• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2023

Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) are hydrophilic molecules that can absorb large amounts of water. This study was conducted to investigate the enhancement of the physicochemical properties of sand soil blended with three SAPs imbibed with 100, 150, and 200-fold water. Three treatments were applied, namely, 100SAP, 150SAP, and 200SAP. The three SAPs were blended at concentrations of 0% (control), 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10% with sand. The pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) of soil blended with the three SAPs were pH 6.35-6.46, 0.09-0.65 dS/m, and 1.42-1.92 cmol_c/kg, respectively, and their capillary porosity, total porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were 21.0-29.3%, 39.2-48.7%, and 272-470 mm/hr. CEC, capillary porosity, total porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil were positively correlated with the ratio of the SAPs (p<0.01). These results indicate that blending sand soil with SAPs increased CEC, capillary porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, thus improving the nutrient-retention capacity, water-retention capacity, and permeability of the soil.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 1975

Since the importance of casing in fruit body formation of Agaricus bisporus has been emphasized, physico-chemical characteristics of casing materials were discussed by many workers and a mixture of peat and mineral soil as proper casing material has been adopted in many of mushroom growing countries. Because of limited resources of peat in Korea, it is necessary to find practical performance and substitutional materials for casing. The effect of casing on mycelial growth and mushroom yield of A. bisporus varied with materials, its combination and practices etc. The experiments to be discussed in this paper are concerned with pH and Ca of casing material which influence A bisporus, and changes of physico-chemical characteristics with mixing ratio of casing materials and its effect on A. bisporus. The optimum range of moisture content of each material, management of watering and application of physico-chemical characteristics casing materials was also investigated and re-use of weathered spent compost for casing material was described. 1. The effect of calcium on mycelial growth of A. bisporus at various pH in Halbschalentest showed different results with calcium sources. Best results were obtained around neutrality and fresh weight of fruit bodies grown in the range of pH 7 to 8 was highest among the tested levels. 2. Available moisture, pore space, organic matter, cation exchangeable capacity and exchangeable cation was increased by an increase of mixing ratio of peat in casing materials, while an adverse effect was obtained by addition of sand. 3. Mycelial growth on clay loam was more rapid at a lower bulk density of 0.75g/cc and at 20% moisture content on a dry weight basis at the same bulk density. 4. Mixing ratio of casing materials, 60 to 80 per cent by volume of peat mixed with 20 to 40 per cent of clay loam produced the highest yield of fresh fruit bodies and sand the lowest. However, per cent of open cap was highest in peat and lowest in sand. 5. Days required for fruit body initiation was shortened in mixtures of peat and clay loam by one to three days compared with other materials and the formation of flushes was clear. 6. The effect of some physico-chemical characteristics of casing materials on the fresh weight of fruit bodies were estimated by a multiple regression equation; Y=-923.86+$8.18X_1+8.04X_2+7.90X_3+0.12X_4+2.03X_5-0.82X_6-0.54X_7$ where $X_1,X_2,X_3,X_4,X_5,X_6,X_7$ are sand, silt, clay, available moistuer, porosity, organic matter and exchangeable cation respectively. The productivity of certain casing material could be predicted from this equation. 7. Fresh weight of fruit bodies was positively correlated with porosity exchangeable cation, organic matter, available moisture, silt and clay of materials; while sand was negatively correlated. On the contrary, sand was the unique factor reducing per cent of open cap. 8. Distribution of three phases of high productive casing material was concentrated in the range of 10 to 30 per cent solids, 15 to 30 per cent liquids, and 50 to 60 per cent in air volume. 9. Fresh weight of fruit bodies from peat was not affected with heavy watering but in clay loam and sandy loam severe crop losses occurred. Fresh weight of individual fruit was increased and open caps were decreased with heavy watering but light watering resulted in adverse effects: its effect was especially great in peat. 10. Optimum range of moisture content by weight on a dry basis was different with each casing material. To maintain optimum moisture content concerned with yield of fruit bodies and open cap, sandy loam and peat mixtures required daily watering of 0.6, 0.6 to 1. 2 and 1.2 to 2.4 liters per $3.3m^2$ of bed area, respectively. 11. Maximum yield of fruit body was recorded in the range of pF 2. 0 to 2. 5 of casing materials if organic matter content was below 4.2 per cent and in pF 1. 3 to 1.8 if above 7.1%. 12. pF curve of a certain casing material could be draws from moisture content at various pF values by multiple regression equations provided texture, organic matter and calcium of the casing material are given. Optimum moisture range of the casing materials also could be estimated by the equation. 13. It was possible to improve the phyico-chemical characteristics of clay loam and sandy loam by addition of weathered spent compost although the effect was less than in the case of peat. Fresh weight of fruit bodies wsa increased by addition of weathered spent compost but its effect was not as remarkable as peat. Accordingly, further studies will be required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.592-613
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• 2013

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristic, and ordination of forest in Hongdo island and the results are as follows: Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii community, Quercus acuta community, Machilus thunbergii community, Pinus densiflora community and Carpinus coreana community. The results of importance value on the vegetation of Hongdo island consisted of the following in order: 75.56% of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii, the highest, 34.84% of Pinus densiflora, 29.11% of Machilus thunbergii, 26.88% of Camellia japonica, 17.79% of Quercus acuta, 15.23% of Dendropanax morbifera, 13.41% of Ligustrum japonicum, 12.67% of Carpinus coreana. Due to the high organic matter, total nitrogen and low pH, the soil properties of Hongdo island are different from those of other forest in Korea. The composition of soil properties in the same areas are as follows: organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable $K^+$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ contained, and soil pH. The capacities of these chemical properties of the soil ranged from 14.48~25.45%, 0.49~0.90%, 26.00~58.68 mg/kg, $0.64{\sim}1.64cmol^+/kg$, $6.22{\sim}21.5cmol^+/kg$, $2.92{\sim}6.95cmol^+/kg$, and 4.42~5.44 respectively. The results of the correlation between communities and soil conditions of vegetation of Hongdo island by DCCA ordination method are as follows: Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii community was found in the highest soil moisture and followed in order Machilus thunbergii community, Quercus acuta community. The Machilus thunbergii community was found in the highest pH, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$, exchangeable $K^+$ and cation exchange capacity. The Carpinus coreana community was found in the highest elevation, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ and followed in order Pinus densiflora community.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Use of de-icing salts results in accumulation of high concentrations of ions on roadside soils and tree. The purpose of this study isto determine translocation of seasonal impact of exchangeable cations originating from de-icing salt on roadside surface soil-plant influenced by the intensity of foliar damage (NY = 0-25%, SY = 26-50%, CY = 51-75%) of trees. This paper investigated the concentration of four exchangeable cations ($K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Na^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$) on the roadside surface soil. The tree (Ginko biloba) samples were collected from the Konkuk and Judeok intersections in Chung-ju city. The sequential extraction procedure was applied to 120 soil samples of the soilsurface and 30 tree samples. Four cation exchange ions were determined by ICP-OES. The content of four exchangeable cations present on roadside soil was found to be the lowest in NY but highest in CY from tree pits in the order of NY < SY < CY. Especially, the results were apparent during spring time compared to other seasons. Soil collected from tree pits had the highest concentration of $Ca^{2+}$ possibly due to a higher volume of traffic on those streetsresulting in splashing of more calcium chloride ($CaCl_2$). The analysis of three exchangeable cations ($K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Na^+$) in the tree leaves revealed higher levels than roadside surface soil when foliar damage ratio increased in the order of NY < SY < CY in summer. In addition, a strong positive linear relationship was observed between the concentration of exchangeable cations in soil and trees. It is hypothesized that the results of this study can be a valuable baseline for managing de-icing salt on roadside soil and trees, in order to mitigate the salt stress that can damage the roadside soil and trees.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects on soil chemical properties and plant growth after applying soldier fly compost (SFC). Treatments were as follows. No fertilizer (NF), control, SFC1 (SFC 250 kg/10a), SFC2 (SFC 500 kg/10a) and SFC3 (SFC 1,000 kg/10a). As compared to control in the pot test, organic matter (OM) and exchangeable sodium (Ex-Na) of SFC3 treatment were increased, and growth and nutrient uptake of young radish were not significantly different. Correlation coefficient between soil chemical factors like total nitrogen (T-N), OM, and CEC and uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was significantly positive (p≤0.05). Compared to control in the field test, electrical conductivity, T-N, OM, Av.-P₂O₅, and CEC was increased, and lettuce growth was not significantly different. Correlation coefficient between application amount of SFC and T-N, OM, and Av.-P₂O₅ was significant positively (p≤0.05). These results indicated that the application of SFC improved nutrient availability of soil by increasing OM and CEC.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.929-938
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• 2016

This study reviewed the external morphological characteristics of a rare species, Exochorda serratifolia S.Moore, in South Korea through a comparison of its previous records. Also, a distribution map of this species was made using previous data on flora and voucher specimens. Furthermore, the soil characteristics of Exochorda serratifolia S.Moore was analysed in order to determine the correlation between external morphological features and soil characteristics. At the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphates, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were found to be in the ranges of 3.25-29.83%, 0.15-1.14%, 3.0-156 mg/kg, $0.39-1.49cmol^+/kg$, $2.48-38.07cmol^+/kg$, $0.77-18.29cmol^+/kg$, $7.3-23.0cmol^+/kg$ and 4.6-7.1 respectively. The soil condition surrounding the population of Exochorda serratifolia S.Moore in Mt. Ap-san (Daegu) was found to have higher percentages of organic matter, total nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity than the soil condition of other populations. Moreover, the length of inflorescence and the number of flowers in this population were significantly higher than the populations studied in other areas (P < 0.001). We also identified a significant correlation between genetic, geographic distance and several morphological characteristics. A comprehensive review of various data on Exochorda serratifolia S.Moore such as external morphological characteristics, genetic structure, growth conditions, vegetation properties, and environmental characteristics is required to understand its growth characteristics and conserve this rare species.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1984

Soils in Cheju Island, derived mostly from volcanic ashes, were collected for chemical analysis to determine the effect of land utilization pattern on soil chemical characteristics. The coastal area has long been used for intensive farming and some of the mid-mountain region were recently reclaimed for agricultural crop production. The cation exchange capacity and the organic matter in the soils increased in the order of coastal area < mid-mountain belt < upper mountain area, while pH, base saturation, available phosphorus and exchangeable bases decreased with the elevation. Generally, the organic matter, the cation exchange capacity and the exchangeable bases of the Cheju soils were found to be considerably higher than the Korean mainland soils. However, the base saturation and the available phosphorus were far below the mainland average. The ratio of monovalent basic cations to total exchangeable bases showed the highest in the soils of the mountain belts and the lowest in the coastal area soils. These data suggest that a higher soil pH in the coastal area as compared to the mountainous slopes has resulted not from the sea water but from continuous application of alkaline fertilizers and times.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of native Asparagus cochinchinensis and ecological characteristic in South Korea. Natural vegetative areas were investigated at 5 areas; Taean, Buan, Geoje, Namhae and Jindo. In this study, the $5m{\times}5m$ quadrat was established for recording coverage and appearance species by phytosociological method. The flora of the studied area in native habitats were listed as 130 species. The native habitats was classified into Pinus thunbergii community and typical community. Two communities were located in a coastal cliff and have been destroyed. Therefore Asparagus cochinchinensis native habitats must be protected by regulation. In the studied sites, soil pH, organic matter, nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable K, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg and cation exchange capacity were ranged from $5.1{\sim}5.7%$, $1.77{\sim}3.59%$, $0.19{\sim}0.54%$, $5.4{\sim}18.7$ (mg/kg), $0.24{\sim}0.48$ (cmol+/kg) $0.76{\sim}2.83$ (cmol+/kg), $3.11{\sim}6.22$ (cmol+/kg) and $8.7{\sim}24.5$(cmol+/kg), respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.83-108
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• 1989

To discern general tendency in relatively pure even-aged pine stands, to group the stands and to perceive neighbourhood effects a total of 39 sites of pine stand was surveyed from nearby Seoul (12 sites), Chunsung, Kangwon (13 sites) and Sosan, Chungnam (14 sites), for herb and shrub species 32, 19; 37, 19 and 41, 14 in the respective areas from September 1987 to July 1988. In terms of detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA), the stands were subjected to ordinate with 16 physical variables and the vegetational variables. The resource ratio (N:P, N:K, P:K) as physical variables also was tried out in the DECORANA as well as independent variable (N.P.K). The outcome did not show any meaningful difference. It is suggested that there seems to be no apparent interaction among the elements in the study. Three vertical vegetation componeent, that is, tree layer, shrub layer, herb layer were subjccted to DECORANA independently, pairwisely and as a whole (a total 7 combinations). Of those analysis herb layer trial alone seems to indicate relatively clearer differences among the physical variables. In the stands nearby Seoul first axis indicated soil field capacity and exchangeable cations (K, Ca and Na) and second axis did not show any tendency. For the Chunsung stands first axis also revealed soil field capcity and amount of arganic matter and second axis showed amount of exchangeable cation (K, Ca and Na), In the Seosan 1st axis indicated pH and exchangeable cations (K, Ca and Na). For the 39 sites 4 clusters in terms of herb layer might be defined: Peucedanum terebinthaceum-Cymbopogon tortilis-Polygala japonica-Festuca ovina (1); Atractylodes japonica-Patrina scabiosaefolia (2); Potentilla fragarioides-Atractylodes (3); and Cymbopogon tortilis (4). In the neighbourhood effects study in terms of the basal area distribution, Thiessen polygon area and Gini coefficient for the Pinus thunbergii stands of Seosan the Thiessen polygon area approach seems to indicate earlier (30 years old) neighbourhood effect than the others (45 years).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.86-94
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• 2006

This study was to analyze vegetation and soil characteristic, and ordination of Bupleurum euphorbioides community located in Mt. Seorak area, Mt. Sobaek area, and Mt. South Deogyu area. Bupleurum euphorbioides community was classified into Carex lanceolata subcommunity and Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. alpinum subcommunity, and Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. alpinum subcommunity was classified into Calamagrostis arundinacea and Carex breviculmis group. In the study sites, soil organic matter, nitrogen, available phosphorous, changeable potassium, changeable calcium, changeable magnesium concentration, cation exchange capacity, and soil pH were ranged from 9.0~15.2%, 0.32~0.47%, 3.0~8.6ppm, 0.3~0.9me/100g, 0.5~1.5me/100g, 0.2~0.6me/100g, 11.4~16.1me/100g, and 4.3~4.6, respectively. And, soil texture was sandy loam or loam. The Carex breviculmis group of Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. alpinum subcommunity was found in area of high elevation and had high exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg concentration. The Calamagrostis arundinacea group of Chrysanthemum zawadskii var.alpinum subcommunity was found in area of low elevation and had lower exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg concentration than in the other subcommunity. The Carex lanceolata subcommunity was found in area of medium elevation and had medium exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg concentration. The Carex lanceolata subcommunity was located in a path of top the mountain peak, and has been destroyed. We need any action to protect the subcommunity.