• Title/Summary/Keyword: Science Laboratory

Search Result 15,951, Processing Time 0.042 seconds

A study on multidisciplinary and convergent research using the case of 3D bioprinting (3D 바이오프린팅 사례로 본 다학제간 융복합 연구에 대한 소고)

  • Park, Ju An;Jung, Sungjune;Ma, Eunjeong
    • Korea Science and Art Forum
    • /
    • v.30
    • /
    • pp.151-161
    • /
    • 2017
  • In the fields of science and engineering, multidisciplinary research is common, and researchers with a diverse range of expertise collaborate to achieve common goals. As the 4th industrial revolution gains currency in society, there is growing demand on talented personnel both with technical knowledge and skills and with communicative skills. That is, future engineers are expected to possess competence in social and artistic skills in addition to specialized knowledge and skills in engineering. In this paper we introduce an emerging field of 3D bioprinting as an exemplary case of interdisciplinary research. We have chosen the case to demonstrate the possibility of cultivating engineers with π-shaped expertise. Building on the concept of T-shaped talent, we define π-shaped expertise as having both technical skills in more than one specialized field and interpersonal/communicative skills. Wtih references to such concepts as trading zones and interactional expertise, we suggest that π-shaped expertise can be cultivated via the creation of multi-level trading zones. Trading zones are referred to as the physical, conceptual, or metaphorical spaces in which experts with different world views trade ideas, objects, and the like. Interactional expertise is cultivated, as interactions between researches are under way, with growing understanding of each other's expertise. Under the support of the university and the government, two researchers with expertise in printing technology and life sciences cooperate to develop a 3D bioprinting system. And the primary investigator of the research laboratory under study has aimed to create multiple dimensions of trading zones where researchers with different educational and cultural backgrounds can exchange ideas and interact with each other. As 3D bioprinting has taken shape, we have found that a new form of expertise, namely π-shaped expertise is formed.

Genetic Characterization of Antigenic Variant Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) in Chickens in Korea

  • Jong-Yeol Park;Ki-Woong Kim;Ke Shang;Sang-Won Kim;Yu-Ri Choi;Cheng-Dong Yu;Ji-Eun Son;Gyeong-Jun Kim;Won-Bin Jeon;In-Hwan Kim;Bai Wei;Min Kang;Hyung-Kwan Jang;Se-Yeoun Cha
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
    • /
    • v.50 no.4
    • /
    • pp.231-240
    • /
    • 2023
  • Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious, and immunosuppressive disease in young chickens, and causes considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. More than 30 years ago, an antigenic variant IBDV (avIBDV) was reported in chicken farms in the United States. Recently, a novel avIBDV exhibited clear differences in molecular characteristics compared with previous variant strains. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of recently isolated avIBDV strains in Korea. Strains of avIBDV were confirmed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and were propagated in 10-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs through chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) inoculation. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses of hypervariable regions VP2 gene revealed that the strains originated from two different avIBDV lineages (G2a and G2d). In our results, we confirmed the co-existence and prevalence of avIBDV genogroup G2a and G2d in chicken farms. It is necessary to study the protective efficacy of current vaccines against avIBDVs.

Development of Filtering Sets Composed of Lignocellulosic Fiber-based 3-layers Fiberboard and Traditional Korean Paper for the Purification of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollutants (리그노셀룰로오스 섬유-기반 3층 섬유판과 한지로 구성된 실내외 대기 오염물질 정화용 필터세트의 개발)

  • Young-kyu Lee;Yeong Seo Choi;Myoung cheol Moon;Jae min So;Ohkyung Kwon;Wonsil Choi;Joon weon Choi;In Yang
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
    • /
    • v.62 no.1
    • /
    • pp.87-98
    • /
    • 2024
  • This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of the filtering sets composed of fiberboards, which were fabricated with lignocellulosic fiber and cork oak bark-based activated carbon (COA), as well as traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (KP) for the filtration of PM, TVOC and HCHO. Three-layers fiberboards (WRF) were fabricated with wood fiber in its surface layers and recycled fiber/COA in its core layer using a protein-based adhesive with the resin content of 8%. Filtering sets were composed of three WRF and one sheet of KP. Concentrations of PM, TVOC and HCHO generated with the combustion of a incense in a sealed laboratory hood were reduced efficiently with the operation of air-purifier installed the filtering sets. Except for the WRF fabricated with 4%/4% resin contents, other WRF were prepared with 5%/3% and 6%/2% resin contents in surface/core layers, and then the WRF were used with KP for the fabrication of filtering sets. Filtration efficiency of the filtering sets was improved as the core-layer resin content applied in the fabrication of WRF decreased. In addition, filtration efficiency of the WRF-based filtering set fabricated with KP of 25 g/m2 basis weight was higher than that with KP of 45 g/m2 basis weight. Filtering sets composed of three-layers fiberboards (RWF) that recycled fiber and wood fiber/COA were used in its surface and core layers, respectively, and KP-25g showed higher filtration efficiency than those of WRF-based filtering sets. Air-inhalation equipment installed the RWF-based, WRF-based filtering sets and without filtering set were operated in small indoor and large outdoor spaces. Efficiency for filtering PM and TVOC of the RWF-based filtering sets was higher than that of other filtering sets. It is concluded that fiberboard-based filtering sets composed of RWF and KP-25g can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM and TVOC existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Assessment of Food·Nutrient Intakes among Adult Visitors of a Public Health Center in Korea (일부 보건소 내원자의 대사증후군 발현과 식품 및 영양소 섭취 실태)

  • Jeong, Won-Hoon;Jin, Bok-Hee;Hwang, Eun-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.41 no.2
    • /
    • pp.205-212
    • /
    • 2012
  • This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and assess nutrient intake levels for the purpose of improving MS risk factors. The participants in this study were 512 adults consisting of 271 men and 241 women aged 30 and over, who visited a public health center for a medical check up. The diagnosis of MS subjects was adapted from the NCEP-ATPIII guidelines and the WHO Asia-Pacific Area criteria for obesity. The MS group was defined as subjects displaying three or more risk factors, and the non MS group was defined as those displaying two or less risk factors. A dietary survey was conducted using the 24-hour recall method. The number of subjects displaying MS syndrome factors was 158 (30.9%), broken down into, 89 men and 69 women. Regarding risk factors in the MS group, the prevalence of waist circumference was 40.5%, hypertension 34.2%, hyperglycemia 31.0%, low HDL-cholesterol 24.7%, and hypertriglycemia 19.6%. BMI, sistolic blood pressure, blood glocose, blood triglyceride, and blood HCL-cholesterol of the MS group were significantly higher compared to the non MS group. Male subjects in the MS group reported high intakes of cereals, sugar, fruits, meat and poultry, oil and fats, and beverages and total food intake was significantly higher compared to the non MS group. Women in the MS group reported high intakes of meat and poultry, milk and dairy products, beverages, and seasonings, and total food intake was higher compared to the non MS group. Dietary diversity score (DDS) was 3.82~4.04, which was not significant among the groups. In men, dietary variety score (DVS) was 16.3 in the MS group and 19.4 in the non MS group, whereas in women, the DVS was 15.2 in the non MS group and 17.0 in the MS group. In GMVDF pattern, 11111 pattern was 30.7%, followed by 01111 for men and 11101 for women. Calorie, fat, and cholesterol intakes in men as well as, calorie, fat, and folate intakes in women in the MS group were higher compared to the non MS group. Intakes of protein, P, Fe, Na, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, vitamin E, and Zn were higher than the KDRIs. On the other hand, intakes of Ca, K, fiber, vitamin $B_2$, and vitamin C were below the KDRIs. Intakes of lipids, animal food, Na, and cholesterol in the MS group were higher compared to the non MS group, whereas intake of dietary fiber was lower. Our results indicate that continuous, systematic nutritional education program must implemented to reduce the risk factors associated with MS.

Arsenic Removal Mechanism of the Residual Slag Generated after the Mineral Carbonation Process in Aqueous System (광물탄산화 공정 이후 발생하는 잔사슬래그의 수계 내 비소 제거 기작)

  • Kim, Kyeongtae;Latief, Ilham Abdul;Kim, Danu;Kim, Seonhee;Lee, Minhee
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
    • /
    • v.55 no.4
    • /
    • pp.377-388
    • /
    • 2022
  • Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to identify the As removal mechanism of the residual slag generated after the mineral carbonation process. The residual slags were manufactured from the steelmaking slag (blast oxygen furnace slag: BOF) through direct and indirect carbonation process. RDBOF (residual BOF after the direct carbonation) and RIBOF (residual BOF after the indirect carbonation) showed different physicochemical-structural characteristics compared with raw BOF such as chemical-mineralogical properties, the pH level of leachate and forming micropores on the surface of the slag. In batch experiment, 0.1 g of residual slag was added to 10 mL of As-solution (initial concentration: 203.6 mg/L) titrated at various pH levels. The RDBOF showed 99.3% of As removal efficiency at initial pH 1, while it sharply decreased with the increase of initial pH. As the initial pH of solution decreased, the dissolution of carbonate minerals covering the surface was accelerated, increasing the exposed area of Fe-oxide and promoting the adsorption of As-oxyanions on the RDBOF surface. Whereas, the As removal efficiency of RIBOF increased with the increase of initial pH levels, and it reached up to 70% at initial pH 10. Considering the PZC (point of zero charge) of the RIBOF (pH 4.5), it was hardly expected that the electrical adsorption of As-oxyanion on surface of the RIBOF at initial pH of 4-10. Nevertheless it was observed that As-oxyanion was linked to the Fe-oxide on the RIBOF surface by the cation bridge effect of divalent cations such as Ca2+, Mn2+, and Fe2+. The surface of RIBOF became stronger negatively charged, the cation bridge effect was more strictly enforced, and more As can be fixed on the RIBOF surface. However, the Ca-products start to precipitate on the surface at pH 10-11 or higher and they even prevent the surface adsorption of As-oxyanion by Fe-oxide. The TCLP test was performed to evaluate the stability of As fixed on the surface of the residual slag after the batch experiment. Results supported that RDBOF and RIBOF firmly fixed As over the wide pH levels, by considering their As desorption rate of less than 2%. From the results of this study, it was proved that both residual slags can be used as an eco-friendly and low-cost As remover with high As removal efficiency and high stability and they also overcome the pH increase in solution, which is the disadvantage of existing steelmaking slag as an As remover.

Developmental Capacity of Mouse Oocytes within Preantral Follicles Cultured in Medium Supplemented with Gonadotroplhins (성선자극호르몬이 첨가된 배양액에서 체외배양된 생쥐 Preantral Follicles 내 난자의 발생능력)

  • Kim, D.H;Kang, H.G.;Kim, M.K.;Han, S.W.;Chi, H.J.;Lee, H.J.;Lee, H.T.;Chung, K.S.
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
    • /
    • v.24 no.4
    • /
    • pp.395-406
    • /
    • 2000
  • The present study was conducted to examine the developmental capacity of mouse oocytes within prenatal follicles cultured various concentrations of FSH and LH and the expression of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and cytochrome P450 17 $\alpha$ -hydroxylase (P450)$_{17{\alpha}}$ mRNA, as luteinization and atretic marker, in these culture conditions. In addition, we investigated the concentrations of progesterone and testosterone in culture medium. The developmental potential up to blastocyst of the oocytes grown in vitro was higher in the FSH alone (30.2%) and 10 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH treated (28.0%) groups than in the 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH treated group (22.0%). And the mean numbers of cell per blastocyst was higher in the FSH alone (50.9$\pm$26.1) and 10 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH treated (51.0$\pm$21.1) groups when compared to the 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH treated group (45.2$\pm$15.1). The expressions of P450scc and P450$_{17{\alpha}}$ mRNA in the oocyte -cumulus complexes were increased with increasing of LH concentration, and also the secretions of progesterone and testosterone were increased. Especially, in the 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH treated group, the expression of P450scc and P450$_{17{\alpha}}$ were significantly increased, and the secretion of progesterone and testosterone were significantly increased. Therefore, these data show that gonadotrophins are essential for the in vitro culture of preantral follicles, but that increasing of LH concentration is reduced the developmental capacity of oocytes. The cause of these findings may be due to increasing of progesterone and testosterone secretion by the enhance of P450scc and P450$_{17{\alpha}}$ mRNA expressions, as markers of luteinization and atresia. Conclusively, this study suggest that supplementation of 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH or 10 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ LH and 100 $m\ell$U/$m\ell$ FSH may be optimal condition for the culture of mouse pre antral follicles.

  • PDF

Studies on the Life History of Bacciger harengulae (Bacciger harengulae의 생활사에 관한 연구)

  • KIM Young-Gill;CHUN Seh-Kyu
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
    • /
    • v.17 no.5
    • /
    • pp.449-470
    • /
    • 1984
  • The cercaria of Bacciger herengulae which is parasitized on the gonad of Solen strictus was investigated in order to reveal its entire life history. The area covered for the study was in the vicinity sea of Naechodo, the estuary of the Kum river in the western coast of Korea during the period of 1980-1983. Morphology and development as well as infection rates of sporocyst and cercaria within Solen strictus were examined. For accomplishing the objectives of this study, an artificial infection experiment and some investigations on the second intermediate host, the final host and the growing stages were also studied in both laboratory and natural habitat of Solen strictus. According to the study, it was revealed that the first intermediate hosts were Meretrix lusoria, Solen strictus, Tapes japonica and Laternula limicola, the second intermediate host was Palaemon (Exopalaemon) carinicauda and the final hosts were Konosirus punctatus and Harengula zunasi. A mature sporocyst which was found in the gonad of Solen strictus was $4.0-4.3{\times}0.2-0.21\;mm$ insize, and the cercaia with 27 pairs of setae, each seta consisting of 6 tufts, was $270{\times}147{\mu}m$ in body size and $550{\times}52{\mu}m$ in tail size. Oral sucker($52{\times}42{\mu}m$), pharynx, vental sucker and two testese were obviously seen within the cercaria. The excretory vesicles of cercaria were in V-shape and the flame cell were formula was expressed as 2[(3+3)+(3+3)]=24. The infection of cercaria in the first intermediate host, Solen strictus, was found throughout the year regardlless of the water temperature, and its mean infection rate was $9.67\%$ during the study period. The infection rate fluctuated with temperature, the highest being $28.0\%\;at\;28.0^{\circ}C$ water temperature in July and the lowest $2.4\%\;at\;19.5^{\circ}C$ in October, and it increased in proportion to the shell length on the host. But cercaria was not detected at below 4.0 cm in size of the host. Mature cercariae were found 6 months from May to October when water temperature was above $19.5^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, when water temperature was below $19.5^{\circ}C$, only immature cercariae and sporocysts were found. The cercariae were active for 35 hours and survived for 71 hours at $20^{\circ}C$, and 29 and 34 hours at $25^{\circ}C$ respectively, whereas the cercariae were inactive at less than $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. Cercaria, from Solen strictus, approached shrimp of 1-3 cm in body length as its second host. Then, it began to intrude in to the muscle of shrimp after 2-3 hours. The infected cercaria formed cyst after 7-8 hours, and became mature metacercaria. $420{\times}310{\mu}m$ in size, 15 days afer infection. The infection rate of metaceria to shrimp in the laboratory was highest, at $25^{\circ}C$ being $61\%$ and at $20^{\circ}C\;17%$. The infection rate of metacearia in shrimp was highest in the first abdominal segment, followed by cephalothorax, the second, and fifth abdominal segments, and in that order. Also, the infection rate of metacercaria in wild shrimp was high $9.6-11.1\%$ at $26.5^{\circ}C$ in June, and low $1.56-2.5\%$ at $28-29.5^{\circ}C$ from July to August. The infected shrimp with metacercaria was experimentally fed to Konosirus punctatus in the laboratory in order to know its final host. The metacercaria developed into the adult worm, $440-520{\times}310-360{\mu}m$ in size, within the intestine of Konosirus punctatus 20 days after infection. The adult worm was oval shape and $20-24{\times}11-20{\mu}m$ in size. The infection rate of adult worm to Konosirus punctatus and Harengula zunasi ranged 87.3 to $100\%$, the mean being $95.2\%$, regardless of the body length of their hosts. The infection rate was $100\%$ in June and July, but it decreased in September and October. The size and body structure of the trematode observed during the present study were well agreed with those ievestigated by Yamaguti(1938), thus, it may be concluded that the adult worm it identified as Bacciger harengulae.

  • PDF

Decentralized Composting of Garbage in a Small Composter for Dwelling House;III. Laboratory Composting of the Household Garbase in a Small Bin with Double Layer Walls (가정용 소형 퇴비화용기에 의한 부엌쓰레기의 분산식 퇴비화;III. 실험실조건에서 이중벽 소형 용기에 의한 퇴비화 연구)

  • Seo, Jeoung-Yoon;Joo, Woo-Hong
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
    • /
    • v.14 no.2
    • /
    • pp.232-245
    • /
    • 1995
  • The garbage from the dwelling house was composted in two kinds of small composter in the laboratory, and the possibility of garbage composting was examined. The composters were general small. One (type 3) was constructed with the double layer walls and the other (type 4) was the same as the first except for being insulated. Because it was found that type 3 was not available for composting under our meteorological conditions through the winter experiment, only type 4 was tested in spring and summer. The experiment was performed for 8 weeks in each season. The seasonal variation of several components in the compost was evaluated and discussed. The results summarized below were those obtained at the end of the experiment, if the time was not specified. 1) The maximum temperature was $43^{\circ}C$ in winter, $55^{\circ}C$ in spring and $56^{\circ}C$ in summer. 2) The mass was reduced to an average of 63% and the volume reduction was an average of 78%. 3) The density was estimated as 1.5 kg/l in winter and 0.8 kg/l in spring and summer. 4) The water content was not much changed during the composting periods. It was 79.3% in winter, 75.0% in spring and 70.0% in summer. 5) After pH value increased during the first week, it decreased until the second week and increased again continuously thereafter. It reached pH 6.19 in winter, pH 7.59 in spring and pH 8.69 in summer. 6) The faster the organic matter was decomposed, the greater the ash content increased. The contents of cellulose and lignin increased, but that of hemicellulose decreased during the composting period. 7) Nitrogen contents were in the range of 3.3-6.8% and especially high in summer. After ammonium contents increased at the early stage of the composting period, they decreased. The maximum ammonium-nitrogen content was 2,404mg/kg after 8 weeks in winter, 12,400mg/kg after 3 weeks in spring and 20,718mg/kg after 3 weeks in summer. C/N-ratios decreased with the lapse of composting time, but they were not much changed. Nitrification occurred actively in summer. 8) The contents of volatile and higher fatty acids increased at the early stage of composting and reduced after that. The maximum content of total fatty acid was 9.7% after 6 weeks in winter, 14.8% after 6 weeks in spring and 15.8% after 2 weeks in summer. 9) The contents of inorganic components were not accumulated as composting proceeded. They were in the range of 0.9-4.4% $P_2O_5$, 1.6-2.4% $K_2O$, 2.2-5.4% CaO and 0.30-0.61% MgO. 10) CN and heavy metal contents did not show any tendency. They were in the range of 0.21-14.55mg/kg CN, 11-166mg/kg Zn, 5-65mg/kg Cu, 0.5-10.8mg/kg Cd, 6- 35mg/kg Pb, ND-33 mg/kg Cr and ND-302.04 g/kg Hg.

  • PDF

A STUDY ON THE IONOSPHERE AND THERMOSPHERE INTERACTION BASED ON NCAR-TIEGCM: DEPENDENCE OF THE INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD (IMF) ON THE MOMENTUM FORCING IN THE HIGH-LATITUDE LOWER THERMOSPHERE (NCAR-TIEGCM을 이용한 이온권과 열권의 상호작용 연구: 행성간 자기장(IMF)에 따른 고위도 하부 열권의 운동량 강제에 대한 연구)

  • Kwak, Young-Sil;Richmond, Arthur D.;Ahn, Byung-Ho;Won, Young-In
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
    • /
    • v.22 no.2
    • /
    • pp.147-174
    • /
    • 2005
  • To understand the physical processes that control the high-latitude lower thermospheric dynamics, we quantify the forces that are mainly responsible for maintaining the high-latitude lower thermospheric wind system with the aid of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere-Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (NCAR-TIEGCM). Momentum forcing is statistically analyzed in magnetic coordinates, and its behavior with respect to the magnitude and orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is further examined. By subtracting the values with zero IMF from those with non-zero IMF, we obtained the difference winds and forces in the high-latitude 1ower thermosphere(<180 km). They show a simple structure over the polar cap and auroral regions for positive($B_y$ > 0.8|$\overline{B}_z$ |) or negative($B_y$ < -0.8|$\overline{B}_z$|) IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ conditions, with maximum values appearing around -80$^{\circ}$ magnetic latitude. Difference winds and difference forces for negative and positive $\overline{B}_y$ have an opposite sign and similar strength each other. For positive($B_z$ > 0.3125|$\overline{B}_y$|) or negative($B_z$ < -0.3125|$\overline{B}_y$|) IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ conditions the difference winds and difference forces are noted to subauroral latitudes. Difference winds and difference forces for negative $\overline{B}_z$ have an opposite sign to positive $\overline{B}_z$ condition. Those for negative $\overline{B}_z$ are stronger than those for positive indicating that negative $\overline{B}_z$ has a stronger effect on the winds and momentum forces than does positive $\overline{B}_z$ At higher altitudes(>125 km) the primary forces that determine the variations of tile neutral winds are the pressure gradient, Coriolis and rotational Pedersen ion drag forces; however, at various locations and times significant contributions can be made by the horizontal advection force. On the other hand, at lower altitudes(108-125 km) the pressure gradient, Coriolis and non-rotational Hall ion drag forces determine the variations of the neutral winds. At lower altitudes(<108 km) it tends to generate a geostrophic motion with the balance between the pressure gradient and Coriolis forces. The northward component of IMF By-dependent average momentum forces act more significantly on the neutral motion except for the ion drag. At lower altitudes(108-425 km) for negative IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ condition the ion drag force tends to generate a warm clockwise circulation with downward vertical motion associated with the adiabatic compress heating in the polar cap region. For positive IMF-$\overline{B}_y$ condition it tends to generate a cold anticlockwise circulation with upward vertical motion associated with the adiabatic expansion cooling in the polar cap region. For negative IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ the ion drag force tends to generate a cold anticlockwise circulation with upward vertical motion in the dawn sector. For positive IMF-$\overline{B}_z$ it tends to generate a warm clockwise circulation with downward vertical motion in the dawn sector.

Ammonium Nitrate Explosion Technique for the Establishment of Orchard (산지과수(山地果樹)의 재식(栽植)을 위(爲)한 폭약이용(爆藥利用)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Yoo, S.H.;Koh, K.C.;Park, M.E.
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
    • /
    • v.12 no.4
    • /
    • pp.169-178
    • /
    • 1980
  • Ammonium nitrate explosion technique was applied to seek a convenient method for the establishment of orchard on the undulating to rolling land or hill side of Pogog clay loam soil (Fine Aquic Fragiudalfs : Planosols) having high bulk density and low permeability. Explosions were made by three ammonium nitrate explosives placed in the bottom of 90cm deep auger hole with every 2m interval (Explosion I) and 4m interval (Explosion II) respectively. The effect of the explosion on physical properties of the soil was investigated and compared with the effect induced by manual digging, excavation of $1m{\times}1m$ in diameter and depth (Manual digging I) and trenching of $1m{\times}1m{\times}25m$ in width, depth, and length (Manual digging II) respectively. The results investigated after 7 months from the treatments are summarized as follows : 1. The explosion or manual digging reduced bulk density and hardness, whereas the treatments increased porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and available moisture-holding capacity of the soil. 2. The explosion of 4 m interval improved physical properties of the soil to optimum level up to 70cm of the distance from the explosion core in the range of depth 0-60cm, while in the case of depth from 60 to 100cm the optimum level was achieved only within 50cm radius. 3. When exploded in 2 m interval, the effect in the 0-60cm depth was overlapped between two explosion cores. The effect in the depth between 60 and 100cm, however, was found to be independent of the explosion intervals. 4. The manual digging was only costly and laborious but effective only within the work-up zone. 5. For the soils having bulk density higher than $1.4g/cm^3$ after the treatments, the field capacity determined 72 hours after a heavy rain was lower than the laboratory estimate at the suction of 1/3 atm. 6. The top growth of apple tree for the first year revealed that the explosion seemed better treatment than the manual digging, even though the difference was insignificant.

  • PDF