• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2018

Phosphorous remains as one of the most limiting nutrients to plant growth, second only to nitrogen. Research on use of biochar as a soil amendment for available phosphorus in temperate calcareous soils has limited studies compared with to tropical acidic soils. An incubation experiment to assess phosphorous availability in a biochar amended calcareous soil under inorganic (Fused superphosphate, FSP) and organic fertilizer (bone meal, BM) and respectively, at the dose of 40, 80 and $120mg\;P\;kg^{-1}$ was carried out. Soil was incubated at $25^{\circ}C$ for 70 days. Results show that the rate of increase in available P was proportional to the fertilizer application rate with or without biochar amendment. Biochar did not have a significant effect on soils amended with either fertilizeron the values of available P. However, time had a significant effect (p<0.001) on the amount of available P during the incubation period. Inorganic fertilizer treatments had recorded high amount of available P with time compared to organic fertilizer treatments. Organic fertilizer treatment sample were significantly not different from control and for most of the incubation time biochar acted as a soil conditioner. Further research is required to understand the holistic and long-term effect of biochar.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.234-241
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• 2007

Biological amendments consisting of suspensions of selected microorganisms are often used in conjunction with various organic materials for amending soils to improve soil quality and plant growth. The effects of the biological amendment on chemical and biological properties of soil were investigated for a biological amendmentalone and when combined with different organic materials includingmunicipal compost (MC), poultry litter (PL), and cover crops (red clover (RC) and spring oats). A liquid preparation of a biological amendment called Effective Microorganisms was sprayed on the tested plots three times over a two-year period. Effective Microorganisms alone did not influence pH, K, or organic matter content in soil. However, increases in P in PL-treated soils in fall of both years andCa in MC-treated soil in fall 2001, and decreases in Ca, Mg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in RC-planted soil were associated with EM. Increased dehydrogenase(DH) activitiesassociated with Effective Microorganismswere only detected in July (P=0.0222) and October (P=0.0834) for RC-planted soils in the first year. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysisappeared to be enhanced by Effective Microorganisms in soils untreated or treated with MC and oatsbut only sporadically during the sampling period. FDA hydrolysis in both PL- and RC-treated soils as well as DH activity in PL-treated soils decreased with Effective Microorganisms treatment. Effective Microorganisms did not influence substrate utilization patterns expressed by the BIOLOG assay. We conclude that Effective Microorganisms effects on soil chemical and biological properties varied depending on the added organic materials. Effective Microorganisms periodically increased soil DH activity and FDA hydrolysis with RC and with MC plus oats, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 1999

The effect of compost to force the cultivation using various soil and vegetation was investigated 5 times in the field for 4 years. Sewage sludge compost was validated to be useful fertilizer for the growth of a plant. and the optimal amendment amounts of compost to soil depended on the kinds of soil and vegetation, and the organic contents of compost. In the case of compost with high organic content. the optimal amended compost weight was 0.12t/are in fertile-dark brown(eutrophic) soil, 0.2t/are in sandy soil(trophic) and 0.4t/are in infertile-dark brown(oligotrophic) soil, respectively. In the case of compost with low organic content. on the other hand, the amentments of compost up to 0.6t/are was allowable without negative effect on the applied vegetation. Consequently, it can be believed that the sewage sludge compost is useful fertilizer, if keep the optimal amendment amounts(0.4t/are. year) to improve soil on cultivation of vegetation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.397-405
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• 2022

Castor oil cake is widely used as a raw material for organic fertilizers (OF) in Korea. Compared to other fertilizer raw materials, it is highly dependent on imports. In terms of replacing raw materials, dehydrated food waste powder (FDP) and castor oil cake have similar nutritional content, and if 30% is replaced, about 20% of the raw material cost can be saved. However, few studies on the effects on crop growth and soil properties when organic fertilizer and dry food waste powder are mixed and applied to the soil have been reported. The effects of an organic fertilizer made by mixing the commercial available organic fertilizer with dehydrated food waste (OF + FDP) on soil properties and the growth of two types of leafy vegetables (lettuce and young radish) were evaluated and compared with the performance of OF. The fresh weights of lettuce and young radish were the highest with OF amendment and stood at 114.3 and 119.0 g·plant^-1, respectively. These were followed by OF + FDP amendment, which produced 103.1 and 109.6 g·plant^-1, respectively. Compared to the control, OF and OF + FDP increased the lettuce fresh weights by about 69% and 52%, respectively, while the fresh weights of the radish were increased by about 223% and 207%, respectively. The soil pH, EC, total carbon content, and organic matter content in OF and OF + FDP increased. The mixture of dehydrated food waste powder and organic fertilizers is expected to improve soil quality and facilitate stable production of crops and contribute to the substitution of imported organic fertilizer raw materials.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.712-719
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• 2016

Understanding N mineralization dynamics in soil is essential for efficient nutrient management. An anaerobic incubation experiment was conducted to examine N mineralization potential and N mineralization rate of the organic amendments with different C:N ratio in paddy soil. Inorganic N in the soil sample was measured periodically under three temperature conditions ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) for 90 days. N mineralization was accelerated as the temperature rises by approximately $10%^{\circ}C^{-1}$ in average. Negative correlation ($R^2=0.707$) was observed between soil inorganic N and C:N ratio, while total organic carbon extract ($R^2=0.947$) and microbial biomass C ($R^2=0.824$) in the soil were positively related to C:N ratio. Single exponential model was applied for quantitative evaluation of N mineralization process. Model parameter for N mineralization rate, k, increased in proportion to temperature. N mineralization potential, $N_p$, was very different depending on C:N ratio of organic input. $N_p$ value decreased as C:N ratio increased, ranged from $74.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ in a low C:N ratio (12.0 in hairy vetch) to $15.1mg\;kg^{-1}$ in a high C:N ratio (78.2 in rice straw). This result indicated that the amount of inorganic N available for crop uptake can be predicted by temperature and C:N ratio of organic amendment. Consequently, it is suggested that the amount of organic fertilizer application in paddy soil would be determined based on temperature observations and C:N ratio, which represent the decomposition characteristics of organic amendments.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.4
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• pp.567-573
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• 2012

This study was carried out to examine the effect of soil amendment treatments [(organic fertilizer: 20 kg $tree^{-1}$; compound fertilizer+wood-char fertilizer: compound fertilizer 4 kg $tree^{-1}$+wood-char 2 kg $tree^{-1}$; lime fertilizer: 3 kg $tree^{-1}$; mixed fertilizer: compound fertilizer 1 kg $tree^{-1}$+organic fertilizer 10 kg $tree^{-1}$+wood-char 1 kg $tree^{-1}$; control (no fertilizer)] on flowering and fruit characteristics in chestnut (Castanea crenata S. et Z.) orchards in Jinju and Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Diameter of fruiting shoot increased generally after soil amendment treatments compared with the control, while number of leaf, female and male flowers were not affected by the treatments. Nut weight increased after soil amendment treatments in Jinju, but was not affected by the treatments in Sancheong. There was a positive correlation between soil pH (r=0.91) or exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ (r=0.99) and nut weight in Jinju and a positive correlation (r=0.97) between organic carbon content and soluble solid concentration, while a negative correlation (r=-0.92) between exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ and soluble solid concentration of nuts in Jinju. However, the nut weight and soluble solid concentration in Sancheong were not correlated with soil properties. The results indicate that the characteristics of flowering and nuts in chestnut orchards depend on soil properties after soil amendment treatments between regions which show better responses on poor sites than on good sites.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2006

Many soil amendments have been used nowadays to improve physical and chmical condition of turf soil, which might ultimately optimize turfgrass growth in golf courses. This study was carried out to Investigate the effects of new organic soil amendment containing pig excreta 50% and sawdust 50% on growth of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica L.) and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) in greenhouse. Three applicable treatments with soil mixtures of 10, 20, and 30% (v/v) animal organic soil amendment (AOSA) with sand, were tested for chemical property, physical property, visual quality and root length of zoysiagrass and Kentucky bluegrass. As results, application of $10{\sim}30%$ AOSA mixtures were proper to grow turfgrass in soil nutrition. Especially, the treatment with 20% AOSA mixtures showed 0.7% in organic matter, which meets to green standard of USGA. Also, 30% AOSA mixtures was 1.1% in organic matter, which might be desirable for zoysiagrass-planted golf courses in Korea. It was turned out that addition of AOSA decreased the hydraulic conductivity in soil physical property Because the sand possess high hydraulic conductivity, it is recommended to combine $10{\sim}30%$ AOSA with sand in order to sustain soil balance. The treatment with $10{\sim}30%$ AOSA noticeably increased visual quality of both zoysiagras and Kentucky bluegrass during 90 days. However, treatments with either 20% or 30% AOSA were effective to develop root length of zoysiagrass but treatments with 20% AOSA were more effective than that of 30% AOSA mixtures to promote root length of Kentucky bluegrass at 60 days. In conclusion, considering all vital factors such as visible quality, root growth, organic matter content, and economical efficiency, was taken, it is recommended that a $20{\sim}30%$ mixture of AOSA with sand is good for the growth of zoysiagrass and 20% mixture for Kentucky bluegrass.

• Korean Journal Plant Pathology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to find a new formulation of soil amendment, and selection of antogonists and to effectively control brown and large patch of turfgrasses caused by Rhizoctoniz solani AG1-1 and AG 2-2. Fourteen inorgainc chemicals (1%, w/w) were added individually in vitro, and some chemicals showed suppressiveness to R. solani. Alum suppressed effectively mycelial growth of R. solani in the range of 17 to 77% as compared with control. The four chemicals such as Al2(SO4)3, alum, CaO, and NH4NO3 were finally selected. Out of three organic compounds, composted pine bark (CPB) showed prominent suppressive effect as compared with milled alfalfa and pine leaves. After inoculation of R. solani isolates AG-1 and AG2-2 on the turf seedlings, water soaked lesions and blight symptoms were developed on the whole seedlings. According to inhibition zone method, mycelial growth of the fungus were greatly suppressed by culture filterates of the antagonists, Gliocladium virens (Gl1-) and Pseudomonas sp. (P713). CPB soil amendment mixed with antagonists (1% w/w) controlled not only brown and large patch of turfgrasses, but also promote the good growth of the seedlings. In addition, the controlling effect was maintained more than 30 days. Especially, the controlling effect of two antagonists was similar to Cㅖㅠ soil amendment with the antagonists and also stimulated a favorable growth of the seedlings. Therefore, its is expected that continuous control of Rhizoctonia blight of turfgrasses can be obtained in field by subsequent applications of the antagonists.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2008

In this study, the effect of commercial organic growth medium amended with different ratios of vermicast on the growth of rice seedlings. The amended ratios of vermicast were 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 20% and 40%, respectively. A bioassay with two rice varieties (Chucheng and Black) was conducted to assesses the amendment effect of vermicast on the seedling growth in two potting methods. In potting treatment, the Chucheng variety with late maturity showed significantly higher values on growth parameters excepted root weight (RW) up to 20% and Black variety with early maturity up to 10% amended with vermicast, respectively. In floor layering treatment, all of the growth parameters significantly increased up to 5% amended with vermicast in both rice variety. The seedling growth of rice in floor layering treatment attained the highest values at lower amended ratios of vermicast than those of potting treated only, it may correspond with increased uptake of nutrient by elongated root grown under the layering amendment of vermicast. Vermicasts can be used as soil amendments or components of plant growth medium for seeding organic agriculture.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.967-976
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• 2023

Biochar is emerging as a promising substance for achieving carbon neutrality and climate change mitigation. It can absorb several nutrients via ion bonding on its surface functional groups, resulting in slow dissociation of the bonds. Biochar, like organic fertilizers, contributes to sustainable nutrient management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrient-coated biochar amendments on leafy vegetables production and soil fertility. The nutrient-coated biochar was produced by soaking rice husk biochar in a nutrient solution containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and potassium for 24 hours. Nutrient-coated biochar and organic fertilizers were applied to soil at a rate of 120 kg·N·ha^-1. The growth components of the leafy vegetables showed that nutrient-coated biochar led to the highest fresh weight (FW) of both lettuce and kale (i.e., 146.67 and 93.54 g·plant^-1 FW, respectively). As a result, nutrient-coated biochar amendments led to superior yield compared to the control treatment and organic fertilization. The elemental composition of leafy vegetables revealed that soil amended with nutrient-coated biochar resulted in higher nutrient contents, which was attributed to the high nutrient contents supplied by the rice husk biochar. Soil amendment with nutrient-coated biochar positively enhanced the soil fertility compared to amendment with organic fertilizer. Therefore, nutrient-coated biochar is a promising substance for enhancing agronomic performance of leafy vegetables and improving soil fertility.