• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.481-488
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to suggest how to manage healing forests. Field investigation and surveys were conducted to produce results and 313 questionnaires collected from workers in the forestry sector and ordinary people were analyzed. The results were as follows: it is required to preserve flowering plants, scenic trees, and ecological trees in the understory vegetation, and to remove trees that block the forest landscape, leaving about 50 to 60 percent of the understory vegetation. The preferred density order of broadleaf trees was analyzed as follows: Betula platyphylla > Liriodendron tulipifera > Quercus acutissima. The preferred density order of coniferous trees was analyzed as follows: Abies holophylla > Cryptomerias japonica and Chameacyparis obtusa > Larix kaempferi > Pinus densiflora > Pinus koraiensis. The preferred density in healing forests was 81-89% compared to the number of residual trees for quantitative thinning. Specifically, the preferred density were 87% for P. koraiensis, 86% for L. kaempferi, 81% for P. densiflora, 83% for C. japonica, 84% for C. obtusa and 89% for Q. acutissima. In the case of healing forests, it is recommended to periodically conduct a small-scale thinning with different densities according to the species and diameter of trees based on the results of this study.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.577-583
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• 2014

Benzyladenine (BA, 99% purity), MaxCel$^{(R)}$ (1.9% BA), Fruitone (3.5% NAA), MaxCel$^{(R)}$ + Fruitone, a nd s imazine were applied postbloom as fruitlet thinning agents to mature 'Hongro' and 'Fuji' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees. BA and MaxCel$^{(R)}$ were applied at $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ a.i. while Fruitone at $0.1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ a.i. and simazine at $400mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ a.i. All PGRs were applied at 8 days after full bloom (DAFB, 6 mm fruit diameter) in both cultivars, while simazine was treated twice at 7 and 14 DAFB. In 'Hongro', the number of total fruit set per flower cluster in terminal buds was 1.67, 1.84, and 1.81 in MaxCel$^{(R)}$ + F ruitone, MaxCel$^{(R)}$, and simazine applications, respectively, when compared with 2.35 of water control. These reductions in fruit set were mainly attributed to the increased ratio of defruited clusters by the thinning agents. In 'Fuji' apple, the number of total fruit set per flower cluster in terminal buds was 1.29, 1.60, and 1.76 in MaxCel$^{(R)}$ + Fruitone, Fruitone, and MaxCel$^{(R)}$, respectively, when compared with 2.56 of water control in 'Fuji' apple. The addition of Fruitone to the MaxCel$^{(R)}$ promoted the thinning efficacy in both cultivars, compared to MaxCel$^{(R)}$ only. The thinning efficacies were similarly observed with lateral flowers in both cultivars. A significant increase of fruit weight by the postbloom thinning treatments was observed only in the BA application in 'Hongro', while the effect was observed in BA and MaxCel$^{(R)}$ in 'Fuji'. While the soluble solids content increased in the BA, MaxCel$^{(R)}$ and MaxCel$^{(R)}$+Fruitone treatments in both cultivars, other fruit quality attributes were not affected by the application of post-bloom thinning agents.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Increase in the ratio of small berries in blueberry production decreases the farmers' profits due to weakening market competitiveness and lowering harvest efficiency. One of the reasons for increased small berries is over fruit-load. For improving productivity and competitiveness of blueberry in Korea, hand-thinning can be applied to increase fruit quality before the developing adequate chemical thinning methods. This study was conducted to investigate the proper timing and methods for floral buds thinning in rabbiteye blueberry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight years old bushes of rabbiteye bluberries 'Brightwell' as a primary cultivar and 'Powderblue' as a pollinizer were used for this study. Fruit size distribution by leaf-to-fruit ratio was investigated by counting the number of leaves and fruits in canes of 127 'Brightwell' plants whose fruit set varied. Fifty percent of flowers/floral buds were removed in four different floral buds stages such as bud swell, late pink bud, full bloom, and petal fall, and the consumed time for thinning and fruit characteristics were recorded to investigate the effect and proper timing of floral buds thinning. Fruit weight and soluble solids content tended to increase in proportion to leaf-to-fruit ratio and the production of the number of fruits less than 13 mm in diameter decreased when leaf-to-fruit ratio was more than 2.5. Manual floral buds thinning by hands was fastest in full bloom stage and slowest in bud swelling stage. In all cultivars, fruit size was significantly smaller in non-thinning treatment than thinning, and there was, however, no significant difference in total fruit yield. The number of fruits less than 13 mm in diameter increased in both cultivars as floral buds thinning was delayed. Consumed time for picking 90% berries out of total berries per bush was shortest in full bloom stage thinning in 'Brightwell' and bud swelling, full bloom thinning in 'Powderblue'. These were 25 and 20 days faster than no thinning, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the effect of floral buds thinning varied depending on the cultivars, our results confirmed that floral buds thinning was effective for the early intensive harvesting and the increase of the large fruit ratio and the harvesting productivity. Also, in order to increase thinning efficiency, it is recommended to remove the flower buds before the full bloom stage.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 1995

Characteristics of vegetative spur leaf, spur bud, fruiting supr leaf and flowering in relation to canopy position was investigated on order to promote better spur bud and flower bud differentiation on Citrus junos. There was no difference in vegetative spur leaf characteristics among directions. Vegetative spur leaf number and leaf area showed no difference between top and bottom position. There was no difference in spur bud size among directions, but spur bud at top was larger than that at bottom. Specific leaf weight of vegetative spur was mostly influenced by light interception, and leaf dry weight per spur average leaf dry weight, spur bud length and diameter had also a very high correlation with light interception rate. Shading and GA treatment in spur bud and flower bud differentiation was ineffective than natural light. Fruit thinning enhanced fruit quality as well as flower bud differentiation through an increase of leaf number per fruit, over 40 in Citrus junos.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.565-573
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• 2010

Thinning of apple fruitlets is one of the most laborious and important works for the improvement of fruit quality and for the promotion of sufficient flower bud formation to prevent alternate bearing in commercial cultivars. Lateral fruits of self-thinning apple cultivars fall naturally within 30 days after full bloom and only central fruit remains to mature. Differences of gene expression between central fruit and lateral fruit were investigated by differential display (DD) PCR. Partial cDNAs of 30 clones from the central fruit and 24 clones from the lateral fruit were selected for nucleotide sequence determination and homology searches. The levels of transcripts coding for proteins involved in pathogenesis related proteins, senescence, temperature stress, protein degradation, fruit browning, sorbitol metabolism were significantly higher in pedicels of lateral fruit than in pedicels of central fruit. On the other hand, the up-regulation of proteins involved in anthocyanin and flavanol biosynthesis and ethylene synthesis were observed in pedicels of central fruit. In Real time PCR analysis, cytochrome P450 gene was confirmed as showing a higher expression level in lateral fruit than in central fruit. The results of this study indicate that differentially expressed genes are related to self-thinning characteristics in apple tree.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.247-263
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• 2007

This study was complied to analyze the professional agricultural techniques level and to suggest a desirable direction for the professional education system for women farmer. The research was conducted by using in-field surveys and interviews. Data was gathered by questionnaire from 147 women farmer in five specialized crop regions: strawberry, cucumber, rose, apple, and oyster mushroom. The results obtained are as follows. First, the technique levels in computer usage and electronic commerce, machinery usage, pesticide and fertilizer utilization, facility automation, and eco-agricultural cultivation were low. Second, the demand for professional education, evaluated through technique level by standard management diagnosis, was recognized. Areas of concern included: cucumber (temperature control, carbonic acid gas control, grading, funds management), strawberry (light control, soil temperature control, irrigation watering, shipping), rose (temperature control, light control, funds management, cooperated management), oyster mushroom (growth cabinet sterilizer), and apple (flower bud pinching, defloration, fruit thinning, funds management). Based on the results of this study, the following are suggestions for the planning of a professional education system for women farmer. First, it needs to address formal education in marketing, machinery usage, facilities automation, and techniques in pesticide and fertilizer utilization. Second, it needs to be a multi- level program with appropriate terminology at every level which is suitable to each age and ability of women farmer. Third, it needs a more comprehensive manual developed by need analysis of women farmer and a larger lecturer pool for professional education.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.577-583
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• 2016

Small-sized persimmons produced by high crop load are better accepted in the export markets. However, maintaining high crop load frequently results in weakness of tree vigor, deterioration of fruit quality, and increase of the risks for alternate bearing. This experiment was conducted to determine the combined effects of fertilization rate and leaf-fruit (L/F) ratio on container-grown 3-year-old 'Fuyu' persimmon trees. Application of 3.6-g N, 2.1-g $P_2O_5$, 2.7-g $K_2O$, 2.7-g CaO, and 0.6-g MgO was for the control fertilization rate (CF) and that of a 3-fold CF was for the high fertilization rate (HF). Commercial fertilizers were surface-applied to a container on July 6, July 17, and August 10 in three equal aliquots. Single tree for each fertilization rate was assigned for 12 L/F ratios (5, 6.3, 7.7, 9, 10.4, 13, 15.5, 18, 21, 24, 27, and 33) mostly by fruit thinning or rarely by defoliation on July 1. HF did not affect the yield, weight and soluble solids of the fruits but decreased skin color. As L/F ratio increased, yield decreased but average weight, skin color, and soluble solids of fruits increased. With HF, N and K concentrations in leaves, fruits, and shoots increased to some extent but soluble sugars in dormant shoots decreased. Many shoots were cold-injured with low L/F ratio especially at the HF. HF did not increase number of flower buds the next spring either on a shoot or on a tree basis but increased shoot length, compared with the CF. Increasing L/F ratio markedly increased number of flower buds and shoot growth the following year at both fertilization rates. Therefore, an appropriate combination of fertilization rate and L/F ratio should be necessary to maintain stable fruit production and tree vigor at high crop load.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: The buds of persimmon trees are susceptible to cold damage, often with the late frost, at the time of budburst. This study was conducted to determine effect of the cold damage on shoot and fruit growth the current season. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Fuyu' trees, grown in 50-L pots, were placed for 1 h at $-2.2{\pm}0.5$, $-2.6{\pm}0.5$, or $-3.0{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ within a cold storage, at their budburst on April 5. Some trees under ambient temperature at $10-17^{\circ}C$ served as the control. Cold damage of the buds containing flower buds was 54% at $-2.2^{\circ}C$, and significantly increased to 95% at $-3.0^{\circ}C$. The bud damage included the complete death of all, complete death of main buds only, or the late and deformed shoot growth in the spring. Number of flower buds in early May dramatically decreased as the damage ratio increased. Since the thinning of flower buds in mid-May and fruitlets in early July was done in no or slightly damaged trees, the final number of fruits and yield did not decrease compared with the control when the damage increased by 60% and 70%, respectively. Average fruit weight and skin coloration tended to be better with increasing bud damage. Shoot growth was more vigorous in those trees whose buds were severely damaged by low temperature. CONCLUSION(S): Shoot growth and the yield may depend on the number of flower buds and percent fruit set after the cold damage.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: Though the biomass of floral vegetation in understory plant communities in a forested ecosystem only accounts for less than 1% of the total biomass of a forest, they contain most of the floral resources of a forest. The diversity of understory honey plants determines visitation rate of pollinators such as honey bee (Apis mellifera) as they provide rich food resources. Since the flower visitation and foraging activity of pollinators lead to the provision of pollination service, it also means the enhancement of plant-pollinator relationship. Therefore, an appropriate management scheme for understory vegetation is essential in order to conserve pollinator population that is decreasing due to habitat destruction and disease infection. This research examined the diversity of understory honey plant and studied how it is related to environmental variables such as (1) canopy density, (2) horizontal heterogeneity of canopy surface height, (3) slope gradient, and (4) distance from roads. Vegetation survey data of 39 plots of mixed forests in Chuncheon, Korea, were used, and possible management practices for understory vegetation were suggested. Results: This study found that 113 species among 141 species of honey plant of the forests were classified as understory vegetation. Also, the understory honey plant diversity is significantly positively correlated with distance from the nearest road and horizontal heterogeneity of canopy surface height and negatively correlated with canopy density. Conclusions: The diversity of understory honey plant vegetation is correlated to vegetation structure and human impact. In order to enhance the diversity of understory honey plant, management of density and height of canopy is necessary. This study suggests that improved diversity of canopy cover through thinning of overstory vegetation can increase the diversity of understory honey plant species.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.780-783
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• 2012

A new strawberry cultivar (Fragaria ${\times}$ ananassa Duch.) 'Okmae' was developed from a cross between 'Toyonoka' and 'Maehyang'. This cultivar has a good fruit quality and suitable number of flowers per cluster for labor saving in fruit thinning. 'Gyoengnam No. 1' was selected as an elite line with vigorous plant growth, higher soluble solids content and fruit firmness after examining its characteristics and productivity in forcing cultures from 2007 to 2009. Farmer's field trial of 'Gyoengnam No. 1' was conducted in 2010 and it was registered as 'Okmae' thereafter. The general characteristics of 'Okmae' are vigorous growth habit, erect plant type, less number of leaf and elliptic leaf shape. 'Okmae' has long peduncle and 9-10 flowers per flower cluster which need less labor for fruit thinning. Fruits of 'Okmae' are conical having a bright red and glossy skin color. Although 'Okmae' has a smaller average fruit number per plant of 21.9 than that of the control cultivars, it's possible to produce high yield because of greater fruit weight of 26.0 g. 'Okmae' showed a high soluble solids content of $11.6^{\circ}Brix$, low acidity of 0.37%, and high firmness of $14.5g{\cdot}mm^{-2}$. It is sensitive to anthracnose and powery mildews, but high-quality strawberry can be harvested by using effective control measure.