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An estimation of optimal requirement of additional N by cropping pattern and growth stage is very important for greenhouse watermelon. The objectives of this study were to estimate an amount of optimal additional N based on growth, N uptake and yield of watermelon. In order to achieve these goals, we performed the study at farmer’s greenhouse with a fertigation system and watermelon was cultivated three times (spring, summer and autumn) in 2015. The levels of additional N were set up with x0.5, x0.75, x1.0 and x1.5 of the NO₃-N-based soil-testing N supply for watermelon cultivation. The trends of growth and N uptake of watermelon markedly differed from cropping pattern; spring (sigmoid), summer and autumn (linear). The yield of watermelon was the highest at summer season and followed by autumn and spring. Also, the x1.5N showed a significantly higher yield compared to other N treatments. On the basis of growth, N uptake and yield of watermelon, we estimated an optimal level of additional N by cropping pattern and growth stage as follows; 1) spring (transplanting ~ 6 WAT : 6 ~ 14 WAT : 14 ~ harvest = 5 : 90 : 5%), summer (transplanting ~ 4 WAT : 4 ~ 8 WAT : 8 ~ harvest = 25 : 50 : 25%) and autumn (transplanting ~ 4 WAT : 4 ~ harvesting : 50 : 50%). In conclusion, nutrient management, especially N, based on cropping pattern and growth stage was effective for favorable growth and yield of watermelon.

With increasing social concerns for healthy food, the studies on the cultivation of crops to increase accumulation of functional metabolites in crops have been investigated. Accumulation of the metabolites in crops is highly affected by various types of stress, such as nutrient deficiency, water deficit (WD), extreme temperature and UV-B radiation as well as their own life cycle. This review summarizes the previous studies on the effects of environmental stresses, especially WD and UV-B radiation, on accumulation of functional metabolites in crops. UV-B radiation and WD during specific period (mainly at maturation stage) activates the adaptation and/or defense system in crops, thereby increasing biosynthesis of the metabolites. Although WD and UV-B radiation tend to decrease in crop yield, the decrease can be compensated by the production of high value crops having high content of functional metabolites.

The objectives of fertilizer recommendation are to prevent the application of excessive fertilization and to produce target yields. Also, optimal fertilization is important because crop quality can be influenced by fertilization. In this study, yields and fertilizer use efficiency of Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) were evaluated in different level of NPK fertilization. N, P and K fertilizer application rates were 5 levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200%) by practical fertilization (N-P₂O 5 -K₂O = 180-100-150 kg ha -1 ), respectively. In the N treatment, the yields of Taro tuber were about 33 Mg ha-1 from 90 to 360 kg ha -1 N fertilization. However, the ratio of tuber to total biomass decreased with increasing N fertilization rate. In the P and K treatments, yields of Taro tuber were the highest at 150 kg ha -1 fertilization. Fertilizer use efficiency was decreased by increase of N and K fertilization. Crude protein of Taro tuber was the highest at practical fertilization. Sucrose content of tuber was influenced by phosphate application.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of reduced nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertigation as additional fertilizer on tomato yield and nutrient contents in excessively nutrients-accumulated soil. Shoot and root dry weights (DW), dry matter rate for shoot, root and fruit and number of fruit in both AF50 and AF100 (50 and 100% levels of additional fertilizer) treatments were increased in comparison with those in AF0 (0% level of additional fertilizer) treatment. In case of nutrient uptake by tomato, nitrogen, phosphorous (P) and potassium contents in all tomato parts (leaf, stem, root and fruit) in AF50 and AF100 treatment were lower than those in AF0 treatment. On the contrary, soluble sugar and starch contents in all tomato parts in AF50 and AF100 were higher than those in AF0 treatment. There were differences between AF0 and AF50 or AF100 in tomato growth, yield, nutrient level and contents of soluble sugar and starch. In contrast, the level and initiation point of fertigation did not significantly affect the parameters. Based on our results, the application of properly reduced level of additional fertilizer is possible to maintain the productivity of tomato and alleviate the nutrient accumulation in plastic film house soils.

Soil testing is one of the major strategies for establishing sustainable agricultural practice as it analyzes nutrient contents of soil and determines the amount of nutrients required for crop growth. Soil testing for the field cultivating regional major crops in Korea has been conducting by National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS), provincial agricultural research & extension services and agriculture technology centers since 2000. 1,006,227 soil samples were analyzed and uploaded on Korean soil information system (http://soil.rda.go.kr) from 2003 to 2013. Soil pH has changed from 6.1 to 6.2. Organic matter (OM), available (Avail.) phosphate and exchangeable (Exch.) K have decreased from 24 to 23 g kg -1 , 541 to 399 mg kg -1 and 0.90 to 0.72 cmolc kg -1 between 2003 and 2013, respectively. Especially, Exch. Ca contents decreased to 5.7 cmolc kg -1 in 2009 and increased to 6.2 cmolc kg -1 in 2013. Ratios of optimal ranges for cropping were 48% for pH, 22% for OM, 26% for Avail. phosphate, and 23, 16, 22% for Exch. K, Ca and Mg in 2013. Ratios of optimal ranges for pH increased and low ranges for OM, Avail. phosphate and Exch. K increased. Frequency distribution was 64% for pH 5.5~7.0, 65% for OM 10~30 g kg -1 , 48% for Avail. phosphate under 300 mg kg -1 and 23, 29, 22% for Exch. K 0.2~0.6, Ca 4.0~6.0 and Mg 1.0~1.5 cmolc kg -1 .

Crop yields depend on the limiting factor of crop growth; Liebig law of minimum. Identifying the kind and the necessary amount of the limiting factor is essential to increase crop yield. Although nitrogen is the most essential nutrient, N application does not always bring about yield increases when other elements are limiting in rice cultivation. Two experiments were compared to elucidate the effect of soil testing on rice yield response to N level. The one was an experiment about yield response of 3 rice cultivars to 7 levels of N application, which was conducted from 2003 to 2004 in 25 farmer’s fields without ameliorating soil conditions by soil testing and the other was a demonstration experiment on N fertilizer recommendation equation by 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 times of N recommended level in 5 soil types from 30 fields after ameliorating soil conditions by soil testing. The N response patterns of the experiments conducted without soil testing showed a Mitscherlich pattern in some cultivars and soil types, but did not in the others. The N response patterns of the demonstration experiment showed a Mitscherlich pattern in all soil types. Because these results indicated that N was the minimum nutrient in the demonstration experiment by ameliorating soil conditions with soil testing, but not in the other experiment without soil testing, the supply of minimum nutrients by soil testing could increase the efficiency of N-fertilization.

The steady increase in livestock industry has greatly required the stable production of food and forage crops. As an alternative, rice-forage cropping system has been attempted in several southern areas. The present study was performed to understand whether an application of cattle-manure compost affects soil chemical properties and crop productivity in rice-forage cropping system, rice → summer oat → rye, in Jangheong county, south Jeolla province from 2013 to 2014. Treatments was composed of control (no compost), CM1 (compost application before rice transplanting), and CM2 (two-times compost application, before rice transplanting and after rice harvest), and inorganic fertilizers (N, P, and K) were equally dressed in all plots. Yields of rice were not significantly different between treatments, however, oat production was 1.25-fold higher in CM1 and CM2. Nutrient uptake amounts of rye were higher in CM2 than CM1 and control. Total nitrogen in soil was maintained stable level during crop cultivation. And soil organic matter contents in all treatments were increased by crop residue. Available P₂O 5 and exchangeable K were increased by cattle manure application. Therefore, it suggested that the amount of nutrient by forage crop residue should be considered in rice-forage multiple cultivation.

An accurate analysis of nutrient balance in different cropping systems is necessary for improving soil fertilities, causing higher crop yields and quality. This study was carried out to investigate the nutrient balance, changes in soil properties, and their effects on crop yield in long-term field cultivation under mono- and rotation-cropping systems (MCS and RCS, respectively). The analytical results of the soil properties showed that the application of mineral fertilizers alone in the MCS leads the reduction of soil CEC, exchangeable Ca, and microbial biomass C and N. Compared with the MCS of soybean, the RCS of soybean and barley significantly improved the soil properties, which increased crop yield. It might be due to the barley residue added to the RCS soil. Mean nutrient balances for 4 years were ?55.9 kg N, +34.7 kg P₂O?, and ?0.3 kg K₂O ha -1 for the MCS and +19.7 kg N, +107.4 kg P₂O?, and ?48.6 kg K₂O ha -1 for the RCS, respectively. These nutrient imbalances mean that conventional fertilizer recommendations were inadequate for maintaining soil nutrient balance. From these results, we can conclude that the crop rotation may change comprehensive physical, chemical, and biological soil properties. These changes could affect the nutrient balance and then the crop yield.

Korea is currently underway research to estimate carbon footprint in agriculture centered on the RDA (Rural Development Administration). This study was estimated carbon footprint for major 47 crops. In addition, contribution of inorganic chemical fertilizers, main elements for production of crops were analyzed. The carbon footprint of for citrus fruit in greenhouse was highest, grape in greenhouse, sweet pepper in greenhouse, ginseng, green pepper in greenhouse were followed by , , , respectively. Next, production phase contribution of inorganic chemical fertilizer to carbon footprint of crop 1 kg were analyzed mean value 1.88%, 9.06% for single fertilizers and complex fertilizers respectively. And use phase accounted for mean value 14.24%. Therefore, to reduce the fertilization of inorganic chemical fertilizer will be reduced from crop production, also greenhouse gas emissions of agricultural sector will be reduced.

This study was carried out to estimate carbon emission using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and to establish LCI (Life Cycle inventory) DB for lettuce production system in protected cultivation. The results of data collection for establishing LCI DB showed that the amount of fertilizer input for 1 kg lettuce production was the highest. The amounts of organic and chemical fertilizer input for 1 kg lettuce production were 7.85E-01 kg and 4.42E-02 kg, respectively. Both inputs of fertilizer and energy accounted for the largest share. The amount of field emission for CO2, CH4 and N2O for 1 kg lettuce production was 3.23E-02 kg. The result of LCI analysis focused on GHG (Greenhouse gas) showed that the emission value to produce 1 kg of lettuce was 8.65E-01 kg CO2. The emission values of CH4 and N2O to produce 1 kg of lettuce were 8.59E-03 kg CH4 and 2.90E-04 kg N2O, respectively. Fertilizer production process contributed most to GHG emission. Whereas, the amount of emitted nitrous oxide was the most during lettuce cropping stage due to nitrogen fertilization. When GHG was calculated in CO2-equivalents, the carbon footprint from GHG was 1.14E-+00 kg CO2-eq. kg -1 . Here, CO2 accounted for 76% of the total GHG emissions from lettuce production system. Methane and nitrous oxide held 16%, 8% of it, respectively. The results of LCIA (Life Cycle Impact assessment) showed that GWP (Global Warming Potential) and POCP (Photochemical Ozon Creation Potential) were 1.14E+00 kg CO2-eq. kg -1 and 9.45E-05 kg C2H4-eq. kg -1 , respectively. Fertilizer production is the greatest contributor to the environmental impact, followed by energy production and agricultural material production.

Anaerobic decomposition of organic materials in flooded rice fields produces methane () gas, which escapes to the atmosphere primarily by transport through organs of the rice plants such as arenchyma etc., Although the annual amount of methane emitted from a given area is influenced by cultivation periods of rice and organic/inorganic amendments etc., soil type also affects methane emission from paddy soil during a rice cultivation. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of soil type on emission in two paddy soils. One is a red-yellow soil classified as a Hwadong series (fine, mixed, mesic family of Aquic Hapludalfs), and the other is a gley soil classified as a Shinheung series (fine loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic family of Aeric Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts). During a flooded periods, redox potentials of red-yellow soil were significantly higher than gley soil. emission in red-yellow soil () was lower than that in gley soil (). In the condition of different soil types, emissions were mainly influenced by the content of total free metal oxides in paddy soil. The results strongly imply that iron- or manganese-oxides of well ordered crystalline forms in soil such as goethite and hematite influenced on a emission, which is crucial role as a oxidizers in paddy soil during a rice cultivation.

The effect of earthworm and dung beetle on cattle dung pat decomposition was assessed by combining quantification of earthworm density and with or without dung beetle in pats and measurements of the decomposition rate of these pats. Cattle dung decomposition rate was higher in the pots treated with both earthworm and dung beetle than in the pots with either earthworm or beetle alone. After dung beetle and earthworm activity, the growth of oat in earthworm with dung beetle treatment was similar effect with fertilizer treatment. Dung beetle was responsible for dung decomposition until 78% moisture content in the dung, earthworm was responsible for up to 30% moisture of dung, and two group were not shown any activity for decomposition less 30% moisture content of dung. Therefore dung in the different periods could be broken down by each group. The disappearance and conveyance of dung by earthworm and dung beetle was 72% of the initial dung amount. 10.2% of 72% dung was used making brood balls by dung beetle. Earthworm activity was not an impediment on making brood balls by dung beetles. The interaction of earthworm and dung beetle may have a complementary cooperation rather than competition in the same dung pat. Indeed, development of earthworm accelerate to coexist with dung beetles instead without dung beetles. From this result, maximum benefits of the effective earthworm and dung beetle can be achieved, it is needed to preserve population of earthworm and dung beetles in pasture to sustainable agricultural environment.

This study was peformed to assess environmental effect through rice culture with sewage irrigation using Iksan stream water from 2002 to 2003. Contents of in irrigation water keep up one day at the tillering stage and panicle formation stage were decreased 40% and 52% respectively, but that of continued 4 days was decreased . The in run off by reduction 50% fertilization were more decreased 17% and 44% respectively, than those of conventional fertilization level. Amount of K and loss in infiltration water were more decreased 18% and 4% respectively, those of than conventional fertilization level. The Cu and Pb contents in soil of after experiment were slightly increased but other heavy metals were not accumulated. The rice yield by reduction 50% fertilization level was not significant compare with conventional fertilization level but head rice rate was increased.

This study was conducted to get some information on plants abilities to enhance water purification and to find out away to conserve the ecosystem in Mankyeong river. Vegetation were surveyed at 4 sites pointing by 1:5,000 topographical map, from June 2001 through March 2002. T-N content in water were high in all sites of Mankyeong river, the average T-N levels were 8.59 and 17.23 mg/L, summer and winter, respectively. The average T-P level during summer was 0.47 mg/L but that was 1.79 mg/L during winter. The BOD level in Mankyeong upstream ranged from 0.95 to 2.57 mg/L which would be in I or II grade according to water quality criteria by Ministry of Environment but BOD level in Mankyeong downstream ranged from 6.87 to 9.72 mg/L. The plant species of river flora were found 251, 98 and 85, upstream midstream and down stream, respectively. Among the surveyed plants, Ceratophyllum demersum, submerged plant and Nuphar subinteperrimum took up higher contents of phosphate and nitrogen than other piano. The Phragmites communis and Zizania latifolia having much biomass were thought to be suitable plants for enhancement of e natural water purification.