soil Pb contents, calcium and phosphate contents were increased in leaf and stem, but calcium was decreased in roots. 8. $1N-NH_4$ OAC soluble Pb contents in soil were 26-50 ppm and 42-70 ppm, respectively, for 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg lead treatments. 9. The soil pH was increased in the order of slacked lime, fused superphosphate and nontreatment.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.328-332
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of high concentrations of salts in soil on the growth, yield, quality, photosynthetic rate, and mineral uptake of tomato ('House Momotaro') in pot cultivation. The growth of tomato such as plant height, top plant weight and root weight decreased as the concentrations of salts in soils increased. Yield decreased by 31% and 41% in EC 5.0 and $7.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$, respectively compared with the salt concentration of EC $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Yield reduction was caused by low mean weight and number of fruit if at high salt concentration in soil, and affected by low photosynthetic rate and water potential in leaf, The rate of blossom-end rot was highest (16.7%) in EC $7.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ and increased as the concentrations of salts in soils increased. The contents of soluble solids and titratable acids showed a tendency to increase with increasing the concentrations of salts in soils. Photosynthetic rate, water potential and stomatal conductance in leaf decreased as the salt concentration in soil increased. The higher the salt concentration in soil, the lower the mineral uptake such as T-N, P, K, Ca and Mg but, the higher the content of Na.