• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2022

Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic compound, plays a pivotal role in regulating a wide range of physiological and metabolic processes in plants such as antioxidant cellular defense, photosynthesis, and biotic and abiotic stress responses during the growth and development. We examined the effect of exogenous SA application (100 mg·L^-1) on the growth, yield, photosynthetic characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activity of chili pepper plants under high temperature and drought stress conditions. SA treatment induced increases of net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) under the stress condition with the highest level after the third treatment. The contents of malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ were significantly lower in the third treatment of SA compared to the control. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, increased in treated plants by up to 247, 318, 55 and 54%, respectively compared to the nontreated control. There was no significant difference in the growth characteristics between SA-treated and nontreated plants, while the SA treatment increased marketable yield (kg/10a) by about 15% compared to the nontreated control. Taken together, these results suggest that foliar application of SA alleviates physiological damages caused by the combination of drought and heat stress, and enhances the photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby improving tolerance to a combination of water deficit and heat stress in chili pepper plants.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of silicate fertilizer on growth, physiology and abiotic stress tolerance of Chinese cabbage seedlings. Five silicate concentrations (8, 16, 32, 64, and 128mM) and control (non-treatment) were applied to Chinese cabbage seedlings twice a week. Three weeks after application of silicate treatment, seedlings were used for treating abiotic stresses and were assessed for growth and physiological characteristics. Growth parameters significantly increased in 8, 16, and 32mM treatments except 64 and 128mM. Total root surface area, total root length, and number of root tips increased in 8, 16 and 32mM treatments, but they decreased in treated seedlings with 64 and 128mM of silicate. The highest growth parameters and root morphology were observed in 8mM treatment. As for the effect on the seedling physiology, transpiration rates decreased while stomatal diffusive resistance increased to increasing silicate concentration. The application of silicate reduced the electrical conductivity, heating and chilling injury index at high and low temperatures. Silicate enhanced drought tolerance of Chinese seedlings by delaying the starting time of wilting point. The starting time of wilting point in the control was 3 days after discontinuation of irrigation, while in the 8, 64 and 128mM of silicate treatments were 4 days, and the 16 and 32mM treatments were 5 days. All plants were wilted after 5 days in control without irrigation whereas it showed in 8mM treatment after 6 days, in 16, 32, 64, 128mM treatments after 7 days.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.485-496
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• 2022

Modern agriculture is being transformed into smart agriculture to maximize production efficiency along with changes in the 4th industrial revolution. However, rural areas in Korea are facing challenges of aging, low fertility, and population outflow, making it difficult to transition to smart agriculture. Among ICT technologies, simulation allows users to observe or experience the results of their choices through imitation or reproduction of reality. The combination of the three-dimension (3D) model and the greenhouse simulator enable a 3D experience by virtual greenhouse for fruits and vegetable cultivation. At the same time, it is possible to visualize the greenhouse under various cultivation or climate conditions. The objective of this study is to apply the greenhouse climate management model for simulation development that can visually see the state of the greenhouse environment under various micrometeorological properties. The numerical solution with the mathematical model provided a dynamic change in the greenhouse environment for a particular greenhouse design. Light intensity, crop transpiration, heating load, ventilation rate, the optimal amount of CO₂ enrichment, and daily light integral were calculated with the simulation. The results of this study are being built so that users can be linked through a web page, and software will be designed to reflect the characteristics of cladding materials and greenhouses, cultivation types, and the condition of environmental control facilities for customized environmental control. In addition, environmental information obtained from external meteorological data, as well as recommended standards and set points for each growth stage based on experiments and research, will be provided as optimal environmental factors. This simulation can help growers, students, and researchers to understand the ICT technologies and the changes in the greenhouse microclimate according to the growing conditions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.250-260
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• 2019

This study assessed clove germination, shoot growth, photosynthesis and bulb development of southern-type garlic (Allium sativum L.) in a temperature gradient tunnel (TGT), to examine the impacts of increases in temperature on the growth of garlic and find a way to minimize them. The temperatures in the middle and outlet of the TGT were 3.2℃ and 5.8℃ higher, respectively, than the ambient temperature at the tunnel inlet. The germination of garlic cloves was late at temperatures of ambient+3℃ (in the middle of the TGT) and ambient+6℃ (at the outlet) than at ambient temperature (at the inlet). However, bolting and the timing of maximum leaf number per plant were faster at ambient+3℃ or +6℃ than at ambient temperature. Shoot growth was generally greater at ambient temperature. Bulb growth did not significantly differ according to cultivation temperatures, but fresh and dry weights were slightly higher at ambient temperature and ambient+3℃ in the late growth stage. The photosynthesis rate (A), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (E) were higher at ambient+3℃ than at ambient temperature. Furthermore, at ambient+3℃, the net photosynthetic rate (A_max) was high, while the dark respiration rate (R_d) was low. At ambient temperature and ambient+3℃, bulb development was healthier, resulting in better productivity and more commercial bulbs, while at ambient+6℃, the bulbs were small and secondary cloves developed, resulting in low commercial value. Therefore, at elevated temperatures caused by global warming, it is necessary to meet the low-temperature requirements before clove sowing, or to delay the sowing time, to improve germination rate and increase yield. The harvest should also be advanced to escape high-temperature stress in the bulb development stage.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 1988

Twelve soybean cultivars were cultivated in the 1/2,000a. Wagner pots with irrigation and without irrigation for 30 days after flowering, and the differences of plant growth and bean yield among cultivars were compared. And to investigate the varietal differences in the rate of photosynthesis under different relative humidity, 6soybean cultivars were cultivated in 1/2,000a. Wagner pot and the rate of photosynthesis of each soybean cultivar at flowering time was measured under the relative humidity of 80, 70, 60, 50 and 40%. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The days to maturity of the soybean cultivars were shortened by non-irrigation treatment. The response of the maturing dates to non-irrigation was significantly different among the soybean cultivars. The days for maturing of Paldal, Danyeob and Eundaedu were delayed 2 days but those of Jangbaek and Tamahomare were delayed about 7 to 8 days under non-irrigation treatment. 2. The stem length, stem diameter, number of nodes of the mainstem, number of branches and number of branch nodes of all soybean cultivars were decreased by non-irrigation treatment. The number of branches and the number of branch nodes were especially severely influenced by non-irrigation treatment. 3. The number of pods per plant and the number of perfect pods was significantly reduced by non-irrigation treatment but the number of imperfect pods was increased. The non-irrigation treatment reduced the number of pods per plant by 58.0% and the ratio of the number of the perfect pods per plant by 46.6% relative to the ordinary cultivation with irrigation. 4. The grain yield of all cultivars was significantly reduced by the non-irrigation treatment, and average grain yield of soybean cultivars cultivated under non-irrigation treatment was 35.9% of that of soybean cultivars cultivated with irrigation. The influence of non-irrigation treatment was lowest in Paldal and significantly high in Tamahomare and Jangbaek. 5. The rate of photosynthesis of soybean leaves was significantly different among cultivars and was also influenced by relative humidity. Ratio of the photosynthetic amount of soybean leaves at 40% RH to the maximum photosynthesis at optimal humidity was 97.2% in Paldal, 96.4% in Danyeob and 88.8% in Baekun. 6. At 40% relative air humidity, highly significant correlations were found among the photosynthesis rate, the amount of transpiration and the respiration rate.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.254-260
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• 2015

Changes of the growth, quality and physiological response of Chinese cabbage cv 'Chunkwang' in response to five different temperature treatments based on climate change scenario were investigated during the growing season. The treatments consisted of normal year temperature $-2.0^{\circ}C$ (I), normal year temperature (II; Control group), normal year temperature $+2.0^{\circ}C$ (III), normal year temperature $+4.0^{\circ}C$ (IV), and normal year temperature $+6.0^{\circ}C$ (V). Regarding fresh weight, number of leaves, and leaf area were high in group IV, and V before the head formation stage, but it has decreased during the later growth period. Rate of frangibleness sympton was the highest in group V as 85.7%, and it was decreased in group IV (64.3%), group III (28.6%), group II (14.3%), and group I (7.1%). Regarding photosynthetic rate, group III, IV, and V showed relatively high photosynthetic rate at 20 DAP but it was reduced dramatically during the later growth period. Transpiration and stomatal conductance showed the similar trend with the photosynthetic rate. When comparing the chlorophyll fluorescence reaction of each treatment group at 50 DAP, Fv/Fm in group I was highest as 8.04 among all treatment groups and the lowest in group IV as 7.15.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2018

To investigate the effect of light sources on the growth and photosynthesis of the dwarf apple rootstock M.9 for the production of standard seedlings, the plants were cultivated in a controlled environment for 6 weeks. The sources of light are six treatments [Red (R), Blue (B), White (W), RBUV (R7B3 containing UV-A), RBW (R3B1W1), SMF (high pressure sodium + metal halide + fluorescent lamp) under $154{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Growth characteristics of apple seedlings varied depending on artificial light source at 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The plant height of apple seedling was high in the R, RBUV, RBW, and SMF light sources at 3 weeks, and in the R light at 6 weeks. There was no significant difference on stem diameter among the treatments at 3 weeks, but showed high in RBUV and RBW light at 6 weeks. Leaf number was the highest in RBUV light at 3 and 6 weeks. The chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was high in the B and RBUV light at 3 weeks, but it was not significant at 6 weeks. The growth rate to height of the R light (1.12mm/day) was the highest among the treatments, followed by RBUV, RBW, SMF, W and then B. Leaf area was the highest in RBUV and RBW lowest in B. Specific leaf area was high in W and fresh and dry weight were high in RBUV. The photosynthetic rate at 6 weeks was highest in the B and lowest in the R. Stomatal conductivity and transpiration rate were higher in the B and W compared to the other light sources. Therefore, we are considered that light sources for growth of dwarf apple rootstock M.9 seedlings are suitable the R, RBUV, and RBW light sources with a high mixing ratio of Red and Red +Blue.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.500-509
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• 2014

To prevent freezing of the road by fallen snow, Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer is used to very often and it can be harmful to roadside trees. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) as a deicer on growth and physiological traits of Acer triflorum according to different concentration of $CaCl_2$. We measured growth, chlorophyll contents, gas exchangement characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral nutrition concentration in plant and soil. The experimental group was composed of four treatments including 0mM(control), 9mM(0.5 %), 18mM(1.0 %), 54mM(3.0 %). Before germinating new shoot, the dissolution of $CaCl_2$ was irrigated twice interval of a week. At 30 days after treatment, all treatments decreased total cholorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) with increasing concentration of $CaCl_2$ and especially, they significantly reduced in 3.0 % treatment. In contrast, chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with an increase of $CaCl_2$ concentration and water use efficiency increased in 1.0 % and 3.0 % treatments. At 50 days after treatment, all treatments were decreased in chl a, chl b, total chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, photosynthetic capacity, photochemical efficiency($F_v/F_m$) and quantum yield of photosystem II(${\Phi}_{PSII}$) compared with control and 3.0 % treatments were withered. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ were accumulated in leaves and soil, which inhibited water absorption and electron transport and it caused the reduction of height growth rate more than 50 %. Although there was a little difference according to time and $CaCl_2$ concentration, all treatments decreased in growth rate and physiological activity slowed down. As time passed, these results got worse. Therefore we need to take a measure earlier in order to minimize damage of trees.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.3
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• pp.288-299
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• 2017

This study was conducted to find out the influence of drought stress on physiological responses of Synurus deltoides. Drought stress was induced by withholding water for 25 days. Leaf water potentials were decreased of both predawn (${\Psi}_{pd}$) and mid-day (${\Psi}_{mid}$) with increasing drought stress, but water saturation dificit (WSD) was 7 times increased. ${\Psi}_{pd}-{\Psi}_{mid}$ showed the significant difference of 0.22~0.18 MPa in stressed before 10 days, and nonsignificant as treatment time became longer. A strong reduction of stomatal conductance ($gH_2O$) and stomatal transpiration rate (E) were observed after 15 days of drought stress Significant reductions of net apparent quantum yield (${\Phi}$) and maximum photosynthesis rate ($Pn_{max}$) were observed after 20 days of drought stress; However, water use efficiency (WUE) was shown the opposite trend. This implies that decrease of photosynthesis rate may be due to an inability to regulate water and $CO_2$ exchanged through the stomata. From JIP analysis, flux ratios (${\Psi}_O$ and ${\Phi}_{EO}$) and performance index on absorption basis ($PI_{ABS}$) were dramatically decreased withholding water after 15 days, which reflects the relative reduction of photosystem II activity. The leaf of S. deltoides showed osmotic adjustment of -0.35 MPa at full turgor and -0.40 MPa at zero turgor, and also cell-wall elastic adjustment of 9.4 MPa, indicating that S. deltoides tolerate drought stress through osmotic adjustment and cell-wall elastic adjustment. The degree of change in water relations parameters such as Vo/DW, Vt/DW decreased with increasing drought stress. This result showed that S. deltoides was exhibited a strong reduction of photosynthetic activity to approximately -0.93 MPa of predawn leaf water potential, and both of osmotic adjustment and cell-wall elastic adjustment in drought stress condition appears to be an important adaptation for restoration in this species.