• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2002

Root distribution was monitored in the root zone of corn fields on several soil series in central Illinois during three growing seasons in order to find the effect of soil series and tillage system on root growth. A minirhizotron technique was used to videotape each soil profile in weekly intervals to a depth of 75 cm under conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) systems of cultivation. Root distribution near soil surface generally increased during the early stages of the growing season, but declined as surface soil moisture was depleted in late summer. Even though root distribution was not significantly different between soil series in this experiment. differences in root distribution between soil series were associated with the increases in root-available water storage capacity. Root population in the top 30 cm of NT plots. where increased water infiltration rates and saturated flow of soil moisture into the subsoil, was generally higher than that of CT plots in Illinois corn fields. Foots appeared in the deeper layers later in the growing season, with root penetration into subsoil layers occurring as much as 2-3 weeks earlier on the NT plots than in CT plots. In conclusion, root distribution was significantly affected by the tillage systems, but not different by soil series.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.197-206
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• 2002

Volumetric soil water contents through a soil profile were monitored to identify the effects of tillage systems and soil physico-chemical characteristic on soil water movement from the soil profile. Water content profiles under no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) practices were compared at two commercial farms in central Illinois from 1992 through 1994, using neutron-scattering techniques in weekly intervals during each growing season. The volumetric water content of surface soil layers was affected more by tillage systems and rainfall amounts, whereas that of the subsoil layers was more strongly affected by soil types. Soil water percolated faster through Saybrook and Catlin soils than through Drummer, Flanagan, and Ipava soils because Saybrook and Catlin soils have lower clay content and water-retention capacity and higher permeability than Drummer, Flanagan, and Ipava soils. Increased soil organic matter (SOM) in Drummer, Flanagan, and Ipava soils would be attributable to the higher soil water retention than other soil types. Soil water contents in the corn root zone were consistently higher under CT plots than under NT plots.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.53-61
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• 2022

This study evaluated the impacts of subsurface drainage design, i.e., spacing and depth, on agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability in two tile-drained fields (Sites A and E) under a corn-soybean rotation in the Midwestern United States. A calibrated and validated Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) was used to simulate Nitrate-N (nitrogen) losses to tile drainage and crop yields of 30 tile spacing and depth scenarios over 24 years (1992-2015). Our results presented that the narrower and deeper the tile drains are placed, the greater corn yield and Nitrate-N losses, indicating that the subsurface drainage design may cause a trade-off between agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. The simulation results also presented that up to about 255.7% and 628.0% increase in Nitrate-N losses in Sites A and E, respectively, far outweigh the rate of increase in corn yield up to about 1.1% and 1.6% from the adjustment of tile spacing and depth. Meanwhile, the crop yield and Nitrate-N losses according to the tile configuration differed depending on the field, and the soybean yield presented inconsistent simulation results, unlike the corn yield, which together demonstrate the heterogeneous characteristic of agro-environmental systems to a subsurface drainage practice. This study demonstrates the applicability of agricultural systems models in exploring agro-environmental responses to subsurface drainage practices, which can help guide the introduction and installation of tile systems into farmlands, e.g., orchards and paddy fields, in our country.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2012

A new formulae for the estimation of the exposure duration in the inter-tidal zone are developed. The exposure duration is one of the most important factors influencing the habitat distribution of the benthic organisms. The formulae can estimate the exposure duration only using the four major tidal harmonic constants available in almost coastal areas. It is easier than the existing method using the frequency analysis of the hourly tidal elevation data. The estimation results by using the formulae suggested in this study are compared with the value by using the observed tidal elevation data analysis in the west coast, Korea. The mean RMS (root-mean squared) errors ranged form 0.8 to 1.4%. It can be used to simply estimate the accurate exposure duration in the region not having the longterm hourly tidal elevation data.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.409-415
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• 2022

Plant growth and development are also affected by root-zone environment. Therefore, it is important to consider the variables of the root-zone environment when establishing an irrigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the volumetric moisture content (VWC), Bulk EC (ECb), and Pore EC (ECp) used by plant roots using FDR sensors in two types of rockwool media with different water transmission characteristics, using the method above this was used to establish a method for collecting and correcting available root-zone environmental data. For the experiment, two types of rockwool medium (RW1, RW2) with different physical characteristics were used. The moisture content (MC) and ECb were measured using an FDR sensor, ECp was measured after extracting the residual nutrient solution from the medium using a disposable syringe in the center of the medium at a volumetric moisture content (VWC) of 10-100%. Then, ECb and ECp are measured by supplying nutrient solution having different concentration (distilled water, 0.5-5.0) to two types of media (RW1, RW2) in each volume water content range (0 to 100%). The relationship between ECb and ECp in RW1 and RW2 media is best suited for cubic polynomial. The relationship between ECb and ECp according to volume moisture content (VWC) range showed a large error rate in the low volume moisture content (VWC) range of 10-60%. The correlation between the sensor measured value (ECb) and the ECp used by plant roots according to the volumetric water content (VWC) range was the most suitable for the Paraboloid equation in both media (RW1, RW2). The coefficient of determination the calibration equation for RW1 and RW2 media were 0.936, 0.947, respectively.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2024

In this study, the pump and fertilize (PAF) was applied to reduce nitrogen infiltration into groundwater at three corn cultivation sites over a three-year period, and its effectiveness was evaluated. PAF involves pumping nitrate-contaminated groundwater and using it for irrigation, thereby replacing the need for chemical fertilizers. This method not only substitutes chemical fertilization, but also reduces nitrogen infiltration into groundwater through root zone consumption. To confirm PAF's effectiveness, an equal amount of nitrogen was applied in each cultivation plot, either through chemical fertilizer or irrigation with nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Regular monitoring of infiltrating pore water and groundwater was conducted in each cultivation plot. The linear regression slope for nitrate concentration in the pore water after repeated application of PAF ranged from -3.527 to -8.3485 mg-N/L/yr, confirming that PAF can reduce nitrate concentration in the pore water. With an increasing proportion of PAF, the infiltrating nitrate mass in pore water was reduced by 42% compared to plots fertilized with chemical fertilizer. Additionally, the linear regression slope of nitrate concentration in groundwater was calculated as -2.2999 and -9.2456 mg-N/L/yr. Therefore, continuous application of PAF in rural areas is expected to significantly contribute to reducing nitrate concentration in groundwater.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.340-344
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• 2005

Salinity problems are caused from the accumulation of soluble salts in the root zone. These excess salts reduce plant growth and vigor by altering water uptake and causing ion-specific toxicities or imbalances. In this investigation, green pepper cultivation technique using mixture bed of soil and rice hull and surface drop fertigation system was examined to prolong the productivity of salt-affected plastic film house soils. Green pepper growth was better in the mixture bed of soil and rice hull comparing to the conventional soil cultivation. Especially root growth was much better and the root had more thin root system in the mixture bed of soil and rice hull. The better growth of root may be due to the better physical conditions and lower EC in the mixture bed of soil and rice hull where nutrient supply was well-managed with fertigation system. In the cultivation with mixture bed of soil and rice hull, fruit yield of green pepper was significantly higher; increased by 43% in comparison to the conventional soil cultivation. Pepper cultivation technique using mixture bed of soil and rice hull and surface drop fertigation system is expected to be a useful method for maintaining and prolonging the productivity of salt-affected plastic film house soils.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effects of root zone cooling using air duct on air temperature distribution and root zone and leaf temperatures of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L. 'Veyron') grown on coir substrate hydroponic system in a greenhouse. When the air duct was laid at the passage adjacent the slab, the direction of air blowing was upstream at $45^{\circ}$. The cooling temperature was set at $20^{\circ}C$ for day and $18^{\circ}C$ for night. For cooing timing treatments, the cooling air was applied at all day (All-day), only night time (5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Night), or no cooling (Control). The air temperature inside the greenhouse at a height of 40 and 80cm above the floor, and substrate and leaf temperatures, fruit characteristics, and fruit ratio were measured. Under the All-day treatment, the air temperature was decreased about $4.4{\sim}5.1^{\circ}C$ at the height of 40cm and $2.1{\sim}3.1^{\circ}C$ at the height of 80cm. Under the Night treatment, the air temperature was decreased about $3.4{\sim}3.8^{\circ}C$ at the height of 40cm and $2.2{\sim}2.7^{\circ}C$ at the height of 80cm. The daily average temperature in the substrate was in the order of the Control ($27.7^{\circ}C$) > Night ($24.1^{\circ}C$) > All-day ($22.8^{\circ}C$) treatment. Cooling the passage with either upstream blowing at $45^{\circ}$ or horizontal blowing at $180^{\circ}$ was effective in lowering the air temperature at a height of 50cm; however, no difference at a height of 100cm. Cooling the passage with perpendicular direction at $90^{\circ}$ was effective in lowering the air temperature at the height between 100 and 200cm above the floor; however, no effect on the temperature at the height of 50cm. A greater decrease in leaf temperature was found at 7 p.m. than that at 9. a.m. under both All-day and Night treatments. Fresh weight partitioning of fruit was in the order of the All-day (48.6%) > Night (45.6%) > Control (24.4%) treatment. A higher fruit production was observed under the All-day treatment, in which the accumulated average temperature was the lowest, and it may have been led to a higher proportion of photosynthate distributed to fruit than other treatments.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.51-58
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• 2006

In this study, uptake and toxicity of disel (TPH) by poplar specie, $P.\;nigra{\times}P.\;maximowiczii$ were assessed in laboratory soil column experiments. Poplar cuttings were grown for 2 months and exposed to various concentration (0, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg) of disel for a period of 60 days. For disel removal experiments, disel was effectively removed in the range of lower concentration. but, the removal rate of disel was rapidly decreased as increasing initial disel concentrations. For the this reason, toxicity effetcs were evaluated by measuring in poplar cutting mass variation and monitoring transpiration. Exposure on higher disel concentration resulted in decrease of biomass and transpiration accompanied by chlorosis and abscission, indicating toxic effect of disel on the poplar tree. And also, we have observed that both removal efficiency of disel and the microbial activity were higher at the bottom of the soil column. It was suggested that the plant formed the root zone at contaminated soil, stimulated microbial activity by plant root exudates, and played an important role in enhanced biodegradation of disel.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2023

The RGB (red, green, and blue) imagery analysis is an important remote sensing tool, which estimates the effect of environmental stress on turfgrass growth and physiology. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of continuous wear stress treatment on Zoysia japonica through RGB imagery analysis. The results of the growth measurement showed that the plant height substantially decreased, after nine hours of treatment with no considerable difference thereafter. Dry weight measurement showed a substantial difference in the morphological growth characteristics of the aerial part of the turfgrass, but none in the stolon and root zone. This could be attributed to the short period of compaction treatment. The ROS (reactive oxygen species) analysis showed that ROS rapidly increased due to wear stress treatment. The MDA content increased during the traffic process, whereas the green pixels increased and decreased repeatedly; however, overall, the trend declined but the overall trend decreased. Thus, this study confirmed that MDA was effective in reflecting the wear stress of turfgrass; however, it could through RGB image analysis.