• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2018

This study set out to select a system to realize an optimal environment for strawberry cultivation greenhouses based on data about the growth and development of strawberry and its environment and to provide basic data for the research of its improved productivity. For these purposes, the investigator conducted a field survey with greenhouses for strawberry cultivation in western Gyeongnam. The findings show that farmers in their fifties and sixties accounted for the biggest part in the age groups of strawberry farmers. While those who were under 50 were accounted for approximately 67.5%, those who were 60 or older accounted for 32.5%. As for cultivation experiences, the majority of the farmers had ten years of cultivation experiences or less with some having 30 years of cultivation experiences or more. All the farmers built an arch type single span greenhouse. Those who used nutrient solutions were about 75.0%, being more than those who used soil. All of the farmers that used a nutrient solution adopted an elevated hydroponic system. The single span greenhouses were in the range of 7.5~8.5m, 1.3~1.8m and 2.5~3.5m for width, eaves, and ridge height, respectively, regardless of survey areas. The rafters interval was about 0.7~0.8m. In elevated hydroponic cultivation, the width, height, and interval of the beds were about 0.25m, 1.2m and 1.0m, respectively. As for the strawberry varieties, the domestic ones accounted for approximately 97.5% with Seolhyang being the most favorite one at about 65.0%. As for the internal environment factors of greenhouses, 38 farmers measured only temperature and relatively humidity. As for hydroponics, the farmers used a hydroponics control system. Except for the farmers that introduced a smart farm system for temperature and humidity control, approximately 85.0% controlled temperature and humidity only with a control panel for side windows and ventilation fans. As for heating and heat insulation, all of the farmers were using water curtains with many farmers using an oil or electric boiler, radiating lamp or non-woven fabric, as well, when necessary.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 1999

This study was aimed to introduce the measurement of $CO_2$ concentration and leaf area index in the phytotron for predicting the effect of CO.E, light and leaf area index on the instantaneous photosynthetic rate of sweet pepper with the existing ASKAM model. Measurements were made in 2 semi-closed phytotron compartments in which three different $CO_2$ concentrations were applied at random. Plants were grown on containers with circulating nutrient solution at 21$^{\circ}C$ and 80-95% relative humidity. The model estimates crop net $CO_2$ uptake for short time intervals during the day based on short-term data of daily radiation, temperature and $CO_2$ concentration. During the photosynthesis measurements, $CO_2$ concentrations in both compartments and in the basement were measured every minute. This was also done for the flow of pure $CO_2$ into the compartment, global radiation, photosynthetic active radiation inside the compartment, temperature and relative humidity. Crop growth models summarize our knowledge on crop behavior and have as such a wide range of applications in analysis, crop management and thus as a farm management tool.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2002

Ninety pre-puberal (6-7 months) female and 15 pre-puberal male Black Bengal goats were collected on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics from different parts of Bangladesh. Goats were reared under semi-intensive management, in permanent house. The animals were vaccinated against Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR), drenched with anthelmentics and deeped in 0.5% Melathion solution. They were allowed to graze 6-7 h along with supplemental concentrate and green forages. Concentrates were supplied either 200-300 g/d (low level feeding) or quantity that supply NRC (1981) recommended nutrient (high level of feeding). Different physiological, productive and reproductive characteristics of the breed were recorded. At noon (temperature=$95^{\circ}F$ and light intensity=60480 LUX) rectal temperature and respiration rate of adult male and female increased from 100.8 to $104.8^{\circ}F$ and 35 to 115 breath/min, indicated a heat stress situation. Young female attain puberty at an average age and weight of 7.2$\pm$0.18 months and 8.89$\pm$0.33 kg respectively. Mean age and weight at 1st kidding were 13.5$\pm$0.49 months and 15.3$\pm$0.44 kg respectively. It required 1.24-1.68 services per conception with an average gestation length of 146 days. At low level of feeding the postpartum estrus interval was 37$\pm$2.6 days, which reduced (p<0.05) with high feeding level to 21$\pm$6.9 days. Kidding interval also reduced (p<0.05) from 192 d at low feeding level to 177 d at high feeding level. On an average there were two kiddings/doe/year. Average litter sizes in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th parity were 1.29, 1.71, 1.87 and 2.17 respectively. Birth weights of male and female kids were 1.24 and 1.20 kg respectively, which increased (p<0.05) with better feeding. Although kid mortality was affected (p<0.05) by dam's weight at kidding, birth weight of kid, milk yield of dam, parity of kidding, season of birth, but pre-netal dam's nutrition found to be the most important factor. Kid mortality reduced from 35% at low level of feeding to 6.5% at high level of feeding of dam during gestation. Apparently, this was due to high (p<0.05) average daily milk yield (334 vs. 556 g/d) and heavier and stronger kid at birth at high feeding level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 1987

There are differences in opinion as to whether nitrogen fertilizer should be used when establishing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Various reports show that under a hot environment, rhizobia (Rhizobium meliloti) are not as effective in fixing atmospheric nitrogen as they are under moderate temperatures. It is also believed that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer inhibits nodulation of alfalfa seedlings. A replicated experiment was conducted under controlled environmental conditions at the University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA, to determine the effects of nitrogen application on seedling growth and nodulation of alfalfa grown in a hot environment. Sterile sand was used as the growing media to which a complete nutrient solution minus nitrogen was applied volumetrically to each pot daily. In addition, half of the pots received NH4-$NO_3$, at the rate of 11.2 kg per ha at seeding and at two and four weeks after planting giving a total nitrogen application rate of 33.6 kg per ha during the seven-week experimental period. Rhizobia inoculant (R-12) consisted of a mixture of strains 171-15a, 1682c and 80 PI 265 of (Rhizobium meliloti). Inoculant was applied to the seeds prior to planting and to the sand media at two and four weeks after seeding. Twenty seeds were planted in pots 14.0 cm in diameter and 11.5 cm deep. Plants were thinned to ten plants per pot after emergence and were grown in a controlled environment chamber with a 16-hour light period. Soil temperature at 6 cm depth ranged from 17.4^{\circ}C.$ to 31.1^{\circ}C.$ and had a daily mean of 26.5^{\circ}C.$. Plants were harvested at weekly intervals for seven weeks. Root, shoot and total length, dry weight, volume and number of nodules per plant were determined. Root, shoot, and total length were greater in seedlings grown in soil where nigrogen was applied than that grown in soil to which no nitrogen was applied. The average size of the seedlings as determined by volume and weight was more than two times greater where plants were fertilized with nitrogen. Nodule number per seedling was also greater when nitrogen was applied compared to those which received no nitrogen. The differences were greater as the plants became older. The rhizobia did not fix enough nitrogen for adequate growth of seedlings. This is probably due to high temperature growing conditions that caused the rhizobia to become relatively ineffective as compared to cooler growing conditions. Data suggests it would be desirable to apply nitrogen at seeding when alfalfa is established under hot conditions that occur in mid- or late summer.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.151-156
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• 2002

Root zone cooling, such as soil or nutrient solution cooling, is less expensive than air cooling in the whole greenhouse and is effective in promoting root activity, improving water absorption rate, decreasing plant temperature, and reducing high temperature stress. The heat transfer of a soil cooling system in a plastic greenhouse was analyzed to estimate cooling loads. The thermal conductivity of soil, calculated by measured heat fluxes in the soil, showed the positive correlation with the soil water content. It ranged from 0.83 to 0.96 W.m$^{[-10]}$ .$^{\circ}C$$^{[-10]}$ at 19 to 36％ of soil water contents. As the indoor solar radiation increased, the temperature difference between soil surface and indoor air linearly increased. At 300 to 800 W.m$^{-2}$ of indoor solar radiations, the soil surface temperature rose from 3.5 to 7.$0^{\circ}C$ in bare ground and 1.0 to 2.5$^{\circ}C$ under the canopy. Cooling loads in the root zone soil were estimated with solar radiation, soil water content, and temperature difference between air and soil. At 300 to 600 W.m$^{-2}$ of indoor solar radiations and 20 to 40％ of soil water contents,46 to 59 W.m$^{-2}$ of soil cooling loads are required to maintain the temperature difference of 1$0^{\circ}C$ between indoor air and root zone soil.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.406-411
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• 2011

This study was conducted to find out the effect of cut-off period (0 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours) to supply nutrient solution for chicon forcing at that was predrying treatment on the storability of chicon. The cut-off treatment increased dry matter rate, respiration rate, and ethylene production rate. The dry matter rate of chicon increased, as the cut-off period increased, but the respiration rate and ethylene production rate of chicon was highest in 12 hours and 6 hours cut-off treatment, respectively, and then their rates decreased, as the cut-off period prolonged. The weight loss at cut-off 6 hours treatment was lower than other treatments during $10^{\circ}C$ storage temperature. The cut-off 6 hours treatment showed higher carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration in 10,000 cc/$m^2$/day/atm oxygen permeability film package during storage period than control and showed a little predrying effect but was not statistically significant. At $4^{th}$ day, the ethylene concentration reached higher than other storage day and after that decreased but was not statistically significant. The quality of chicon for 3 hours, 6 hours, 24 hours cut-off treatments on storability showed higher than other treatments, accordingly. The 6 hours cut-off treatment showed the inhibited effect of the degree of browning of chicon cutting plane. The effect of 6 hours cut-off treatment on storability of chicon showed proper predrying effect, reduced moisture loss and browning inhibition apparently during $10^{\circ}C$ storage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.444-451
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• 2022

Recently, long-term cultivation is becoming more common with the increase in tomato hydroponics. In hydroponics, it is very important to supply an appropriate nutrient solution considering the nutrient and moisture requirements of crops, in terms of productivity, resource use, and environmental conservation. Since seasonal environmental changes appear severely in long-term cultivation, it is so critical to manage irrigation control considering these changes. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of irrigation volume on growth and yield in tomato long-term cultivation using coir substrate. The irrigation volume was adjusted at 4 levels (high, medium high, medium low and low) by different irrigation frequency. Irrigation scheduling (frequency) was controlled based on solar radiation which measured by radiation sensor installed outside the greenhouse and performed whenever accumulated solar radiation energy reached set value. Set value of integrated solar radiation was changed by the growing season. The results revealed that the higher irrigation volume caused the higher drainage rate, which could prevent the EC of drainage from rising excessively. As the cultivation period elapsed, the EC of the drainage increased. And the lower irrigation volume supplied, the more the increase in EC of the drainage. Plant length was shorter in the low irrigation volume treatment compared to the other treatments. But irrigation volume did not affect the number of nodes and fruit clusters. The number of fruit settings was not significantly affected by the irrigation volume in general, but high irrigation volume significantly decreased fruit setting and yield of the 12-15th cluster developed during low temperature period. Blossom-end rot occurred early with a high incidence rate in the low irrigation volume treatment group. The highest weight fruits was obtained from the high irrigation treatment group, while the medium high treatment group had the highest total yield. As a result of the experiment, it could be confirmed the effect of irrigation amount on the nutrient and moisture stabilization in the root zone and yield, in addition to the importance of proper irrigation control when cultivating tomato plants hydroponically using coir substrate. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the research on this topic, as it is judged that the precise irrigation control algorithm based on root zone-information applied to the integrated environmental control system, will contribute to the improvement of crop productivity as well as the development of hydroponics control techniques.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.250-255
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• 2012

The effect of different source silicon ($CaSiO_3$, $K_2SiO_3$, and $NaSiO_3$) and their application methods (foliar application and subirrigation) on the growth of potted kalanchoe was investigated. Rooted terminal cuttings of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Peperu' were transplanted into 10.5 cm plastic pots containing a commercial growing medium. Then, a nutrient solution, containing 0 or $50mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Si as $K_2SiO_3$, $Na_2SiO_3$, or $CaSiO_3$ and adjusted to EC 1.4-$1.6mS{\cdot}cm^{-1}$ and pH 6.0, was supplied through subirrigation along with the nutrient solution or by a foliar application. Plants were grown in a glasshouse under a mean temperature of $23^{\circ}C$ and RH of 70-80%. After 12 weeks of cultivation, plant growth characteristics and leaf tissue contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, and Si were measured. Both subirrigational supply and foliar application of Si decreased the plant height and flower stem length. However, the plant condition in the foliar application resulted in disease-like soft rot on the leaf. Among three silicon sources tested, $CaSiO_3$ supplied through a subirrigation system increased shoot tissue contents of Si and chlorophyll as compared to the $Na_2SiO_3$ or $K_2SiO_3$ treatment. Shoot tissue contents of Ca, K, and Na increased when the plant was supplied with $CaSiO_3$, $K_2SiO_3$, and $Na_2SiO_3$, respectively. Subirrigational supply of $K_2SiO_3$ and $NaSiO_3$ decreased the shoot tissue contents of Ca and Mg, and K and Ca, respectively. Therefore, $CaSiO_3$ supplied through a subirrigation system could improve plant quality of kalanchoe 'Peperu' making compact potted plants.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2018

Using cylindrical paper pot nursery method, three kinds of commercial tomatoes 'Dafnis', 'DOTAERANG DIA' and 'Maescala' were grafted onto a commercial rootstock 'B blocking'. From 10 to 40 days after graft-take, growth traits of seedlings were investigated by 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0S treatments of standard nutrient solution(S) for seedling growth, and top to root ratio(TRR), compactness(CP) and Dickson Quality Index(DQI) were calculated. Two weeks after transplanting of the seedlings under three different night temperature targeting to 10, 15, and $25^{\circ}C$, which were not precisely controlled, the relative growth rate (RGR) was investigated. The quantitative growth traits of grafted seedlings increased with increasing fertilizer concentration, and various range of seedling size could be produced. Compactness and DQI were significantly regressed (Adj $R^2=0.9480$). Short-term RGR after transplanting was higher at 1.0S treatment of standard nutrient solution at the seedling age of 30 days and 40 days after graft-take(DAGT). DQI and RGR were significantly regressed linearly at respective fertigation strength. Specially the diminishing slope of RGR was lower at 1.0S fertigation strength with the increase of DQI than others. The results indicate that DQI could be applied as a quality index of grafted tomato seedlings and the relation analysis between DQI and short-term RGR also could be used to determine the good quality seedlings of grafted tomato grown in cylindrical paper pot.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.335-341
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• 2021

In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of high- temperature stress on paprika in a semi-closed greenhouse where cooling is available and a normal plastic greenhouse. Paprika grown in a semi-closed greenhouse in which geothermal cooling is provided showed a significantly higher speed of photosynthesis than paprika grown in a 3-layer plastic greenhouse in which there is no cooling system. It suggests that the photosynthesis speed of paprika in a plastic house decreases owing to high temperature stress. Plant height increased by 13cm more in the semi-closed greenhouse, and the size of leaf showed similar growth speed until the 2nd week after transplanting, however, after 3 weeks, the semi-closed greenhouse showed a big difference by 47% compared with the plastic greenhouse. In terms of the fruit count, the semi-closed greenhouse had 10.6 fruits/plant and the plastic greenhouse had 4.6 fruits/plant, indicating that the semi-closed greenhouse had a higher number of fruits by 130% than the plastic greenhouse. The fruit weight also presented a difference between the semi-closed greenhouse and the plastic greenhouse by 46%, which is 566.7g/plant and 387g/plant, respectively. According to the above mentioned results, it was validated that when paprika is cultivated in a semi-closed greenhouse where a cooling system is applied, photosynthesis and growth were better than in the normal plastic greenhouse. Thus, if the hot summer season is overcome by applying the elemental technologies for the cooling system to the normal plastic greenhouse, farm income may increase through improvement in the yield and quality.