Seung-Oh Hur

The Development of Estimation Model (AFKAE0.5) for Water Balance and Soil Water Content Using Daily Weather Data

As the area of upland crops increase, it is become more important for farmers to understand status of soil water at their own fields due to key role of proper irrigation. In order to estimate daily water balance and soil water content with simple weather data and irrigation records, we have developed the model for estimating water balance and soil water content, called AFKAE0.5, and verified its simulated results comparing with daily change of soil water content observed by soil profile moisture sensors. AFKAE0.5 has two hypothesis before establishing its system. The first is the soil in the model has 300 mm in depth with soil texture. And the second is to simplify water movement between the subjected soil and beneath soil dividing 3 categories which is defined by soil water potential. AFKAE0.5 characterized with determining the amount of upward and downward water between the subjected soil and beneath soil. As a result of simulation of AFKAE0.5 at Gongju region with red pepper cultivation in 2005, the water balance with input minus output is recorded as - 88 mm. the amount of input water as precipitation, irrigation, and upward water is annually 1,043, 0, and 207 mm, on the other, output as evapotranspiration, run-off, and percolation is 831, 309, and 161 mm, respectively.

Effects of Reclaimed Wastewater and Waste Nutrient Solution Irrigation on Seedling Growth of Chinese Cabbage

ABSTRACT: Water shortages are expected to be a major impact of climate change. This study examined the growth of Chinese cabbage seedling using reclaimed wastewater and waste nutrient solution as alternative irrigation resources. Generally, the concentration of nutrients, such as K + , NH 4+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl - , NO 3- , PO 4- and SO 42- , in waste nutrient solution was higher than that in wastewater. However, Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with wastewater was supplied a higher concentration of Na + and Cl - than waste nutrient solution. The growth of Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with waste nutrient solution was similar or higher than those irrigated with groundwater as control, while the growth of those irrigated with wastewater was similar to those irrigated with groundwater. The total nitrogen uptake in Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with groundwater, waste nutrient solution from organic and inorganic hydroponic cultures, and wastewater was 5.47, 10.02, 5.20, and 4.59 mg/plant, respectively. The nitrogen uptake of Chinese cabbage seedling irrigated with waste nutrient solution from organic hydroponic substrates in a 50% lower dose than recommended was 8.34 mg/plant, which is higher than that of the cabbage irrigated with groundwater. Overall, the results suggest that waste nutrient solution and wastewater can be used as alternate water resources, and can allow a reduction in the amount of fertilizer needed to raise Chinese cabbage seedling.Key Words:

Spatial, Vertical, and Temporal Variability of Ambient Environments in Strawberry and Tomato Greenhouses in Winter

Strawberry and Tomato Greenhouses in Winter Myong-Jin Ryu, Dong-Ki Ryu, Sun-Ok Chung*, Yun-Kun Hur, Seung-Oh Hur, Soon-Jung Hong, Je-Hoon Sung, Hak-Hun Kim Department of Biosystems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea Rural Development Administration, Gyeonggi-do, Korea Chungnam Agriculture Research & Extension Services, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea Received: November 18th, 2013; Revised: February 8th, 2014; Accepted: February 19th, 2014 Purpose: In protected crop production facilities such as greenhouse and plant factory, farmers should be present and/or visit frequently to the production site for maintaining optimum environmental conditions and better production, which is time and labor consuming. Monitoring of environmental condition is highly important for optimum control of the conditions, and the condition is not uniform within the facility. Objectives of the paper were to investigate spatial and vertical variability in ambient environmental variables and to provide useful information for sensing and control of the environments. Methods: Experiments were conducted in a strawberry-growing greenhouse (greenhouse 1) and a cherry tomato-growing greenhouse (greenhouse 2). Selected ambient environmental variables for experiment in greenhouse 1 were air temperature and humidity, and in greenhouse 2, they were air temperature, humidity, PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density), and CO2 concentration. Results: Considerable spatial, vertical, and temporal variability of the ambient environments were observed. In greenhouse 1, overall temperature increased from 12:00 to 14:00 and increased after that, while RH increased continuously during the experiments. Differences between the maximum and minimum temperature and RH values were greater when one of the side windows were open than those when both of the windows were closed. The location and height of the maximum and minimum measurements were also different. In greenhouse 2, differences between the maximum and minimum air temperatures at noon and sunset were greater when both windows were open. The maximum PPFD were observed at a 3-m height, close to the lighting source, and CO2 concentration in the crop growing regions. Conclusions: In this study, spatial, vertical, and temporal variability of ambient crop growing conditions in greenhouses was evaluated. And also the variability was affected by operation conditions such as window opening and heating. Results of the study would provide information for optimum monitoring and control of ambient greenhouse environments.

Hydraulic Characteristics of Mountainous Forest Soils in Korea and Applicability of Pedotransfer Functions

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed for each soil horizon to estimate hydraulic characteristics of mountainous forest soils in South Korea. Twenty one dominant soil series from 8 soil catenae such as granite-originated catena and volcanic ash-originated catena were selected for the study; gravel contents of selected soils were 10% or lower. Saturated conductivity (Ks) was measured for each horizon in situ. Particle size distribution and organic matter content of each horizon were also determined. Based on correlation analysis with total data set, sand separate showed positive relationship with Ks (r=0.24 * ) while clay separate had negative relationship with Ks (r=-0.29 ** ). The correlation coefficients of sand, clay, and organic matter content with Ks increased to 0.41 ** , -0.67 *** , and 0.58 *** , respectively, using data from granite- or gneiss-originated catena with exception of volcanic ash-originated catena and sedimentary rock-originated catena. Determination coefficients of PTFs were 0.31 for A horizon, 0.25 for B, and 0.35 for C with all data set while those were 0.74 for A, 0.48 for B, and 0.54 for C. Organic matter was a dominant factor affecting Ks in A horizon but clay content was selected as the only factor influencing Ks in C horizon. It implies that PTFs should be developed with understanding characteristics of parent materials and horizons. Developed PTFs for granite- or gneiss-originated catena were following: A horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.031C + 0.398OM + 3.49 B horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.028C + 0.141OM + 4.05 C horizon: Log (K s x 10 7 ) = -0.072C + 4.66 where C is clay separate (%) and OM is organic matter content (g kg -1 ). The unit of Ks is cm sec -1 .

Uniformity Assessment of Soil Moisture Redistribution for Drip Irrigation

Greenhouse cultivation has been increasing for high quality and four season crop production in South Korea. For the cultivation in a greenhouse, maintaining adequate soil moisture at each crop growth stage is quite important for yield stability and quality while the behavior of moisture movement in the soil has complexity and adequate moisture conditions for crops are vary. Drip irrigation systems have been disseminated in the greenhouse cultivation due to advantages including irrigation convenience and efficiency without savvy consideration of the soil moisture redistribution. This study aims to evaluate soil moisture movement of drip irrigation according to the soil moisture uniformity assessment. Richards equation and finite difference scheme were adapted to simulate soil moisture behavior in soil. Soil container experiment was conducted and the model was validated using the data from the experiment. Two discharge rate (1 and 2 ) and three spaces between the emitters (10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm) were used for irrigation system evaluation. Christiansen uniformity coefficient was also calculated to assess soil moisture redistribution uniformity. The results would propose design guidelines for drip irrigation system installation in the greenhouse cultivation.

Hydraulic Characteristics of Arable Fields in Korea and Applicability of Pedotransfer Functions

Relationships between saturated conductivity (Ks) and separate contents were evaluated from 44 soil series of arable lands: 18 for paddy fields and 26 for upland crop fields. Saturated hydraulic conductivities of A, B, and C horizons were determined with tension infiltrometer and Guelph permeameter in situ. Sand, silt, clay, and organic matter content of each horizon were analyzed. Based on correlation analysis, sand separate had a positive relationship with Ks for both paddy (r=0.27, p=0.017) and upland fields (r=0.24. p=0.030). Clay content had a negative relationship with Ks for paddy soils (r=-0.32, p=0.005) while significant correlation between them was not found for upland crop fields (r=-0.20, p=0.07). Organic matter content showed a positive relationship with Ks only for upland crop fields (r=0.33, p=0.002). Due to low correlation coefficients between separate contents and Ks, performance of pedotransfer functions was not enough to estimate Ks. It implies that hydraulic properties of arable lands were affected by other factors rather than particle characteristics. Platy structure and plow pan were suggested to limit Ks of paddy fields. Soil compaction and diversity of parent materials were proposed to influence Ks of upland crop fields. It suggests that genetic processes and artificial managements should be included in pedotransfer functions to estimate hydraulic properties appropriately.

Physico-chemical Properties of Disturbed Plastic Film House Soils under Cucumber and Grape Cultivation as Affected by Artificial Accumulation History

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of profile disturbance with different artificial accumulation history on physico-chemical properties of soil under plastic film house. The investigations included soil profile description using soil column cylinder auger F10cm x h110cm, in situ and laboratory measurements of soil properties at five sites each at the cucumber (Site Ic ~ Vc) and grape (Site Ig ~ Vg) plastic film houses with artificial soil accumulation. The sites except sites Ic, IVc, IVg and Vg, belong to ex-paddy area. The types of accumulates around root zone included sandy loam soil for 3 sites, loam soil for 1 site, saprolite for 2 sites, and multi-layer with different accumulates for 3 sites. Especially, Site IIg has mixed plow zone (Ap horizon) with original soil and saprolite, whereas disturbed soil layers of the other sites are composed of only external accumulates. The soil depth disturbed by artificial accumulation ranged from 20 cm, for Site IIg, to whole measured depth of 110 cm, for Site IVc, Vc, and Site IVg. Elapsed time from artificially accumulation to investigation time ranged from 3 months, Site IIc, to more than 20 years, Site Vg, paddy-soil covering over well-drained upland soil during land leveling in 1980s. Disturbed top layer in all sites except Site Vg had no structure, indicating low structural stability. In situ infiltration rate had no correlation with texture or organic matter content, but highest value with highest variability in Site IIIc, the shortest elapsed time since sandy loam soil accumulation. Relatively low infiltration rate was observed in sites accumulated by saprolite with coarse texture, presumably because its low structural stability in the way of weathering process could result in relatively high compaction in agro-machine work or irrigation. In all cucumber sites, there were water-transport limited zone with very low permeable or impermeability within 50 cm under soil surface, but Site IIg, IIIg, and Vg, with relatively weak disturbance or structured soil, were the reverse. We observed the big change in texture and re-increase of organic matter content, available phosphate, and exchangeable cations between disturbed layer and original soil layer. This study, therefore, suggest that the accumulation of coarse material such as saprolite for cultivating cash crop under plastic film house might not improve soil drainage and structural stability, inversely showing weaker disturbance of original soil profile with higher drainage.

Differences in Spatial Variation of Soil Chemistry Between Natural and Anthropogenic Soils

The Agricultural Land Remodeling Project was launched for agricultural fields with potential risk of flooding which were placed in low-lying area as a part of agricultural sectors of the National 4 River Project. It induced of the reclaimed agricultural fields on a national scale. The arable lands reestablished by reclamation have caused several big problems such as destruction of soil physicochemical properties, and thus the techniques to solve disadvantages were urgently required. In this study, we collected experimental samples from top soils in three agricultural areas, one from conventional agricultural fields (Hwasun, Jeollanam-do) and the others from reclaimed (remodelled) agricultural fields (Naju, Jeollanam-do and Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do), The soil chemistry data were analyzed using statistic tools such as semi-variance and kriging, and differences between natural and reconstructed soils were examined. The score, R (Ao) which indicates a dependence distance between each chemical element, was as follows; 21.8~43.5 (Conventional, Hwasoon), 4.4~70.6 (Remodelled, Naju) and 5.3~43.6 (Remodelled, Gumi). These results suggested that chemical properties of the reclaimed agricultural fields had a huge variation. Moreover, the result of kiriging maps also represented a ununiform pattern in the reclaimed lands. As a result of this study, it is strongly required to build up the soil type-specific management techniques for the reclaimed agricultural lands.

A Study on Soil Suitability Criteria for Adzuki Bean

Soil properties and yields of red been were investigated to establish soil suitability of Korean adzuki bean at 166 farms in Korea. The soil morphological and physical properties were investigated by 1:5,000 scale average yield of 2~3 years. The impact factors to the adzuki bean yields and soil properties were selected based on standard error of each factor. The yields of adzuki bean showed the greatest values when the morphology was alluvial plains, the drainage was well or moderately well, the slope was 2~7%, the texture was fine loamy, the gravel content was less than 15% and the available soil depth was more than 100 cm. Contribution factors of soil properties to the yields were 0.18 of morphology, 0.18 of drainage level, 0.23 of slope, 0.20 of texture, 0.11 of gravel content and 0.10 of available soil depth, respectively. Soil suitability levels were set as the best suitable land if score was greater than 90, suitable land if score ranged from 89 to 85, the possible land if the score ranged from 79 to 84 and low productive land if score was less than 78. According to the criteria 37.5% of the production area was the best suitable land, 29.4% was suitable land, 22.3% was possible land and 10.8% was low productive land. The best and suitable lands were total of 66.9% in Gyeongju, Gyeosangbuk-do.

Natural Ripening versus Artificial Enhancing of Silty Reclaimed Tidal Soils for Upland Cropping Tested by Profile Characterization

This study was performed to produce basic data for silty reclaimed tidal lands and to develop techniques of environmentally-friendly utilization in agricultural system. We chose the two sites in Saemangeum reclaimed tidal lands, one (Site Ⅰ) has been treated with cultivating green manure and conducting the desalinization process through submergence since April, 2007 and the other (Site Ⅱ) has been under natural condition without artificial treatment. In situ and ex situ physic-chemical properties were determined and comparisons were made for soil profiles examined at these two sites in April 2009. Surface soil of Site Ⅰ had lower EC and higher field saturated hydraulic conductivity than those of Site Ⅱ, uncultivated land. Especially, exchangeable sodium content was lowest in Site Ⅰ Ap1 layer than in other layers. This is probably due to flooding desalination and green manure cultivation. Besides, Ap1 and A2 layers of soil profile in Site Ⅰ showed brighter soil color and more root observation than those of Site Ⅱ. This is probably due to green manure cultivation. By the large, for high cash upland crops and intensive agricultural use of silty reclaimed tidal land, site-specific soil ripening such as flooding desalination and green manure cultivation could be useful.