• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2023

Sewage sludge has been widely used as an organic fertilizer in agriculture. However, sewage sludge can cause serious malodor problems resulting from the decomposition of organic compounds in anaerobic conditions. The malodor of sewage sludge mainly occurs due to a low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), high moisture, and low temperature, which are ideal conditions for ammonia emissions. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the reduction of the odor-causing ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) in sewage sludge by co-application of microbes and methanol (MeOH). The physico-chemical properties of the municipal sewage sludge showed that the odor was mainly caused by a higher NH₃-N content (2932.2 mg L^-1). Supplementation with MeOH (20%) as a carbon source in the sewage sludge significantly reduced the NH₃-N up to 34.2% by increasing C/N ratio. Furthermore, the sewage sludge was treated with the NH₃-N reducing and plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria Stenotrophomonas rhizophila SRCM 116907. The treatment with S. rhizophila SRCM 116907 significantly increased the seedling vigor index of Lolium perenne (10.3%) and Chrysanthemum burbankii (42.4%). The findings demonstrate that supplementing sewage sludge with methanol significantly reduces ammonia emissions, thereby mitigating malodor problems. Overall, the study highlights the potential of using a microbial and methanol approach to improve the quality of sewage sludge as an organic fertilizer and promote sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.116-120
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• 2009

We found out the new method of the consortium for the environmental friendly agriculture by 8 kinds of the selected antagonistic rhizobacteria. This research involved composition of mutual complementary consortium by each antagonistic function such as production of antibiotic, siderophore, antifungal cellulase and insoluble phosphate solubilization. The consortium No.11 among composed consortium candidates showed the most pepper growth promoting activity and Phytophthora blight suppression on the in vivo pot test of red-pepper plant. The consortium No. 11 is combination of PGPR Bacillus subtilis AH18 and Bacillus licheniformis K11. B. subtilis AH18 and B. licheniformis K11 both could produce the auxin, antifungal ${\beta}$-glucannase and siderophore. Also, they had mechanism for solubilization of insoluble phosphate. But, B. licheniformis K11 could produce the antibiotic of iturin which was able to inhibit Phytophthora capsici. We confirmed complementary noncompetitive mutualism between B. subtilis AH18 and B. licheniformis K11 of the consortium No.11. The results came out through treatment of two strains co-culture, treatment of individual culture and co-treatment of two individual cultures for the growth and Phytophthora blight suppression of red-pepper. The treatment of two strains co-culture didn't show a synergic effect in comparing sole treatment on the pepper growth promotion and Phytophthora blight suppression. But, when the pots were treated simultaneously with co-treatment of two individual cultures, an synergic effect was seen in the growth promotion of roots, stem, leaves and suppressed Phytophthora blight on red-pepper in vivo pot test.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2012

We investigated the effects on soil microbial diversity and the growth promotion of red pepper resulting from inoculation with a microbial agent composed of Bacillus subtilis AH18, B. licheniformis K11 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 2112 in a red pepper farming field. Photosynthetic bacteria, Trichoderma spp., Azotobacter spp., Actinomycetes, nitrate oxidizing bacteria, nitrite oxidizing bacteria, nitrogen fixing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, cellulase producing bacteria, and urease producing bacteria are all indicator microbes of healthy soil microbial diversity. The microbial diversity of the consortium microbial agent treated soil was seen to be 1.1 to 14 times greater than soils where other commercial agent treatments were used, the latter being the commercial agent AC-1, and chemical fertilizer. The yield of red pepper in the field with the treated consortium microbial agent was increased by more than 15% when compared to the other treatments. Overall, the microbial diversity of the red pepper farming field soil was improved by the consortium microbial agent, and the promotion of growth and subsequent yield of red pepper was higher than soils where the other treatments were utilized.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.49-65
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the domestic and international development of a new cultivar of the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus L.), the Korean national flower, and the protection of the new plant variety. In addition, it will be used as basic data for the expansion of domestic distribution, promoting oversea export, and expanding the range of landscape architectural use. A total of 97 varieties received plant variety protection rights from the Korea Seed & Variety Service from 2004 to 2018. The selection criteria were plants having unique flowers, growth habits, and variegated leaves. Some cultivars with unique features, such as flower size, shape, and red eyes were available for focus planting. Plant varieties with tall and strong growth patterns have been highly valuable for street and focus planting. Cultivars with dwarf stems and compact branches are utilized for pot planting and bonsai. The protected cultivars were mostly single flower varieties, with two semi-double flowers. There were 57 cultivars of pink flowers with red eyes and 21 cultivars of white flowers with red eyes. There were 61 cultivars developed by crossing, 23 cultivars through interspecific hybridization and 7 cultivars developed through radiation treatment and mutation. The Hibiscus cultivars registered to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) consisted of seven cultivars each from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, four from South Korea, and three from Belgium. The Hibiscus cultivars registered to the European Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) consisted of 16 cultivars from France, 9 from the Netherlands, 5 from the UK and 1 from Belgium. The cultivars that received both plant patent and plant breeder rights in the United States and Canada were 'America Irene Scott', 'Antong Two', 'CARPA', 'DVPazurri', 'Gandini Santiago', 'Gandini van Aart', 'ILVO347', 'ILVOPS', 'JWNWOOD 4', 'Notwood3', 'RWOODS5', 'SHIMCR1', 'SHIMRR38', 'SHIMRV24', and 'THEISSHSSTL'. 'SHIMCR1' and 'SHIMRV24' acquired both domestic plant protection rights and overseas plant patents. The 14 cultivars that received both US plant patents and European protection rights were 'America Irene Scott', 'Bricutts', 'DVPAZURRI', 'Gandini Santiago', 'Gandini van Aart', 'JWNWOOD4', 'MINDOUB1', 'MINDOUR1', 'MINDOUV5', 'NOTWOOD3', 'RWOODS5', 'RWOODS6', 'Summer Holiday', and 'Summer Night'. The cultivars that obtained US patents consisted of 18 cultivars (52.9%) with double flowers, 4 cultivars (11.8%) with semi-double flowers, and 12 cultivars (35.3%) with single flowers. The cultivars that obtained European new variety protection rights, consisted of 11 cultivars (34.3%) with double flowers, 12 cultivars (21.9%) with semi-double flowers, and 14 cultivars (43.8%) with single flowers. In the future, new cultivars of H. syriacus need to be developed in order to expand domestic distribution and export abroad. In addition, when developing new cultivars, it is required to develop cultivars with shorter branches for use in flower beds, borders, hedges, and pot planting.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2005

The development of microbial inoculant was conducted using a by-product of oriental herbal medicine. The constituent of the by-product, which was high in organic matter, was 11.3% of crude protein, 5.1% of crude lipid, 49.7% of NDF (neutral detergent fiber), and 33.8% of ADF (acid detergent fiber). Microorganisms isolated from the by-product of oriental herbal medicine were 35 species. Among them, 6 bacterial species, 4 fungal species, 2 actnomycetes species, and 1 yeast species were effective in the utilization of the by-products. The 13 strains screened were tested for the plant growth-promoting effect in soybean seedling. BL-333 strain was found to increase the soybean yield by about 23% as compared with control. The strain BL-333 was identified as Paenibacillus marcerans. P. marcerans BL-333 showed high anti-fungal activities against virulent fungi, especially Fusarium sp. and Collectotrichum sp. Yields of plants which were inoculated with microbial inoculant prepared with P. marcerans BL-333 and by-product of oriental herbal medicine were found to be higher than control by $3{\sim}24%$. The yield was especially promoted in lettuce, radish, chinese cabbage and cucumber plants.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Background: The light emitting plasma (LEP) has recently attracted attention as a novel artificial light source for plant growth and functional component enhancement. We investigated the effects of LEP on whitening and antioxidant activities of the plant parts of perilla. Methods and Results: Previously germianted seeds of perilla were cultivated under different light conditions (fluoresce lamp, LED red, blue, white, green, and LEP) in a culture room for 2 months. Parts of perilla were harvested and extracted in 70% EtOH. The extracts were used to detect total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power and tyrosinase inhibition activity as indicators of biological activity. Biological activity was highest in seedlings grown under LEP. The total phenolic content was highest in the stems and the total flavonoid content was highest in the roots of perilla exposed to LEP. The DPPH and ABTS radical activity in all the parts of perilla exposed to LEP were higher by approximately three-fold compared to that in the control (fluoresce lamp). The reducing power values of perilla significantly increased after treatment with LEP. In addition, all the extract of perilla plants exposed to LEP promoted the tyrosinase inhibitory activity. These results suggest that LEP can be an important artificial light source for enhancement of biological activity. Conclusions: LEP could promote whitening and antioxidant activity of perilla.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2006

Bonogen shampoo is composed of several plant extracts which are known to be used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Bonogen shampoo on hair growth in an alopecia model of C57BL/6 mice. There were eight male and female experimental groups including distilled water(DW: negative control), a commercial shampoo[M], 3% minoxidil (MXD) and Bonogen shampoo(BNG). Dorsal skin hair of six-week-old mice was trimmed with an electric clipper carefully not to damage the skin. The next day, mice without skin scratch were selected, randomized and separated in 10 mice per group. The test compounds were topically treated with 0.15 ml per mouse or dorsal skin for 21 days daily and then washed thoroughly with DW. The hair regrowth was determined photographically at 0, 4, 7, 10, 15, 18, and 21 days and histologically at day 21. No clinical signs were observed in all mice. Although body weight was slightly increased in 3% MXD group than other groups, it was not significant. Hair regrowth began to be promoted after 14 days and appeared a distinct regrowth pattern in all animals by topical treatment of test compounds at 18 days. In particular, the topical treatment of bonogen shampoo or 3% MXD for 21 days to dorsal skin accelerated hair regrowth faster than DW or M shampoo. At 21 days, the hair regrowth promotion speed was in order of 3% MXD>BNG>M>DW. The bonogen shampoo or 3% MXD also promoted hair follicle elongation compared to the negative control. These results suggest that bonogen shampoo has hair growth promoting activities and may be useful for treatment of bald or alopecia.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.275-279
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• 2005

The fruiting habit pattern of white-spine cucumber, whose fruits are usually borne on the lateral branches, is different from domestic ones. The cucumber production far export has been focused on how to promote lateral shooting and how to increase the number of lateral branches. As the growing season of the exporting cucumber is confined to winter season, low temperature and weak light are limiting factors to lateral shooting. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application of growth regulator for induction of lateral shoot in white-spine cucumber. foliar application of growth regulator were focused on concentration and application time based on number of leaves. The visible damages were observed in applied leaves by $30mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA(benzyladenine) in retarding culture, but no significant by $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA in case of semi-forcing culture. The number of available lateral shoots were greater in applied plant with $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA than that of $30mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA, in applied plants at 10th and 15th loaves than that of applied plants at 5th leaves.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2014

The effect of elevated $CO_2$ and temperature on ecological characteristics of Cicuta virosa L., the endangered plant were examined under ambient $CO_2$+ambient temperature(AC-AT), ambient $CO_2$+elevated temperature(AC-ET) and elevated $CO_2$+elevated temperature for two years. Shoot length and the number of umbels were not different in three environmental gradients. The number of tillers was high in the order of EC-ET, AC-ET and AC-AT. The number of compound umbel was the lowest in the EC-ET. Fruit set rate was the highest in the AC-AT. These results mean that unsexual propagation of C. virosa may increase by promoting growth of tillers, rather than seed production under future global warming. This population growth study will be used as the important data for the research of Korean endangered species.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2015

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a perennial herb prone to various root diseases, with Phytophthora cactorum being considered one of the most dreaded pathogens. P. cactorum causes foliar blight and root rot. Although chemical pesticides are available for disease control, attention has been shifted to viable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective biological means such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for control of diseases. Methods: Native Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain HK34 was isolated from wild ginseng and assessed as a biological control agent for ginseng. Leaves from plants treated with HK34 were analyzed for induced systemic resistance (ISR) against P. cactorum in square plate assay. Treated plants were verified for differential expression of defense-related marker genes using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 78 native rhizosphere bacilli from wild P. ginseng were isolated. One of the root-associated bacteria identified as B. amyloliquefaciens strain HK34 effectively induced resistance against P. cactorum when applied as soil drench once (99.1% disease control) and as a priming treatment two times in the early stages (83.9% disease control). A similar result was observed in the leaf samples of plants under field conditions, where the percentage of disease control was 85.6%. Significant upregulation of the genes PgPR10, PgPR5, and PgCAT in the leaves of plants treated with HK34 was observed against P. cactorum compared with untreated controls and only pathogen-treated plants. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate HK34 as a potential biocontrol agent eliciting ISR in ginseng against P. cactorum.