• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2023

The effects of forest fires on the activity of microbial communities in topsoil and subsoil were investigated. Samples were collected from Korean forest soils comprising mainly igneous and sedimentary rocks. Analysis of beta-glucosidase, found higher microbial activity in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks. Enzyme activity was not observed immediately after fire, but was restored over time. The enzyme activity of subsoil was inhibited by 33~46% compared with that in the topsoil, regardless of soil damage. The effect of fire on the availability of microbial substrate was investigated using EcoPlate. The percentages of average well color development values of damaged and normal topsoil were 52.7~56.8% and 62.3~83.6%, respectively. Forest fires appear to affect the diversity and substrate availability of the subsoil microbial community by accelerating the decomposition of soil organic matter. The Shanon index, representing microbial biodiversity, was high in the topsoil of all samples; it was higher for soil microorganisms in sedimentary rocks than in igneous rocks, and higher in topsoil than in subsoil.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.443-450
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• 2015

The east coast of the Korean Peninsula is susceptible to fires because of the low rainfall in winter and spring, and large forest fires have occurred in this area. Lack of fresh water to combat fires has hampered efforts to prevent widespread forest fires in this region. Seawater has not been used as a suppressant because of possible detrimental effects of salt. We investigated the mobility of saline water in the forest soil and their effect on the microbial activity. Using a fire-fighting helicopter, seawater was sprayed over three plots (50 × 100 m) located on the eastern slope of the Baekdu mountain range in South Korea in April, 2011. We sampled the soil in April 4, May 20, and August 5 to determine the amount of salt that remained in the soil. The electrical conductivity value of the soil decreased to <400 μS/cm over a 1-month period. Approximately, four months after the application of seawater, the electrical conductivity value and Na⁺ content in all treatment plots did not significantly differ to those of the control plot, and total microbial activity also recovered to that of the control. Our results indicate that the amount of rainfall, soil physical-chemical properties, and topological factors may be a critical factor determining the mobility of saline water in forest soil.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.271-280
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• 2017

Background: Soil microorganisms play key roles in nutrient cycling and are distributed throughout the soil profile. Currently, there is little information about the characteristics of the microbial communities along the soil depth because most studies focus on microorganisms inhabiting the soil surface. To better understand the functions and composition of microbial communities and the biogeochemical factors that shape them at different soil depths, we analyzed microbial activities and bacterial and fungal community composition in soils up to a 120 cm depth at a fallow field located in central Korea. To examine the vertical difference of microbial activities and community composition, ${\beta}$-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, ${\beta}$-1,4-xylosidase, ${\beta}$-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase activities were analyzed and barcoded pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes (bacteria) and internal transcribed spacer region (fungi) was conducted. Results: The activity of all the soil enzymes analyzed, along with soil C concentration, declined with soil depth. For example, acid phosphatase activity was $125.9({\pm}5.7({\pm}1SE))$, $30.9({\pm}0.9)$, $15.7({\pm}0.6)$, $6.7({\pm}0.9)$, and $3.3({\pm}0.3)nmol\;g^{-1}\;h^{-1}$ at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively. Among the bacterial groups, the abundance of Proteobacteria (38.5, 23.2, 23.3, 26.1, and 17.5% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) and Firmicutes (12.8, 11.3, 8.6, 4.3, and 0.4% at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm soil depths, respectively) decreased with soil depth. On the other hand, the abundance of Ascomycota (51.2, 48.6, 65.7, 46.1, and 45.7% at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 cm depths, respectively), a dominant fungal group at this site, showed no clear trend along the soil profile. Conclusions: Our results show that soil C availability can determine soil enzyme activity at different soil depths and that bacterial communities have a clear trend along the soil depth at this study site. These metagenomics studies, along with other studies on microbial functions, are expected to enhance our understanding on the complexity of soil microbial communities and their relationship with biogeochemical factors.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.399-409
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of microbial products on growth of chinese cabbage and microorganisms in soil. Two different levels of microbial products, such as 50 times and 100 times diluted solutions of chitosan, wood vinegar and EM activity liquid, were treated for foliar application. the results were summarized as follows : Among foliar applications of microbial products, 100 times diluted solution of chitosan was effective on growth of chinese cabbage comparing to other levels of dilutions and untreated control plot. The number of microorganism in the soil tended to increase under the treatment of microbial products compared to control plot. Especially, the numbers of the bacteria and actinomycetes were estimated $73.67{\times}10^3$ CFU/g and $34.00{\times}10^3$ CFU/g, respectively, under the treatment of 100 times diluted solution of chitosan.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.696-701
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate impacts of soil properties on microbial distribution in Jeonbuk orchard fields. Soil samples were collected from 110 sites cultivated with different fruit plants. The population of aerobic bacteria and fungi and the content of soil microbial biomass carbon (C) were found to increase with increasing silt content in the soils. Different activity of dehydrogenase was not observed among the different textures of soil. Microbial distribution, amount of microbial biomass C, and dehydrogenase activity in the soils were not significantly different among the topographic sites. However, in pear and grape fruit plant fields, coliform group of bacteria was found in relatively higher population, $133.0{\times}10^3\;CFU\;g^{-1}$ and $107.4{\times}10^3\;CFU\;g^{-1}$, respectively. Microbial groups were simplified and their density was reduced with increasing the cultivation periods of fruit plants. The soil microbial distribution was proportionally correlated with some of soil properties such as soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM) content, and exchangeable Mg content; in particular, the population of Bacillus sp. was proportionally correlated with soil pH and exchangeable Mg content. The amounts of microbial biomass C and the dehydrogenase activity in the soils were significantly correlated with the contents of SOM and exchangeable Ca ion (p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2015

The scientific information between microbial community and chemical properties of reclaimed tidal soil is not enough to understand the land reclamation process. This study was conducted to investigate the relation between chemical properties and microbial activities of soils from reclaimed tidal lands located at south-western coastal area (42 samples from Goheuong, Samsan, Bojun, Kunnae, Hwaong and Yeongsangang sites). Most of the reclaimed soils showed chemical characteristics as salinity soil based on EC. Only $Na^+$ in exchangeable cation was dependent on EC of reclaimed soil, whereas other cations such as $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ were independent on EC. The mesophilic bacteria decreased with an increase in EC of soil. Microbial population increased with soil organic content in the range of $0{\sim}10g\;kg^{-1}$ and dehydrogenase activity less than $100{\mu}g-TPF\;g^{-1}h^{-1}$. Microbial population of soils from reclaimed tidal lands was closely related to the microbial community containing hydrolytic enzyme activities of cellulase, amylase, protease, and lipase.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.760-770
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• 2023

Continuous cropping obstacles have become a serious factor restricting sustainable development in modern agriculture, while companion planting is one of the most common and effective methods for solving this problem. Here, we monitored the effects of companion planting on soil fertility and the microbial community distribution pattern in pepper monoculture and companion plantings. Soil microbial communities were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology. Companion plants included garlic (T1), oat (T2), cabbage (T3), celery (T4), and white clover (T5). The results showed that compared with the monoculture system, companion planting significantly increased the activities of soil urease (except for T5) and sucrase, but decreased catalase activity. In addition, T2 significantly improved microbial diversity (Shannon index) while T1 resulted in a decrease of bacterial OTUs and an increase of fungal OTUs. Companion planting also significantly changed soil microbial community structures and compositions. Correlation analysis showed that soil enzyme activities were closely correlated with bacterial and fungal community structures. Moreover, the companion system weakened the complexity of microbial networks. These findings indicated that companion plants can provide nutrition to microbes and weaken the competition among them, which offers a theoretical basis and data for further research into methods for reducing continuous cropping obstacles in agriculture.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2008

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of cultivars and compost on soil microbial activities and diversities in a red pepper-grown field. Compost was applied with 0, 30, and 60M/T $ha^{-1}$ in April and then red pepper seedlings of "Yong-go 4" and "Koeun" were transplanted in May 2007. Soil samples were collected in early August 2007. Measurement of microbial activities was based on a dehydrogenase assay and a fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis. Soil microbial community was characterized with Biolog $EcoPlate^{TM}$ and phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA). Red pepper cultivars did not differentiate the selected soil chemical and microbial properties. Soil pH and soil microbial community changed by amending the soil with 30 and 60 M/T $ha^{-1}$ of compost, and the soil organic matter and potassium content, and soil microbial activities increased in soils amended with 60 M/T $ha^{-1}$ of compost. Red pepper cultivar induced a little different soil chemical properties and microbial activity in soils amended with 60 M/T $ha^{-1}$ of compost even though significant differences were not found in those properties. In conclusion the effects of compost on soil chemical and microbial properties were much higher than red pepper cultivars in short-term period but the effects of red pepper cultivars should be investigated in long-term field test.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.267-277
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• 2004

Effects of elevated $CO_2$ on soil microorganisms are known to be mediated by various interactions with plants, for which such effects are relatively poorly documented. In this review, we summarize and syn­thesize results from studies assessing impacts of elevated $CO_2$ on soil ecosystems, focusing primarily on plants and a variety the of microbial processes. The processes considered include changes in microbial biomass of C and N, microbial number, respiration rates, organic matter decomposition, soil enzyme activities, microbial community composition, and functional groups of bacteria mediating trace gas emission such as methane and nitrous oxide. Elevated $CO_2$ in atmosphere may enhance certain micro­bial processes such as $CH_4$ emission from wetlands due to enhanced carbon supply from plants. How­ever, responses of extracellular enzyme activities and microbial community structure are still controversy, because interferences with other factors such as the types of plants, nutrient availabilitial in soil, soil types, analysis methods, and types of $CO_2$ fumigation systems are not fully understood.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.403-413
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• 2008

Toxic effect of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and formaldehyde (FA) on microbial activity and diversity was compared in rice field, leek patch, and tidal mud flat soil samples. MTBE, TBA and FA with different concentrations were added into microcosms containing these soil samples, and placed at room temperature for 30 days. Then the microbial activities such as dehydrogenase and viable cell numbers and microbial community using a DGGE (Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) fingerprinting method were measured. Among the samples, dehydrogenase activity in rice field was inhibited the most by MTBE, TBA and FA. The toxic effect was higher according to the following orders: FA > MTBE > TBA. Dominant species in the microcosms contaminated with MTBE, TBA and FA were Chloroflex, Bacilli, gamma-proteobacteria in the rice field sample, Sphingobacteria, Flavobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacilli, gamma-proteobacteria in the leek patch sample, and Sphingobacteria, Flavobacteria, delta-proteobacteria, gamma-proteobacteria in the tidal mud flat sample.