• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 1998

An Aero-NFT nutriculture system using microcomputer for cultivation of greenhouse melon was developed and the performance of the system was evaluated through experiments. The system could control temperature, EC and pH of the nutrient solution within the error ranges of $\pm$ 0.2$^{\circ}C$, $\pm$ 0.2 mS/cm, $\pm$ 0.1 pH, respectively. The results of cultivation experiment showed that temperature, EC and pH of the nutrient solution were generally controlled within the setting ranges during cultivation period. The growth results were good until pinching, but the fruit quality of melons was not high except sweetness and shape. To optimize performance of the system, more techlical information for nutriculture of greenhouse melon was needed.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2017

The nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) accumulation of hydroponically grown leafy vegetables may increase in the condition of a closed-type plant production system with low light intensity due to low activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation and the use of $NO_3-N$ as major nitrogen source. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of light intensities, nutrient solution compositions and the time of nutrient solution removal before harvest on nitrate contents of hydroponically-grown lettuces in a closed plant production system. The reduction of nitrate contents in leafy lettuces 'Cheongchima' was higher in the treatments of 'TW' (nutrient solution removal) and '$(NH_4)_2CO_3$' (use of ammonium carbonate as nitrogen source) than those in other treatments, which significantly lowered fresh weight and leaf area of the plants. In the light intensity of $100{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, the nitrate content was effectively reduced without causing any growth retardation, by substitution of the nutrient solution composition that $NO_3-N$ was removed ('$NO_3-N$ removal' treatment) or the half strength of standard nutrient solution was applied ('1/2 S' treatment), for 7days before harvest. The effects of light intensity and the time of nutrient solution removal before harvest on growth and nitrate contents in leafy lettuces were investigated. The nitrate contents in leaves under the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ before nutrient solution removal were lower than those of 100 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. The removal of nutrient solution for 7 days before harvest quickly reduced the amount of nitrates in leaves in all the light intensities with a greater degree under the $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ of light condition, while the 7 days-removal with both 200 and $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ of light conditions caused decrease in 16~31% of leaf area and 20~35% of fresh weight, compared to the 3 days-removal treatment. The nitrate contents were greatly reduced from 3,018 to 1,035 in $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and 2,021 to 480 ppm in the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, with the nutrient solution removal for 3 days before harvest, without causing any deterioration in growth and product quality. The vitamin C contents in leaves were higher in the treatment of nutrient solution removal for both 3 and 5 days before harvest with the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ than those in the light condition of 100 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.222-227
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• 2007

In this study, nutrient solution for Liliaceae (Chinese chive) leafy vegetable was developed. The various strength (1/2, 1 and 3/2) of nutrient solution recommended by National Horticultural Research Institute (NSH) was applied to the crops in deep flow technique (DFT) system for 42 days. The growth of Chinese chive were highest in the treatment of 1/2 strength. The proper constitution of nutrient solution developed for liliaceae crops (NSL) was N 12, P 2.5, K 7, Ca 4 and Mg 2 met. The crops were grown two times in March and September to examine the appropriateness of the NSC. As a result, the relative growth rate and the amount of chlorophyll (SPAD value)of Chinese chive treated with NSL were increased 1.11 times. The most important nutrient factor of ascorbic acid were also increased 1.16 times.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of simulated acid solution(SAS) on acid buffering capacity, chlorophyll content and butrient leacking in 4 herb species(Petunia hybrida Vilm, Gomphrena globosa L. Celosia cristat L. Salvia officinallis L) . The acid buffering capacity in the leves was increased in the treatment of pH 3.0 in Celosia L., whereas it was increased at pH 4.0 in Petunia Petunia hybrida Vilm. and Gomprean globosa L.. But, the acid buffering capacity of the leaves did not work at ph 2.0 treatment in 4 herb species. With decreasing pH level, the chlorophyll content of Petunia hybrida Vilm. and Gomphrena globosa L. Was markedly decreased than that of Gelosia cristata L. and Savia officinalis L. As the pH levels decreased from 5.6 to 2.0 the nutrient leaching from leaves was significantly increased in 4 herb species. In pH 4.0 and 5.6, the concentrations of nutrient leaching from leaves were higher in Perunia hybrida Vilm. and Gomphrean globosa L. than Gelosia cristata L. and Salvia officinalis L., Based on the results, there was a great differences in response to SAS among the 4 herb species. Im general, Gelosia cristata L. and Salvia officinalis L. represented a higher tolerance to SAS Petunia hybrida Vilm, and Gomphrena globosa L..

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1997

This experiment was conducted to find out the compositions of nutrient solution for closed system in substrate culture of cucumber. Cucumber(Cucumis sativus L. cv. Eunsung baekdadagi) plants were grown in the substrates supplied with the nutrient solutions whose strengths were 1/2, 1, and 3/2 of the original concentration developed by National Horticultural Research Station in Japan. By increasing the nutrient concentrations, plant height decreased but leaf length, leaf width, and leaf number showed little differences. A number of marketable fruit and marketable yield were the highest in the concentration of 1 strength. The nutrient compositions of solution developed for closed system in cucumber substrate culture were N 11.4, P 3.3, K 6.0, Ca 4.5, and Mg 3.5 me.$\ell$$^{-1}$ during the vegetative growth period and N 10.4, P 3.3, K 5.0, Ca 4.5, and Mg 3,5 me.$\ell$$^{-1}$ during the reproductive growth period. To examine the suitability of nutrient solution developed in the above experiment, cucumber plants were grown in the substrates supplied with different solutions and concentrations - Yamasaki's nutrient solution(Yamasaki) of 1 S, nutrient solution of Research Station for Greenhouse Vegetable and Floriculture on the Netherlands(PTG) of 1 S, nutrient solution developed in the above experiment(SCU) of 1/2, 1, and 3/2 S. EC and pH in root zone changed little in the all treatments during growing period. As cucumber plants grew, the concentrations of N, P, and K in root zone decreased but Ca concentration increased. Net $CO_2$ assimilation rate of cucumber leaves was high in SCU of 1 and 3/2 S, and Yamasaki of 1 S. Growth of cucumber plants was the lowest in SCU of 1/2 S.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.284-291
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• 1997

This study was conducted to evaluate the optimum hydroponic system and nutrient solution for shortening the early growth period and quality improvement of dendrobium ( Dendrobium Phalaenopsis) seedlings. Dendrobium seedlings with 3 to 4 leaves were transplanted in the deep flow technique(DFT) system, aeroponic system, and ebb and flow system with different concentration of balanced nutrient solutions recommended by the Japanese Horticultural Experiment Station. Growth characteristics of shoot and root were recorded and evaulated among treatments. For autumn cultivation, plant height was the longest at the DFT system with quarter concentration of nutrient solution, where aeroponic system with half concentration of nutrient solution. Aeroponic system stimulated the root growth but fresh weight was observed in the plots of DFT system. For spring cultivation, pH values increased up 7.5 at the DFT and aeroponic system, where EC values did not fluctuate regardless of cultural system. Ebb and flow system showed the best result in the growth of plant followed by BFT system and aeroponic system. Higher concentration of nutrient solution within this range of treatment was recommended for the growth promotion of leaf length and width in DFT system. In conclusion, growth responses differed depending on the cultural system, concentrations of nutrient solutions and duration of cltivation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.42-51
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• 2010

Herbs and shrubs are employed for environmental restoration purposes. Among common herbs and shrubs, few species with low germination rates were selected and studied for enhanced germination rates and decreased germination times via soaking treatment. Rhus chinensis, incubator grown samples treated with the bacterial solution for 72hrs followed by immediate seeding showed the highest germination rate of 26.7% and germination period of 5.7 days, 3 days decrease from the control. Treatment of distilled water (t=3.79, p<0.01), nutrient broth (t=4.44, p<0.00) and bacterial solution (t=4.42, p<0.00) showed highly significant difference. In the case of soil tests, treating in the nutrient broth for 72 hrs followed by immediate seeding yielded the the highest germination rate of 23.3% with 7.3 days to initial germination, a decrease of 14.7 days with respect to the control. All the samples followed by immediate seeding showed significant difference (t=2.13, p<0.05). Incubator grown samples of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya showed different results. The incubator samples suspended for 48 hrs in distilled water followed by immediate seeding and 1 day drying displayed the highest germination rate of 96.7%, surpassing that of the control by 33.4%. The incubator samples treated with the distilled water and nutrient broth showed enhanced germination. But only the samples treated with distilled water and nutrient broth for 48hrs showed the increased germination in soil tests. All the sample treated for 24 hrs followed by immediate seeding or dried for 1 day showed initial germination as early as 1 day in incubator. The initial germinations were shortened in the samples treated with distilled water and nutrient broth for 48hrs in soil tests. Lespedeza cuneata incubator sample treated with nutrient broth for 24 hrs and dried for 1 day exhibited the highest germination rate of 83.3%, a 31.1% improvement over the control. The incubator samples treated with distilled water for 48 hrs (t=4.20, p<0.01) showed effective increase of germination. The treatment of distilled water (t=2.96, p<0.05) and bacterial solution (t=2.24, p<0.05) showed significant difference. The germination rates in soil were less than those of incubator and the control. The incubator samples treated with distilled water and bacterial solution displayed 1 day germination period, shortened by 1.3 days compared to the control. For soil grown samples, the samples treated with distilled water showed delayed initial germination and those treated with nutrient broth for 48hrs and bacterial solution for 72hrs shortened initial germination.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Concentration of nitrogen, one of the major elements, and ratio of two nitrogen forms (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-) in the nutrient solution affect the quality and food safety of fresh vegetable produce. This study was conducted to find an appropriate strength and NH₄⁺:NO₃^- ratio of a nutrient solution for growth and development of a Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longiflora) 'Caesar Green', a representative leafy vegetable, grown in a home hydroponic system. In the first experiment, plants were grown using three types of nutrient solution: A commercial nutrient solution (Peters) and two strengths (GNU1 and GNU2) of a multipurpose nutrient solution (GNU solution) developed in a Gyeongsang National University lab. Plants grown with the GNU1 and GNU2 had greater shoot length, leaf length and width, and biomass yield than Peters. On the other hand, the root hairs of plants grown with Peters were short and dark in color. Tissue NH₄⁺ content in the Peters was higher than that of the GNU1 and GNU2. The higher contents of NH₄⁺ in this solution may have caused ammonium toxicity. In the second experiment, eight treatment solutions, combining GNU1 and GNU2 solutions with four ratios of NO₃^- :NH₄⁺ named as 1, 2, 3 and 4 were used. Both experiments showed more growth in the GNU2 group, which had a relatively low ionic strength of the nutrient solution. The growth of Romaine lettuce showed the greatest fresh weight along with low tissue NO₃^- content in the GNU2-2. This was more advantageous in terms of food safety in that it suppressed the accumulation of surplus NO₃^- in tissues due to the low ionic trength of the GNU2 subgroup. In addition, this is preferable in that it can reduce the absolute amount of the input of inorganic nutrients to the nutrient solution.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.423-428
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• 2013

Although closed soilless culture is useful for saving water and fertilizers with minimizing environmental pollution, adequate management of nutrient solutions is still not stabilized in greenhouse cultivation. In order to investigate the problems occurred in closed soilless culture of Paprika (Capsicum annuum L., cv. Fiesta), we compared ion balance, fruit yield, and the water and fertilizer use efficiencies in the closed system with those in the open system. The plants were grown in rockwool culture with a nutrient solution of EC $2.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. After 4 weeks of treatment, individual ratio of $NO{_3}^-$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ to total ion concentrations ($meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$) decreased from the initial value, especially the biggest decrement was observed in $K^+$, and on the other hand, $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $Cl^-$, and $Na^+$ were accumulated in the closed system. Yields after four-time harvests were 19% higher in the open system than in the closed system. Total volume of water used per unit area ($m^2$) in the open system was 20% higher, but the total water use per fruit was not significantly different between the two systems, while t total fertilizer use per fruit was 78% higher in the closed system. Amount of marketable fruits was not significantly different between the two systems. We concluded that the increase in $K^+$ supply and the replenishment of recycled nutrient solution every four weeks were required for preventing the imbalance or depletion of nutrients in the close soilless culture of paprika plants to get more balanced nutrient composition during whole cultivation period.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 2009

Water shortages are expected to be a major impact of climate change. This study examined the growth of Chinese cabbage seedling using reclaimed wastewater and waste nutrient solution as alternative irrigation resources. Generally, the concentration of nutrients, such as $K^+$, $NH_4^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$,$NO_3^-$, $PO_4^-$ and $SO_4^{2-}$, in waste nutrient solution was higher than that in wastewater. However, Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with wastewater was supplied a higher concentration of $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ than waste nutrient solution. The growth of Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with waste nutrient solution was similar or higher than those irrigated with groundwater as control, while the growth of those irrigated with wastewater was similar to those irrigated with groundwater. The total nitrogen uptake in Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with groundwater, waste nutrient solution from organic and inorganic hydroponic cultures, and wastewater was 5.47, 10.02, 5.20, and 4.59 mg/plant, respectively. The nitrogen uptake of Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with waste nutrient solution from organic hydroponic substrates in a 50% lower dose than recommended was 8.34 mg/plant, which is higher than that of the cabbage irrigated with groundwater. Overall, the results suggest that waste nutrient solution and wastewater can be used as alternate water resources, and can allow a reduction in the amount of fertilizer needed to raise Chinese cabbage seedling.