• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 1998

The root-zone environment is an important factor to the plant growth and it is closely related to the thermal characteristics of the root media. In this study thermal characteristics of root media with ambient environmental conditions were analyzed. The temperatures of nutrient solution as well as inside air of culture bed were measured in Nutrient Film Technique(NFT) and Deep Flow Technique(DFT) systems, and also the temperatures of root media measured in aggregate culture systems , The temperature of nutrient solution of NFT system with as low as 3$\ell$/min of flow rate was 3$^{\circ}C$ higher than that with 5 $\ell$/min of flow rate in the daytime, and the temperature of inside air was 2$^{\circ}C$ higher at night. And the temperature of nutrient solution of DFT system with as low as 0.8 cm of water level was 1-2$^{\circ}C$ higher than that with 1 8 cm in the daytime, and the temperature of inside air was almost same at night. The root-zone temperatures in the perlite and rockwool granulate systems with film mulching were 3$^{\circ}C$ higher than those without film mulching in the daytime. However, the rockwool slab system with film mulching showed the same trend as rockwool granulate system, but relatively higher temperature than any other medium because of the exposure of media surface to the ambient air. Additionally the temperature below the plant was measured 3$^{\circ}C$ lower than that between plants.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2014

The amount of TPH contaminated soil treated at off-site remediation facilities is ever increasing. For the recycle of the treated-soil on farmlands, it is necessary to restore biological and physico-chemical soil characteristics and to remove residual TPH in the soil by an economic polishing treatment method such as phytoremediation. In this study, a series of experiments was performed to select suitable plant species and to devise a proper planting method for the phyto-restoration of TPH-treated soil. Rye (Secale cereale) was selected as test species through a germination test, among 5 other plants. Five 7-day-old rye seedlings were planted in a plastic pot, 20 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter. The pot was filled with TPH-treated soil (residual TPH of 1,118 mg/kg) up to 15 cm, and upper 5 cm was filled with horticulture soil to prevent TPH toxic effects and to act as root growth zone. The planted pot was cultivated in a greenhouse for 38 days along with the control that rye planted in a normal soil and the blank with no plants. After 38 days, the above-ground biomass of rye in the TPH-treated soil was 30.6% less than that in the control, however, the photosynthetic activity of the leaf remained equal on both treatments. Soil DHA (dehydrogenase activity) increased 186 times in the rye treatment compared to 10.8 times in the blank. The gross TPH removal (%) in the planted soil and the blank soil was 34.5% and 18.4%, respectively, resulting in 16.1% increase of net TPH removal. Promotion of microbial activity by root exudate, increase in soil permeability and air ventilation as well as direct uptake and degradation by planted rye may have contributed to the higher TPH removal rate. Therefore, planting rye on the TPH-treated soil with the root growth zone method showed both the potential of restoring biological soil properties and the possibility of residual TPH removal that may allow the recycle of the treated soil to farmlands.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.349-354
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• 2013

This study examined a technique for cooling root zone aimed at lowering substrate temperature for sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L. 'Orange glory') cultivation in coir substrate hydroponics during hot season, from the $16^{th}$ of July to $15^{th}$ of October in 2012. The root zone cooling technique was applied by using an air duct (${\varnothing}12$ cm, hole size 0.1 mm) to blow cool air between two slabs during night (5p.m. to 3a.m.). Between the $23^{rd}$ of July and $31^{st}$ of August (hot temperature period), average daily substrate temperature was $24.7^{\circ}C$ under the root zone cooling, whereas it was $28.2^{\circ}C$ under condition of no cooling (control). In sunny day (600~700 W $m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$), average substrate temperatures during the day (6a.m. to 8p.m.) and night (8p.m. to 6a.m.) were lower about $1.7^{\circ}C$ and $3.3^{\circ}C$, respectively, under the cooling treatment, compared to that of control. The degree of temperature reduction in the substrate was averagely $0.5^{\circ}C$ per hour under the cooling treatment during 6p.m. to 8p.m.; however, there was no decrease in the temperature under the control. The temperature difference between the cooling and control treatments was $1.3^{\circ}C$ and $0.6^{\circ}C$ in the upper and lower part of the slab, respectively. During the hot temperature period, about 32.5% reduction in the substrate temperature was observed under the cooling treatment, compared to the control. Photosynthesis, transpiration rate, and leaf water potential of plants grown under the cooling treatment were significantly higher than those under the control. The first flowering date in the cooling was faster about 4 days than in the control. Also, the number of fruits was significantly higher than that in the control. No differences in plant height, stem thickness, number of internode, and leaf width were found between the plants grown under the cooling and control, except for the leaf length with a shorter length under the cooling treatment. However, root zone cooling influenced negligibly on eliminating delay in fruiting caused by excessively higher air temperature (> $28^{\circ}C$), although the substrate temperature was reduced by $3^{\circ}C$ to $5.6^{\circ}C$. These results suggest that the technique of lowering substrate temperature by using air-duct blow needs to be incorporated into the lowering growing temperature system for growth and fruit set of health paprika.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.3-19
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• 2001

Where temperature permits plant growth, the existence of plants is controlled chiefly by the water availability. Without water, plants cannot grow, and man and animals cannot survive. With too much water, plant growth is also rather limited due partly to oxygen deficit in root zone (Ro et al., 1995). The objective of this seminar is to discuss the most important aspects of water management in relation to crop production and environmental conservation. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2020

Background: Angelica gigas Nakai, that belong to the Umbelliferae family, is one of the traditional medicinal plants in Korea. Its roots have been used to treat gynecological diseases. In this study, growth characteristics and index components were compared with the forest microclimate at several forest sites. Methods and Results: A. gigas was planted in three climatic zones according to the temperature (southern temperature zone - Hamyang, central temperature zone - Bonghwa, and northern temperature zone - Jeongseon) and growth characteristics were investigated in comparison with the forest microclimate. Our results indicated that the root diameter and length, and fresh and dry weight were the highest in Jeongseon. The total content of decursin was the highest in Jeongseon (9.52%), followed by those in Hamyang (8.07%) and Bonghwa (7.48%), respectively. Additionally, the yield of decursin (1.39 g) was the highest in Jeongseon. Conclusions: The yield and index components were influenced by the microclimate in the forests, and it was assumed that high altitude and low temperature affected the increase in growth and index components. These results will be useful as basic data to study the correlation among environmental conditions, growth, and index components.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.79-91
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• 2017

This study was conducted to find out the physical properties and soil shearing strength reinforcement effect of herbaceous plants for the slope revegetation works. Two native plants(Pennisetum alopecuroides and Miscanthus sinensis) were used for this experiment, because they have excellent seed germination rates without preconditioning, and grow naturally around rivers. To identify the physical properties, the partial dry weight of plants were investigated. To identify the soil shearing strength reinforcement effect, the respective soil shearing strengths of the control soils, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Miscanthus sinensis samples were measured. Also, we did a correlation analysis to examine the relation of shearing strength to plant features. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The average dry weight of Pennisetum alopecuroides samples consists of 52.36% above ground and 47.64% at root. And in dry weight, 78.24% of it's root distributes within 10 cm in soil depth. Meanwhile the average dry weight of Miscanthus sinensis samples consists of 52.91% above ground and 47.09% at root. And in dry weight, 82.95% of it's root distributes within 10 cm in soil depth. 2. The results of correlation analysis showed that for both Pennisetum alopecuroides and Miscanthus sinensis, it could not be said that there was any correlation between shearing strength and plant characteristics, and statistically they were not meaningful. 3. In the shearing strength test with control soils, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Miscanthus sinensis as subjects, the differences in shearing strength measurement results were modest, and the order was shown as control soils < Pennisetum alopecuroides < Miscanthus sinensis, so the soil shearing strength reinforcement effect by the Pennisetum alopecuroides and the Miscanthus sinensis on loamy sand at river banks surface was confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2013

This experiment has been carried out to determine optimal culture conditions for the production of cut flowers and tubers of Calla (Zantedeschia 'Golden Affair' and 'Black Magic') in highlands. Treatments consisted of various levels of root zone environments, Results are as follows: Calla 'Golden Affair' were grown with different mulching materials such as Non-mulching, Black film, reflective film, Rice hull. Mulching materials resulted in no difference in the number of cut flowers but flower length was highest in reflective film. Calla 'Black Magic' were treated with various soil water content, soil type and watering time. Number of cut flowers and flower quality were greatest when the plants were watered at -80 kPa soil water content. No symptoms of soft rot (Erwinia carotovora) was observed at this soil water content. The occurrence of soft rot was observed with similar percentage according to soil type and the soil water content. When Calla 'Black Magic' were watered at the time of soil surface drying, growth was greater compared to others. Air temperature and PPF affected plant growth and photosynthesis. Photosynthetic rate was greatest at $25^{\circ}C$ and PPF $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, while lowest at $28^{\circ}C$ and PPF $800{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Soft rot did not occur without regard to dipping treatment (0, 5, 10, 24, 48 hours) when the day and night temperature were maintained at $25^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1689-1699
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• 2016

The growth conditions of planted trees, invasion of nuisance herbaceous species, competition between species, and effects of erosion control were monitored over five years in a riparian greenspace in Gapyeong County that was established through multilayered and grouped ecological planting. Of 156 trees planted in the upper and middle layers, 5.8% died. This tree death was attributed to poor drainage or aeration in the rooting zone from the clay-added root ball and too deep planting as well as a small-sized root ball and scanty fine roots. Of all the trees, 21.6% grew poorly due to transplant stress in the first year after planting, but they started to grow vigorously in the third year. This good growth was largely associated with soil improvement before planting, selection of appropriate tree species based on growth ground, and control of dryness and invasive climbing plants through surface mulching and multilayered/grouped planting. Mixed planting of fast-growing species as temporary trees was desirable for accelerating planting effect and increasing planting density. Thinning of fast-growing trees was required in the fifth year after planting to avoid considerable competition with target species. To reduce the invasion of herbaceous and climbing plants that oppress normal growth of planted trees, higher density planting of trees (crown opening of about 15%), woodchip mulching to a 10-cm depth, and edge planting 2 m wide were more effective than lower density planting (crown opening of 70%), no surface mulching, and no edge planting, respectively. This reduction effect was especially great during the first three years after planting. Nuisance herbaceous plants rarely invaded higher density planting with woodchip mulching over the five years. Higher density planting or woodchip mulching also showed much greater erosion control through rainfall interception and buffering than lower density planting with no mulching did. Based on these results, desirable planting and management strategies are suggested to improve the functions of riparian greenspaces.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Soil amendment was necessary applied for the sand that had been used to root zone of green ground in golf course because of its low water retention power and cation exchangeable capacity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the mixed ratio of peat moss and coconut coir as soil amendment materials on the soil physicochemical properties applied to rootzone based on sand. METHODS AND RESULTS: The soil amendments were blended at 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10% by soil volume. The pH in the peat moss treatment was lower than that of control (0% soil amendment), and pH and electrical conductivity (EC) in the coconut coir were higher. The blending ratio of peat moss was negatively correlated with pH of rootzone soil (p<0.01), and that of coconut coir positively with EC (p<0.01). As compared with control, capillary porosity, the physical factors such as air-filled porosity, total porosity, and hydraulic conductivity of rootzone soil were increased by applying peat moss and coconut coir. For correlation coefficients between percentage of soil amendments and soil physical factors, peat moss and coconut coir were positively correlated with porosity and hydraulic conductivity (p<0.01). CONCLUSION(S): These results indicated that the application of peat moss and coconut coir affected on the change of physicochemical properties of rootzone soil, and improved soil porosity and hydraulic conductivity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Rhizosphere bacteria may improve plant growth and productivity both by supply nutrients and hormonal stimulation. Although many experiments have shown improvements in plant growth with inoculation of bacterial cultures to the rhizosphere, the main obstacle in the applications of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in a large scale is the inconsistency of the results. We tested the growth promoting effects of Azospirillum and Methylobacterium strains on red pepper plant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Red pepper seedlings were grown for 25 days in a growth media inoculated with A. brasilense CW903 or M. oryzae CBMB20. The seedlings were transplanted and grown for 45 days in pots with soil in a greenhouse, at half the recommended level of fertilizer. Bacterial culture, $4.0{\times}10^9$ for A. brasilense CW903 and $5.8{\times}10^8$ CFU for M. oryzae CBMB20, was applied in root zone soil periodically every 10 days during the experiment. Inoculation of M. oryzae CBMB20 significantly increased the red pepper plant growth in terms of leaf number, height and mass of shoot, or root mass compared to uninoculated control plants. Although beneficial effects of A. brasilense on plant growth of many crops were observed, the growthpromoting effect of A. brasilense CW903 on red pepper plant was not found in this study. CONCLUSION(s): The factors responsible for the irregularities in plant growth promoting of rhizobacteria are difficult to elucidate. Extensive inoculation experiments in the greenhouse and in the field should enable us to define the factors critical to obtain successful application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.