• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

Changes in the soil physical property and the topographic condition derived from agricultural activities like as farming activities, land clearance and cutting down resulted in environmental and economic problems including the outflow of nutrient from farms and the water pollution. Several theories on the soil conservation have been developed and reviewed to protect soil erosion in the regions having a high risk of erosion. This study was done using the USLE model developed by Wischmeier and Smith (1978), and model for the slope length and steepness made by Desmet and Govers (1996), and Nearing (1997) to evaluate the potential of the soil erodibility. Therefore, several results were obtained as follows. First, factors affecting the soil erosion based on the USLE could be extracted to examine the erosion potential in farms. Soil erodibility (K), slope length (L), and slope steepness (S) were used as main factors in the USLE in consideration of the soil, not by the land use or land cover. Second, the soil erodibility increased in paddy soils where it is low in soil content, and the very fine sandy loam exists. Analysis of the slope length showed that the value of a flat ground was 1, and the maximum value was 9.17 appearing on the steep mountain. Soil erodibility showed positive relationship to a slope. Third, the potential soil erodibility index (PSEI) showed that it is high in the PSEI of the areas of steep upland and orchard on the slope of mountainous region around Dokjigol mountain, Dunji mountain, and Deummit mountain. And the PSEI in the same land cover was different depending on the slope rather than on the physical properties in soil. Forth, the analysis of land suitability in soil erosion explained that study area had 3,672.35ha showing the suitable land, 390.88ha for the proper land, and 216.54ha for the unsuitable land. For unsuitable land, 8.71ha and 6.29ha were shown in fallow uplands and single cropping uplands, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2011

The soil moisture has an important effect on growth and development of highbush blueberry (HB), mainly because the root system, devoid of root hairs, is superficial. Moreover, the texture and organic matter content of Korean soil is different from the main producing counties, such as USA and Canada. To facilitate the growth and development of HB and long-term maintenance of productivity, the research related to soil moisture condition in Korea should be the priority. This study was performed to investigate the growth properties of the HB in various soil moisture conditions in order to determine the irrigation trigger point and optimum soil water potential. The texture of soil used in this experiment was loam. For the experiments, the soil was mixed with peatmoss at a rates 30% (v/v). Irrigation was scheduled at -3, -4, -5, -8, -15 and -22 kPa soil water potential then investigated leaf macronutrient, bush growth, and fruit properties. The leaf K content of HB showed the same trend in the soil water potential, but Leaf P and Mg content was highest in -5 and -22 kPa, respectively. The productivity and growth amount of HB showed the peak at the range of -4~-8 kPa as normal distribution pattern, and greatly decreased at above -15 kPa. Total dry weight and Cane diameter were highest at -4 kPa, plant width, fruit weight and yield were highest at -5 kPa, and plant height, cane number and shoot tension were highest at -8 kPa. Soluble solids content showed same trend in the soil water potential, but titratable acidity, anthocyanins and total polyphenols were not significantly different. Therefore, the optimal soil water potential for the development and a maximum production of HB were a range of -4~-8 kPa, and the recommended ideal irrigation trigger point was within -15 kPa.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2005

A simplified one-dimensional model STELLA was used to predict soil water movement in lllinois corn fields using soil water balance sheets. It offered the potential to increase understanding of soil nitrate and agrochemical leaching process. The model accounted for aU possible annual inputs and outputs of water from a closed ecosystem as represented by corn fields. Water inputs included precipitation, while outputs included runoff, transpiration, evaporation and drainage. To run the model required daily inputs of two climatic data measurements such as daily precipitation and pan evaporation. Vertical water flow through the soil profile was calculated with first order equation including the difference in hydraulic conductivity and matric potential at the various soil types. The output results included daily changes of water content in the soil layers and daily amount of water losses including run-off, percolation, transpiration. This model was verified using Illinois corn field data for the soil water content measured by neutron scattering methods through 1992 to 1994 growing seasons. Approximately 22 to 78% of simulated water contents agreed with the measured values and their standard deviation, depending on soil types, whereas 30 to 70% of simulated water values agreed with the measured values and their standard deviations depending on soil layers.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.122-127
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• 2010

Constructing the national inventory that can be used as a tool to identify and assess existing or potential contamination is necessary for efficiently managing the soil and groundwater contamination. In order to start this construction, the first step is how we define and classify potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater. After selecting the basic classification model of contamination sources from developed countries, we suggested the classification and list of the potential contamination sources of soil and groundwater which are appropriate for specific conditions of South Korea. In addition, we investigated several databases to confirm the existence of available data sources and then examined established attribute data through chemical accident response information system (CARIS) and water information system (WIS) in National Institute of Environmental Research and mine geographic information system (MGIS) in Mine Reclamation Corporation. All sorts of attribute data in the existing databases can be utilized as significant assessment factors for determining the management priority of potential contamination sources in the future. Therefore, it is required the expanded investigation of additional database sources and the continual modification so that the classification system of potential contamination sources can be improved.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.E1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2008

Relationship between the optimum soil water content and clay content on soil samples from mid-latitude European forest was tested. Soil samples from 4 different experimental sites (two forest sites in the Netherlands and a Danish forest) were collected, and analyzed for the soil physical and chemical characteristics. Water retention curves for the soil samples were determined according to the standard procedure ISO 11274, and pF decreased with increase in soil water contents. NO is simultaneously produced and consumed by microbiological processes, which comprise of nitrification and denitrification. NO consumption and production rates were determined from the soil samples and compared to their corresponding water retention curves in order to find the optimum soil water content and matric potential for maximum NO release from mid-latitude soils. NO consumption rate coefficient (k) in Hollandse Hout was significantly lower than those in other soil sites. Maximum NO production was observed at an intermediate soil moisture ($0.2{\sim}0.3kg/kg$) in all the soil samples. Resulting from the NO consumption and production rates for the soils, the empirical NO fluxes of the different soils were calculated in the laboratory.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2013

Carbon sequestration on soil is one of the counter measurements against climate change in agricultural sector. Increasing incorporation of organic fertilizer would increase soil organic carbon (SOC) but it could bring high potential of nutrient losses which would result in water quality degradation. In this paper, literature review on soil organic carbon behavior according to agricultural management is presented. The results of field experiment to identify the effect of organic and commercial fertilizer applications on SOC and runoff water quality were also presented. Field experiment confirmed increased SOC and nutrient concentrations in runoff water as application rate of organic fertilizer increase. The potential use of simulation model to develop best agricultural management practice considering carbon sequestration and water quality conservation at the same time is discussed and monitoring and modeling strategies are also suggested to achieve the goal.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2004

This study was conducted to provide a national forest management method for natural Pinus densiflora forest stands in central South Korea based on growth characteristics and water relations. Average stand volume per hectare was 259.3㎥ in the pine study site. Basal area, volume, annual mean increment and periodic annual increment of DBH for 10 years at each slope aspect appeared to decrease as the aspect shifts from north to south. Stems per hectare showed the lowest value at the northern aspect. Maximum water potentials measured between 12 and 14 o'clock were analyzed by aspect and elevation. Water potential of pine decreased as the aspect changed from north to south, and water potential increased at lower elevations. Soil water content for the pine stands tended to decrease as the aspect shifted from north to south. Water potential and soil moisture content were highly correlated. Soil water deficits indicate that pines have a higher moisture requirement on the ridge and the southern aspect.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.35-35
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• 2017

How do plants take up water from soils especially when water is scarce in soils? Plants have a strategy to respond to water deficit to manage water necessary for their survival and growth. Plants regulate water transport inside them. Water flows inside the plant via (i) apoplastic pathway including xylem vessel and cell wall and (ii) cell-to-cell pathway including water channels sitting in cell membrane (aquaporins). Water transport across the root and leaf is explained by a composite transport model including those pathways. Modification of the components in those pathways to change their hydraulic conductivity can regulate water uptake and management. Apoplastic barrier is modified by producing Casparian band and suberin lamellae. These structures contain suberin known to be hydrophobic. Barley roots with more suberin content from the apoplast showed lower root hydraulic conductivity. Root hydraulic conductivity was measured by a root pressure probe. Plant root builds apoplastic barrier to prevent water loss into dry soil. Water transport in plant is also regulated in the cell-to-cell pathway via aquaporin, which has received a great attention after its discovery in early 1990s. Aquaporins in plants are known to open or close to regulate water transport in response to biotic and/or abiotic stresses including water deficit. Aquaporins in a corn leaf were opened by illumination in the beginning, however, closed in response to the following leaf water potential decrease. The evidence was provided by cell hydraulic conductivity measurement using a cell pressure probe. Changing the hydraulic conductivity of plant organ such as root and leaf has an impact not only on the speed of water transport across the plant but also on the water potential inside the plant, which means plant water uptake pattern from soil could be differentiated. This was demonstrated by a computer simulation with 3-D root structure having root hydraulic conductivity information and soil. The model study indicated that the root hydraulic conductivity plays an important role to determine the water uptake from soil with suboptimal water, although soil hydraulic conductivity also interplayed.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2011

Maintenance of adequate soil water potential during the period of crop growth is necessary to support optimum plant growth and yields. A better understanding of soil water movement within and below the rooting zone can facilitate optimal irrigation scheduling aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of water stress on crop growth and development and the leaching of water below the root zone which can have adverse environmental effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a portable irrigation controller with an Watermark sensor for the cultivation of drip-irrigated vegetable crops in a greenhouse. The control capability of the irrigation controller for a soil water potential of -20 kPa was evaluated under summer conditions by cultivating 45-day-old tomato plants grown in three differently textured soils (sandy loam, loam, and loamy sands). Water contents through each soil profile were continuously monitored using three Sentek probes, each consisting of three capacitance sensors at 10, 20, and 30 cm depths. Even though a repeatable cycling of soil water potential occurred for the potential treatment, the lower limit of the Watermark (about 0 kPa) obtained in this study presented a limitation of using the Watermark sensor for optimal irrigation of tomato plants where -20 kPa was used as a point for triggering irrigations. This problem might be related to the slow response time and inadequate soil-sensor interface of the Watermark sensor as compared to a porous and ceramic cup-based tensiometer with a sensitive pressure transducer. In addition, the irrigation time of 50 to 60 min at each of the irrigation operation gave a rapid drop of the potential to zero, resulting in over irrigation of tomatoes. There were differences in water content among the three different soil types under the variable rate irrigation, showing a range of water contents of 16 to 24%, 17 to 28%, and 24 to 32% for loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam soils, respectively. The greatest rate increase in water content was observed in the top of 10 cm depth of sandy loam soil within almost 60 min from the start of irrigation.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.587-596
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• 2014

Soil moisture is one of the most important interests in hydrological response and the interaction between the land surface and atmosphere. Estimation of Antecedent Wetness Conditions (AWC) which is soil moisture condition prior to a rainfall in the basin should be considered for rainfall-runoff prediction. In this study, Soil Wetness Index (SWI), Antecedent Precipitation Index ($API_5$), remotely sensed Soil Moisture ($SM_{rs}$), and 5 days ground Soil Moisture ($SM_{g5}$) were selected to estimate the AWC at four study area in the Korean Peninsula. The remotely sensed soil moisture data were taken from the AMSR-E soil moisture archive. The maximum potential retention ($S_{obs}$) was obtained from direct runoff and rainfall using Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) method by rainfall data of 2011 for each study area. Results showed the great correlations between the maximum potential retention and SWI with a mean correlation coefficient which is equal to -0.73. The results of time length representing the time scale of soil moisture showed a gap from region to region. It was due to the differences of soil types and the characteristics of study area. Since the remotely sensed soil moisture has been proved as reasonable hydrological variables to predict a wetness in the basin, it should be continuously monitored.