• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.655-665
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• 2020

Background and objective: This study was conducted to compare the cultivation environment, growth of cut flowers, and management performance of conventional farms and smart farms growing the standard cut chrysanthemum, 'Jinba'. Methods: Conventional and smart farms were selected, and facility information, cultivation environment, cut flower growth, and management performance were investigated. Results: The conventional and smart farms were located in Muan, Jeollanam-do, and conventional farming involved cultivating with soil culture in a plastic greenhouse, while the smart farm was cultivating with hydroponics in a plastic greenhouse. The conventional farm did not have sensors for environmental measurement such as light intensity and temperature and pH and EC sensors for fertigation, and all systems, including roof window, side window, thermal screen, and shading curtain, were operated manually. On the other hand, the smart farm was equipped with sensors for measuring the environment and nutrient solution, and was automatically controlled. The day and night mean temperatures, relative humidity, and solar radiation in the facilities of the conventional and the smart farm were managed similarly. But in the floral differentiation stage, the floral differentiation was delayed, as the night temperature of conventional farm was managed as low as 17.7℃ which was lower than smart farm. Accordingly, the harvest of cut flowers by the conventional farm was delayed to 35 days later than that of the smart farm. Also, soil moisture and EC of the conventional farm were unnecessarily kept higher than those of the smart farm in the early growth stage, and then were maintained relatively low during the period after floral differentiation, when a lot of water and nutrients were required. Therefore, growth of cut flower, cut flower length, number of leaves, flower diameter, and weight were poorer in the conventional farm than in the smart farm. In terms of management performance, yield and sales price were 10% and 38% higher for the smart farm than for the conventional farm, respectively. Also, the net income was 2,298 thousand won more for the smart farm than for the conventional farm. Conclusion: It was suggested that the improved growth of cut flowers and high management performance of the smart farm were due to precise environment management for growth by the automatic control and sensor.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2002

This study was carried out to optimize the fertigation method using fermented swine liquid manure for the growth of two western vegetables, broccoli and celery. Plants were grown in a rain-shelter house and fertilized with a range of dilutions(efflux 5 dilution=Ef. 5, efflux 10 dilution=Ef. 10, efflux 25 dilution=Ef. 25, and efflux 50 dilution=Ef. 50) of the liquid manure or with conventional application of N : P$_2$O$\_$5/ : K$_2$O = 200 : 70 : 500kg/ha for broccoli, 250 : 210 : 240 kg/ha for celery as controls. After harvest, soil pH and K content decreased after using a high concentration of the liquid manure, Ef. 5, than after treatment with weaker concentrations at Ef. 25 and Ef. 50. On the other hand, soil electrical conductivity, content of P$_2$O$\_$5/, organic matter, total nitrogen, and NO$_3$-N at Ef. 5 increased as concentration of swine liquid manure increased. After harvest, available P$_2$O$\_$5/ in plant tissue did not differ significantly between any of the treatments. In broccoli, the lower concentration (Ef. 50) of swine liquid manure increased flowering over the other treatments, perhaps because the level of absorption into the plants is higher with lower concentration. The amounts of K and Ca in plant tissue were greatest after Ef. 25 and Ef. 50 treatments. Plant growth was best at Ef. 50 in broccoli, head height, head width, and head weight were the best with Ef. 25 and Ef. 50 treatments after harvest. In celery, leaf length was greater after Ef. 25 and Ef. 50 treatments than any other treatments. Total yield of celery of Ef. 25 and Ef. 50 treatments was twice that of conventional cultivation. On the other hand, yield severely decreased after application of high-concentration treatment at Ef. 5. In conclusion, fertigation of swine liquid manure, diluted in the range of Ef. 25 to Ef. 50, could improve yield and quality in broccoli and celery.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.652-658
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• 2013

A huge number of greenhouse soils in Korea have accumulated mineral elements which induce many nutritional and pathological problems. The present study was performed to the effects of the reduced fertilization on plant growth, and uptake and partitioning of minerals (N, P, K) and soluble carbohydrates using highly minerals-accumulated farmer's greenhouse soil. On the basis of the recommended application for tomato crop, the application rates of N, P and K were 110(50%)-5.2(5%)-41.5(35%)kg $ha^{-1}$, respectively, using Hoagland's nutrient solution. Tomato growth rates during the whole experiment were not significant between treatments, but it was found that a decrease in daily growth represented after 60 days of treatment (DAT). The reduced application led to a drastic decrease in the concentration of N, P and K in fruits, and, thus, this resulted in lower uptake after 40 DAT. The lower phloem export and utilization of soluble carbohydrates caused an accumulation of extra-carbohydrates in leaves, stems and fruits in the reduced application. The reduced fertilization induced the capture of N, P and K in leaves and of soluble carbohydrates in stems compared to the conventional application. In this study, we suggest that it is possible to delay the first fertigation time in minerals-accumulated soils without an adverse impact on crop growth, but it is necessary to regularly monitor mineral status in soil to ensure a balanced uptake, synthesis and partitioning of minerals and carbohydrates.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.675-679
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• 2009

We investigated how Germanium (Ge) application, and the application method, affected 'Niitaka' (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruit quality in a conventional orchard. Ge-treated pears weredark yellow in color, indicating appropriate maturation. Other fruit characteristics, and weight, did not significantly differ between tests and controls. Compared to controls, fruit from Ge-treated trees had more soluble solids, a lower acid content, and fewer stone cells, which reduced fruit chewiness. Ge-treated trees showed a higher Ge concentration in fruit but a lower calcium (Ca) concentration. Other fruit mineral nutrients, includingP, K, and Mg, did not differ in level between Ge-treated fruit and controls. Ge-treated fruit showed greater firmness and a heavier specific weight during 6 months of storage, compared to control fruit. Therefore, Ge treatment reduced fruit pithiness, which can be a problem in 'Niitaka' pears. Overall, there was no significant difference between Ge-treated and control fruit qualities, but a combined Ge treatment (fertilization plus foliar application plus trunk injection) slightly improved fruit quality.