• Authors:
    • Cuello,J. P.
    • Hwang HyunYoung
    • Gutierrez,J.
    • Kim SangYoon
    • Kim PilJoo
  • Source: Applied Soil Ecology
  • Volume: 91
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Plastic film mulching (PFM) is an agricultural management practice that is commonly used to suppress weed growth. However, its effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has not been well evaluated. To investigate the effect of PFM on GHG emissions and crop productivities, black PFM and no-mulching plots were installed as the main treatment, and three sub-treatments, chemical fertilizer (NPK) and two green manures, were arranged within each main treatment. Two cover crops (hairy vetch and barley) with different carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios were cultivated in the two green manure treatments during the fallow season. The aboveground biomasses of vetch (23-25 Mg fresh weight ha -1) and barley (10-11 Mg ha -1) were incorporated before maize seedling transplanting. Maize was cultivated without chemical fertilization in the two green manure treatments, whereas the recommended chemical fertilizers were applied in the NPK treatment. During two annual cropping seasons, the emission rates of methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide (N 2O) gases were simultaneously monitored once a week using the closed-chamber method. Total global warming potential (GWP) was calculated as CO 2 equivalents by multiplying the seasonal CH 4 and N 2O fluxes by 25 and 298, respectively. Irrespective of soil amendments, PFM significantly increased soil temperature and moisture content by a mean of 2°C and 0.04 m 3 m -3 over no-mulching, respectively. Plastic film mulching increased grain productivity by 8-33% over no-mulching. However, PFM significantly decreased soil organic matter content and largely increased the two major GHG emissions. As a result, PFM increased the total GWP by 12-82% over no-mulching, irrespective of the soil amendments. In conclusion, more sustainable mulching systems should be developed that can sustain soil quality and minimize environmental impacts, including GHG emissions.
  • Authors:
    • Gebauer, G.
    • Kettering, J.
    • Kim, Y. S.
    • Berger, S.
  • Source: Web Of Knowledge
  • Volume: 167
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: Polyethylene (PE) mulching is a very common method in agriculture worldwide because the use of PE films can improve product quality and yield by mitigating extreme weather changes, optimizing growth conditions and extending the growing season. Other than the problem with disposal of the plastics hardly any other of its effects on the environment are known. To determine whether covering fields with PE films affects N 2O emission, we conducted two experiments: first, comparing N 2O emissions of furrows and PE-mulched ridges of a radish field which had received different amounts of N fertilizer and second, assessing whether PE mulching increases N 2O emissions from PE-mulched ridges in comparison to non-PE-mulched ridges and furrows of a non-fertilized field. To achieve those aims we took comparative closed chamber measurements in conjunction with a photoacoustic infrared trace gas analyzer during the growing seasons of 2010 and 2011 at a radish and soy bean field site in South Korea. For the radish field site we found significant differences between the N 2O emitted by furrows and PE-mulched ridges and found extraordinarily low N 2O fluxes from those spots of the ridges which were totally PE-mulch-covered between plant hole openings. At the soy bean field we observed that plant holes of PE-mulched ridges showed only 68% of the emission measured of soils around soy bean plants of non-PE-mulched ridges, implying that PE mulching may decrease N 2O emissions. Since our result is contrary to very recent findings we consider the extremely low soil moisture at our sites as explanation for the differences. Because knowledge on how PE mulches affect production and emissions of greenhouse gases is very limited, our study contributes greatly to understanding N 2O emission behavior of PE-mulched, poor sandy soils in a temperate monsoon climate.
  • Authors:
    • Ro, H.-M.
    • Lee, H.-C.
    • Kim, J.-S.
    • Choi, J.-J.
    • Lee, T.-K.
  • Source: Korean Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: To report country-specific carbon and nitrogen stocks data in a pear orchard by Tier 3 approach of 2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, an experimental pear orchard field of the Pear Research Station, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Naju, Korea (35 01'27.70 N, 126 44'53.50"E, 6 m altitude), where 15-year-old `Niitaka' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai cv. Niitaka) trees were planted at a 5.0 m x 3.0 m spacing on a Tatura trellis system, was chosen to assess the total amount of carbon and nitrogen stocks stored in the trees and orchard soil profiles. At the sampling time (August 2012), three trees were uprooted, and separated into six fractions: trunk, main branches, lateral branches (including shoots), leaves, fruits, and roots. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 0.6 m depth at 0.1 m intervals at 0.5 m from the trunk. Dry mass per tree was 4.7 kg for trunk, 13.3 kg for main branches, 13.9 kg for lateral branches, 3.7 kg for leaves, 6.7 kg for fruits, and 14.1 kg for roots. Amounts of C and N per tree were respectively 2.3 and 0.02 kg for trunk, 6.4 and 0.07 kg for main branches, 6.4 and 0.09 kg for lateral branches, 6.5 and 0.07 kg for roots, 1.7 and 0.07 kg for leaves, and 3.2 and 0.03 kg for fruits. Carbon and nitrogen stocks stored between the soil surface and a depth of 60 cm were 138.29 and 13.31 Mg.ha(-1), respectively, while those contained in pear trees were 17.66 and 0.23 Mg ha' based on a tree density of 667 trees-ha-1.0verall, carbon and nitrogen stocks per hectare stored in a pear orchard were 155.95 and 13.54 Mg, respectively.
  • Authors:
    • Thomas,Amy R. C.
    • Bond,Alan J.
    • Hiscock,Kevin M.
  • Source: Global Change Biology Bioenergy
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: Reduction in energy sector greenhouse gas GHG emissions is a key aim of European Commission plans to expand cultivation of bioenergy crops. Since agriculture makes up 1012% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, impacts of land-use change must be considered, which requires detailed understanding of specific changes to agroecosystems. The greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of perennials may differ significantly from the previous ecosystem. Net change in GHG emissions with land-use change for bioenergy may exceed avoided fossil fuel emissions, meaning that actual GHG mitigation benefits are variable. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling are complex interlinked systems, and a change in land management may affect both differently at different sites, depending on other variables. Change in evapotranspiration with land-use change may also have significant environmental or water resource impacts at some locations. This article derives a multi-criteria based decision analysis approach to objectively identify the most appropriate assessment method of the environmental impacts of land-use change for perennial energy crops. Based on a literature review and conceptual model in support of this approach, the potential impacts of land-use change for perennial energy crops on GHG emissions and evapotranspiration were identified, as well as likely controlling variables. These findings were used to structure the decision problem and to outline model requirements. A process-based model representing the complete agroecosystem was identified as the best predictive tool, where adequate data are available. Nineteen models were assessed according to suitability criteria, to identify current model capability, based on the conceptual model, and explicit representation of processes at appropriate resolution. FASSET, ECOSSE, ANIMO, DNDC, DayCent, Expert-N, Ecosys, WNMM and CERES-NOE were identified as appropriate models, with factors such as crop, location and data availability dictating the final decision for a given project. A database to inform such decisions is included.
  • Authors:
    • Lee, Y.
    • Kwak, Y.
    • Lee, S.
    • Choi, K.
    • Seo, Y.
    • Kim, M.
    • Yang, S.
  • Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The present study evaluated the changes of soil microbial communities that were subjected to no-till and compared the results to those subject to tillage for organic farming in a controlled horticultural field by fatty acid methyl ester. Fungi ( P<0.001), gram-positive bacteria ( P<0.001), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( P<0.01), and actinomycetes ( P<0.01) in the no-till soils were significantly larger than those in the tillage soils. The no-till in the subsoil had a significantly lower ratio of cy17:0 to 16:1omega7c compared to that of tillage, indicating that microbial stress decreased because the soils were not disturbed ( P<0.05). Fungi should be considered as a potential factor responsible for the obvious microbial community differentiation that was observed between the no-till and tillage areas in a controlled horticultural field.
  • Authors:
    • Song, M.
    • Choi, C.
    • Sohn, Y.
    • Jang, S.
    • Jeong, J.
    • Qin, W.
    • Kim, J.
    • Jin, G.
  • Source: Journal of Animal Science and Technology
  • Volume: 54
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Feeding trial was conducted with 80 Hanwoo steers (7.5 months of age, 204.4 kg body weight) for 680 days from growing period to late fattening period to examine the feeding value of whole crop barley silage TMR (BS-TMR) and whole crop rye silage TMR (RS-TMR) on body gain, feed cost, slaughter characteristics and quality characteristics of longissimus dorsi muscle. Dietary treatments were conventional separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw (control), feeding BS TMR up to middle fattening period and same diet as for control during late fattening period (BS-TMR I), feeding BS-TMR for whole experimental period (BS-TMR II), feeding RS TMR up to middle fattening period and same diet as for control during late fattening period (RS-TMR I) and RS TMR for whole experimental period (RS-TMR II). Sixteen castrated calves were assigned to each treatment (4 pens, 4 heads per pen). Pens in each treatment were randomly distributed. Feeding both BS silage TMR and RS silage TMR slightly increased body gain of Hanwoo steers at the stages of growing and early fattening, and increased (P
  • Authors:
    • Jo, I.
  • Source: Journal of the Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: This study was conducted to estimate Hanwoo carrying capacity when whole crop barley or rye as winter forage crops was grown on different applying sources (chemical fertilizer, cattle or organic fertilizer) and mixed sowing combination with hairy vetch or forage pea during the period of 2008-2010. The experimental plots within whole crop barley or rye were consisted of 7 treatments, which were non-fertilizer, chemical fertilizer (P+K), chemical fertilizer (N+P+K), organic fertilizer, cattle slurry, cattle slurry with hairy vetch, and cattle slurry with forage pea. Each plot was triplicates and experimental treatments were allocated in the randomized complete block design. For whole crop barley, annual mean dry matter (DM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields were the highest in N+P+K plots, but there were no significant differences among organic fertilizer, cattle slurry and mixed sowing with legumes. The TDN and RFV were the highest in mixed sowing plots of forage pea plus cattle slurry application. As 450 kg Hanwoo heifers were fed diets included 70% whole crop barley, organic fertilizer, cattle slurry application and mixed sowing with legumes plots is capable of raising average 2.5 to 2.9 heads/ha a year. For whole crop rye, annual DM, crude protein, and TDN yields of application groups and mixed sowing treatment with legumes showed 6.69-7.13, 0.46-0.51 and 3.95-4.18 ton/ha, respectively. In case of 450 kg Hanwoo heifers fed diets included 70% forage rye, it is estimated that cattle slurry application (mixed sowing with legumes) plots can rear average 3.1-3.3 heads/ha a year. It can be concluded that, on the basis of DM yield, not only mixed sowing with legumes by applying cattle slurry rather than single sowing of whole crop barley or whole crop rye enhanced production yield and feed values, but also it could be a substitute for imported grains as dietary protein sources in the case of feeding Hanwoo.
  • Authors:
    • Tenhunen, J.
    • Lee, B.
    • Lindner, S.
    • Park, J. H.
    • Kettering, J.
    • Kuzyakov, Y.
  • Source: Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment
  • Volume: 161
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The purpose of this study was to develop options for a more sustainable catchment management, resulting in a reduction of agricultural non-point pollution of water resources in South Korean agricultural catchments. Therefore, an N budget analysis was conducted, which related N inputs into soil under intensive agriculture to N outputs at both field and catchment scale in a mountainous catchment in South Korea. The N budget of all investigated crops was positive, with total N inputs exceeding N outputs by 2.8 times. Radish showed the highest N uptake efficiency (43-45%), whereas rice showed the lowest with 24-30%. At the catchment scale, agriculture contributed over 90% to the maximum N surplus (473 Mg). Rice and radish, with over 100 Mg N surplus each, contributed the largest part. Comparing these results to the N export in the catchment outlet, it was found that N leaching and surface runoff were the dominant loss pathways, leading to a seasonal inorganic N export of 329 Mg. Because fertilizer N was the major N input (>50%) for all crop types except soybean, its reduction was identified as the major scope of action for N savings at the field and catchment scale. The currently observed trend of land use change from annual to perennial crops additionally assists the reduction of N surplus but shows only a spatially limited applicability for the future. Further measures like split applications, application timing to match crop needs and cover crops during the fallow complement the attempt.
  • Authors:
    • Kim, H.
    • Kim, K.
    • Choi, J.
    • Kim, T.
    • Park, J.
    • Kim, Y.
    • Yoo, J.
    • Lee, M.
  • Source: Korean Journal of Crop Science
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Varietal and annual variations in the contents of beta-glucan fractions per weight grain samples were examined in sixteen covered and eighteen naked barley and five oat cultivars developed in Korea. Also, the effect of pearling on beta-glucan content was investigated. Average contents of total, soluble and insoluble beta-glucan fractions were 5.25, 3.72, and 1.53%, respectively, in covered barley, and 5.86, 3.51, and 2.35%, respectively, in naked barley. Soluble beta-glucan content was higher in covered barley, though total beta-glucan content higher in naked barley. The total and insoluble beta-glucan contents were higher in pearled grains. Total beta-glucan content was higher in waxy barley than in non-waxy barley. Duwonchapssalbori, a two-rowed and waxy naked barley cultivar, was highest in total, soluble and insoluble beta-glucan contents. Highly significant positive correlations were observed between total beta-glucan and soluble beta-glucan contents both in covered and naked barley. There were significant annual variations in total beta-glucan content in barley. Average contents of total, soluble and insoluble beta-glucans of oat cultivars were 4.33, 3.44, and 0.89%, respectively. Contents of all fractions of beta-glucans were higher in barley than in oat. These results would be useful for the breeding of high beta-glucan variety and also for the use barley and oat as value-added food ingredients.
  • Authors:
    • Ji, H.
    • Song, T.
    • Han, O.
    • Lee, H.
    • Ju, J.
  • Source: Journal of the Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Soil fertility different depend on application rate of manure and compost for many years. While each crop has different adaptability depend on soil fertility, crop and species or varieties should be chosen depending on the adaptability and productivity. These experiments were carried out to compare the five winter cereal crops for whole crop silage on growth, yield and feed value as affected by soil organic content. The rate of increase on no. of spikes at high fertile soil compared with medium fertile soil was sequently high Samhan (Oat's variety) > Cheongwoo (Wheat) > Gogu (Rye) > Youngyang (Barley) > Shinyoung (Triticale). The rate of decrease at low fertile soil compared with medium fertile soil was sequently high Youngyang > Gogu > Cheongwoo > Shinyoung > Samhan. The triticale was lower variation of no. of spikes as affected by soil organic content than that of other winter cereals. The variations of dry matter yield as affected by soil fertility was higher oat and barley and lower triticale. Forage yield of triticale was higher about 69 percent than that of barley at low fertile soil. Forage yield was the highest in triticale and the lowest in rye in all soil fertility. In high fertile soil, rate of increasing digestible dry matter (DDM) yield compared with medium fertile was high in Samhan and Youngyang. Rate of reduced DDM yield in low fertile soil compared with medium fertile was low in Shinyoung and Cheongwoo.