• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2010

We aimed to investigate the responses of soil organisms to cover plants and to provide information for the selection of proper plant species. We studied the effects of 7 cover plants, including rye, oat, rattail fescue, Chinese milk vetch, red clover, crimson clover, and hairy vetch, on soil organisms in an apple orchard. An increase in the microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) and in the number of nematodes and microarthropods in the soil under the cover plants reflects elevated activities of soil organisms. A decrease in the level of some marker PLFA, which is an indicator of environmental stress, suggests that cover plants provide favorable environments for soil organisms. The population of fungi and animals that feed on fungi increased in the soil surface under red clover. The population density of nematodes and mites increased in the soil surface under rattail fescue, and that of mites and omnivorous nematodes increased in the soil surface under Chinese milk vetch. The level of microbial PLFA in the soil surfaces under the tested cover plants was higher than that under clean culture system. These results suggest that proper selection of the cover plants can facilitate the creation of favorable environments for soil organisms.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.872-877
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• 2011

Cultivation of Korea ginseng in newly reclaimed and paddy-converted fields has been increasing, and evaluation of organic amendment effectiveness is needed in the two soil types. Soil organisms influence organic matter decomposition, and their responses to applications of organic matter were studied. De-oiled cake and compost were applied at $20Mg\;ha^{-1}$ and $40Mg\;ha^{-1}$ in both soil types. Changes in microflora were assessed by analyzing phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA). The abundance of nematodes and microarthropods was measured. Microbial PLFA indicators for microorganisms and microarthropod abundance were greater in reclaimed upland than in paddy-converted soil. There were few differences in the microflora and fauna of reclaimed uplands, regardless of treatment. In paddy-converted soil, the abundance of Oribatida was increased by the application of compost at $20Mg\;ha^{-1}$ and was correlated with PLFA indicators of fungi. The results suggested a minimal influence of organic amendments in reclaimed upland, because the organic matter content and abundance of soil organisms are low in mineral soils. In paddy-converted soil, the effects of organic amendment differ among different soil organisms, and soil properties are important mediators of the effect.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of reusable organic wastes, on soil organisms and chemical properties. Bone meal, de-oiled cake, and oyster shell were applied and abundances of soil organisms were measured at 3 and 15 months, after treatment in soil under sawleaf zelkova cultivation. Soil organisms are affected, by the quality of applied organic wastes. Abundance of microorganisms was higher in oyster shell treated soils than in untreated soils, suggesting that soil pH is a driving force, altering abundance and structure of the microbial community. Increase in abundance of bacterivorous nematodes was observed under treatment with bone meal and de-oiled cake, but there was slight change in abundance of fungivorous and herbivorous nematodes. Abundance of herbivorous nematode was positively correlated with plant growth, at 15 months after treatment. Response of microarthropods in the Collembola and Oribatida was not apparent. Abundances of primary consumers were not significantly correlated with microorganisms. This study suggested that organic waste influences soil organisms primarily by altering soil chemical properties and bottom-up effects may not occur in trophic reactions.