• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2021

Appropriate pruning is very important for southern highbush blueberries cultivated in a heated plastic house to control their severe crowding within the bush canopy after harvest. Pruning treatments at different times were evaluated to find out an appropriate pruning time to southern highbush 'Scintilla' cultivation with heating. Seven-year-old (2018) bushes, grown in 180-L containers, were summer-pruned on May 20 (35-39 days after harvest) and June 20, or dormant-pruned on December 20 (5 days before flowering), consecutively in both 2018 and 2019 removing 30% of the total woods. May pruning activated occurrence of shoots the following years, increasing number of shoot by 17 to 49% and total shoot length by 18 to 32% compared with those of the dormant pruning. Fruit characteristic was not significantly affected by different pruning times the previous year. The first year pruning treatment did not influence the yield the following year, but the second year consecutive May pruning significantly increased yield per bush by 7% compared with the dormant pruning. The results indicated that summer pruning in May could be favorable to promote shoot growth and to maintain stable yield.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.655-665
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• 2020

Background and objective: This study was conducted to compare the cultivation environment, growth of cut flowers, and management performance of conventional farms and smart farms growing the standard cut chrysanthemum, 'Jinba'. Methods: Conventional and smart farms were selected, and facility information, cultivation environment, cut flower growth, and management performance were investigated. Results: The conventional and smart farms were located in Muan, Jeollanam-do, and conventional farming involved cultivating with soil culture in a plastic greenhouse, while the smart farm was cultivating with hydroponics in a plastic greenhouse. The conventional farm did not have sensors for environmental measurement such as light intensity and temperature and pH and EC sensors for fertigation, and all systems, including roof window, side window, thermal screen, and shading curtain, were operated manually. On the other hand, the smart farm was equipped with sensors for measuring the environment and nutrient solution, and was automatically controlled. The day and night mean temperatures, relative humidity, and solar radiation in the facilities of the conventional and the smart farm were managed similarly. But in the floral differentiation stage, the floral differentiation was delayed, as the night temperature of conventional farm was managed as low as 17.7℃ which was lower than smart farm. Accordingly, the harvest of cut flowers by the conventional farm was delayed to 35 days later than that of the smart farm. Also, soil moisture and EC of the conventional farm were unnecessarily kept higher than those of the smart farm in the early growth stage, and then were maintained relatively low during the period after floral differentiation, when a lot of water and nutrients were required. Therefore, growth of cut flower, cut flower length, number of leaves, flower diameter, and weight were poorer in the conventional farm than in the smart farm. In terms of management performance, yield and sales price were 10% and 38% higher for the smart farm than for the conventional farm, respectively. Also, the net income was 2,298 thousand won more for the smart farm than for the conventional farm. Conclusion: It was suggested that the improved growth of cut flowers and high management performance of the smart farm were due to precise environment management for growth by the automatic control and sensor.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.292-299
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• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze physical and chemical properties of horticultural substrates and response of hydroponically grown two cultivars of 'Namcheon' and 'Somirang' perilla by four different substrates: coir (chip:dust = 5:5), perlite, granular rockwool, and commercial mixed substrate (cocopeat:peatmoss:vermiculite:perlite: zeolite = 50:25:10:10:5). There were no significant differences in EC and pH according to substrates. Container capacity was the greatest in granular rockwool, and it showed appropriate levels in mixed substrate and coir. Air space was higher in coir and perlite than the other treatments. Bulky density reached a proper standard in all substrates excepting coir. The leaf length and width of 'Namcheon' indicated the most in mixed substrate, though the value of 'Somirang'was greatest in coir substrate. The leaf weight of both cultivars was highest in mixed substrate, and relatively low in coir and perlite. The total yield of leaves was separated by two groups: higher group, which are mixed substrate and granular rockwool, and lower group, which are coir and perlite. There was a large gap by 28% between these two groups. Therefore, this study suggests that substrates with high water holding capacity such as mixed substrate or granular rockwool are most suitable for the hydroponic cultivation of perilla, which require sufficient moisture supply to the root zone.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2022

This study was carried out to establish proper irrigation standards by growth stages using integrated solar radiation (ISR) for strawberry hydroponics cultivation. The irrigation methods were automatically controlled when it reached ISR values based on the external solar irradiance. The ISR standards were set at 150 J·cm^-2 and 200 J·cm^-2, and as the last treatment, ISR value was changed from 200 J·cm^-2 to 150 J·cm^-2 according to growth stage. The timer-automated irrigation system was applied as a control. The monthly average irrigation frequency of 150 J·cm^-2, growth stages (150 J·cm^-2) treatment in March were 5.6 times, that of 200 J·cm^-2, growth stages (200 J·cm^-2) treatment in December were 2.7 times, and that of timer system was 3.6-3.8 times. The water use efficiency (WUE) of timer was 19.8 g·L^-1 lower than ISR. There was no significant difference in growth and fruit characteristics between ISR and timer. The total yield and rate of marketable fruit of treatments by growth stages was the highest 328 g/10 a and 85.3 %, respectively. Therefore, in case of strawberry hydroponic cultivation, controlling ISR by growth stages was more helpful to improve yield rather than applying same ISR standard during cultivation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2023

Melons, a rich source of vitamins and fibers, are commonly grown in the soil. Hydroponic cultivation could improve yield and quality of melon and selection of substrate volume and the kind of substrates is important for hydroponic cultivation of melons. This study investigated the effect on melon growth according to volume of granular rockwool and substrates of coir and rockwool slab. 'Geumsegye' melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Geumsegye) was cultivated hydroponically according to volume of granular rockwool to 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 L, and was also cultivated using coir and rockwool slabs. Logistic model was applied to estimate the growth characteristics of melons such as plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the characteristics of fruit. The growth characteristics of melons were significantly increased at 4.0 L compared to those grown of 1.0 L volume of on granular rockwool, and the results were the highest in coir and rockwool slabs. Melons grown in rockwool slabs showed the largest fruit fresh weight, fruit length, and fruit width. During hydroponic cultivation, growth characteristics of melon appropriate at the 4.0 L volume of granular rockwool, and the highest at coir and rockwool slabs. This study provides a basis for understanding the effect of root zone environment to the growth characteristics and fruit quality of non-netted melon.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.326-334
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• 2022

This study was carried out to investigate the optimal nitrogen concentration level suitable for forage rice growth by hydroponic cultivation in the salinity concentration of 0.1~0.3% which is similar to that of Muan reclaimed paddy field, and based on this results, to estimate optimal nitrogen fertilization level by field experiment in Muan reclaimed paddy for maximum forage production by cultivation of Yeongwoo rice. As a result of the growth response to the salt and nitrogen concentrations in the hydroponic cultivation experiment, the growth amount increased as the nitrogen concentration increased in the range of 0~24 me/L in the absence of salt stress. However, at a salt concentration of 0.1~0.3%, the growth amount was the highest at a nitrogen concentration of 12 me/L, and at higher nitrogen concentrations of that, the rice growth decreased as the nitrogen concentration increased. Therefore, nitrogen concentration of 12 me/L was judged to be an appropriate concentration for forage rice growth at salt concentration of 0.1~0.3%, and a nitrogen fertilization amount level corresponding to a nitrogen concentration of 12 me/L was actually applied to the Muan reclaimed paddy field for forage rice cultivation during two years. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer was tested with three treatments, which are 18 kg/10a considered appropriate, and 1.5 times and 2 times of the appropriate amount, and the planting density was tested with 2 treatments of 15 hills/m² and 26 hills/m². As a result of the reclaimed paddy field experiment, the yield was the highest when nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 18 kg/10a in the planting density of both treatments. Looking at the yield according to planting density, the high planting density plot yielded higher than the low planting density plot. In other words, when the planting density was 26 hills/m² and the nitrogen fertilization amount was 18 kg/10, the highest dry matter yield of 1,763 kg/10a was obtained. From the results of hydroponics and reclaimed field experiments, we could conclude that the productivity of forage rice decreased more as the nitrogen concentration increased when the nitrogen concentration was higher than the optimal level under salt stress.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2023

The Gymnocalycium mihanovichii has been an important export item of Korean flower industry for a long time. Although there is a high demand for grafted cactus from overseas, its production for export is limited. In this study, the growth and marketable yield characteristics of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'I-Hong' were compared between soil culture and ebb-and-flow hydroponic system with single- or double-tier bench. As a result, hydroponic methods with single-tier bench resulted in higher fresh weight and glove diameter compared to other cultivation methods. In the ebb-and-flow hydroponic system, hydroponic system with double-tier bench of grafted cactus traits has a lower growth rate than other cultivations. However, the hydroponic system with double-tier bench of grafted cactus significantly increased the yield. In conclusion, the yield from hydroponic system with double-tier bench was better than soil cultivation method. Although there were some differences in color depending on the cultivation method, it was considered that there was no difference in appearance of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'I-Hong'. Our results suggest the cultivation methods to overcome production constraints, expand their exports, and improve the value-added characteristics of grafted cactus.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2023

This study aims to select eggplant cultivars adaptive to the hot temperature period greenhouse climate by water consumption, and growth performance of plants and fruits of different European eggplant cultivars, including 'Bartok (BA)', 'Bowie (BO)', 'Black Pearl (BP)', 'Ishbilia (I)', 'Mabel (M)', 'Vestale (VE)' and 'Velia (VL)', in substrate hydroponic cultivation under hot and humid greenhouse conditions. On the 118 DAT, the leaf number and stem dry weight were highest in 'VL', followed by 'M', and there was no significant difference in leaf dry weight among cultivars. The marketable fruit number per plant was 16.4 for 'M', which was higher than other cultivars, and 'VE' and 'VL' were 8.5 and 8.8, respectively. The weight per fruit was low for 'M' at 136 g, and the highest in 'VE' and 'VL' at 332 and 281 g, respectively. There was no significant difference in fruit production per plant. In this study, 'M', which has high water use efficiency and a large number of fruits, and 'VL', which required less quantity to water consumption for producing 200 g of fruit and had a high product weight, will have excellent adaptability in the UAE greenhouse condition.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-225
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• 2023

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of microwave irradiation on the growth and secondary metabolite contents of lettuce seedlings. Seedlings at three weeks after sowing were treated by a microwave oven for 0, 4, 8, and 12 seconds with 200 W. After cultivation in a close plant production system for 4 weeks, plant growth measurements and secondary metabolite analysis were performed. The results showed that the fresh and dry weights of the shoot and root, leaf area, leaf length, and the number of leaves were decreased as increasing the microwave treatment times. Chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoids were increased and total phenolics were decreased at the 12-second treatment compared to the 4-second treatment. Total flavonoid contents were decreased at the 8-second treatment compared to the control. These results suggest that the changes in the levels of secondary metabolites were caused by oxidative stress. Although there was no significant difference in secondary metabolite contents excluding total flavonoid contents on the microwave treatments compared to the control, the significant difference suggests that the microwave treatment of 200 W and 2.45 GHz may alter secondary metabolite contents of lettuce after 4 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.408-417
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an aquaponics system utilizing catfish recirculating water on the growth and water quality in lettuce and chicory cultivation. After 60 d of catfish cultivation in the BFT-AP, the survival rate was 96.0% and average weight gain was 178.5 g. The WGR grew by 241.4% and the SGR was 3.0%. A comparison between lettuce and chicory cultivation using BFT-AP and hydroponics revealed significant increases in shoot height, leaf count per week, and biomass of the cultivated lettuce and chicory. The SPAD values also increased significantly by 15.4-43.3%. Water quality analysis of the BFT-AP systems and crop cultivation beds showed significant differences, except for K and Na. The average NO₃^- concentration in the sediment pond was significantly higher at 45.3±1.0. Comparison of water temperature, pH, EC, DO, and ORP in the BFT-AP system and crop cultivation beds revealed similar monthly water temperatures from July to September. The pH in the catfish culture pond was 0.3-1.2 lower than that in the crop cultivation beds, and the EC was approximately 0.01- 0.03 dS/m lower in the catfish culture pond than the crop cultivation beds. The monthly average ORP in the catfish culture bed steadily increased to 479.9 mV in October. Bacillus velezensis (AFB2-2) and Chlorella fusca (CF) were applied to the biological activation bed; the population density of CF showed a continuous increase, whereas that of AFB2-2 decreased after 15 d and gradually increased thereafter. Thus, the application of the recirculating aquaponics cultivation technology with catfish (BFT) enhances catfish cultivation and promotes the growth of lettuce and chicory. Therefore, it is considered suitable for the environment-friendly cultivation of lettuce and chicory.