The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is an important pest that causes significant damages to alfalfa crops, reducing yield and quality, but there’s a solution. This research had two main goals to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides available in Korea for alfalfa weevil control and to provide data for pest management studies. The experiment, conducted from 2023 to 2024 at the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea, included four treatment plots: control (CON), early-occurrence (EAR), mid-occurrence (MID), and late-occurrence (LAT). It also included two frequency plots with primary and secondary insecticide using 50% fenitrothion emulsion, which made it truly comprehensive study. The primary insecticide was applied at the first observation of the alfalfa weevil larvae, with subsequent secondary applications at specified intervals. The results showed that two-times insecticide applications significantly reduced larvae populations and increased yield and nutrient content compared to a single application. Specifically, control rates ranged from 94 to 94.7% on the third day after treatment and from 72.2 to 93.4% on the seventh day. Plots with two applications had higher yields and crude protein content. The study concluded that the timing and frequency of insecticide applications are critical to maximizing alfalfa yield and quality, emphasizing the importance of optimized application strategies for effective pest control.

This study aims to contribute to resolving the critical issue of weed management in newly established alfalfa fields, study has been conducted on effective herbicide use. The study evaluated the impact of various domestically available foliar herbicides on alfalfa phytotoxicity, weed control, yield, and nutritive value. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four treatments. Alfalfa ‘SW 5615’ seeded in the spring of 2024 on a 1 ha field (March 18), with herbicide treatments including fluazifop-P-butyl (FPB), bentazone (BEN), and a mixture of these herbicides (MIX). Herbicide efficacy, alfalfa yield, and nutritive value were assessed 30 days post-application. Results indicated that the MIX treatment achieved superior weed control comparable to hand weeding (HW), although it exhibited higher phytotoxicity, requiring extended recovery periods. While MIX led to lower overall yield, it enhanced alfalfa purity, resulting in higher crude protein (CP) content and relative feed value (RFV) compared to other treatments. The study concludes that despite the potential for increased phytotoxicity, mixed herbicide treatments could offer a strategic advantage in enhancing the quality of alfalfa feed through effective weed management, thereby improving CP and RFV, critical factors for the nutritional value of alfalfa. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing weed management practices in alfalfa cultivation, suggesting that mixed herbicide application, although associated with increased phytotoxicity on the plants, could improve the overall feed quality by reducing weed competition.

This study was conducted to determine the appropriate seeding dates by verifying the difference in winter survival and productivity of alfalfa according to fall sowing dates in the central area of South Korea. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (2020 and 2021) at the field in the Department of Animal Resources Development, NIAS located in Cheonan. Sowing dates started from September 18 to November 8 with 10 days of intervals during 2020 and 2021; SO1 (September 18), SO2 (September 28), SO3 (October 8), SO4 (October 18), SO5 (October 28), and SO6 (November 8). After sowing, the winter survival rate was measured in the spring of the following year, and the dry matter yield was measured by harvesting at 10% flowering and harvesting five times a year. SO6 failed to winter survival, and SO5 also had a lower winter survival rate than SO1~4 (p<0.05). The average annual dry matter yield of alfalfa linearly decreased with delaying sowing dates (p<0.05). The feed value did not differ in the same year by delaying the sowing date in the same year. These results suggest that sowing date should be started before October 18 to increase winter survival and productivity of alfalfa in the central area of South Korea.

Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, possessing abundant fisheries and biological diversity, was registered as a Ramsar wetland in Korea. Approximately 300 bacterial strains were isolated from the Suncheon Bay in a comprehensive study of indigenous prokaryotic species conducted during 2019-2020 in South Korea. A total of 12 bacterial strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, demonstrating >98.7% sequence similarity with validly published species. These species were determined to be unrecorded bacterial species in Korea. A total of six strains were isolated from brackish water and Phragmites communis Trin (reed) species. These unrecorded species were phylogenetically diverse and belonged to three classes, six orders, and ten genera. Regarding the genus and class levels, the previously unrecorded species belonged to Jiella, Martelella, Rhizobium, Paracoccus, Rhodovulum, and Altererythrobacter of the class Alphaproteobacteria; Mycolicibacterium, Demequina, and Microbacterium of the class Actinobacteria; Confluentibacter of the class Flavobacteria. The twelve species were further characterized by gram staining, colony and cell morphology, biochemical properties, and phylogenetic position.

This study aimed to examine the changes in dry matter yield and growth characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to variations in sowing dates during the autumn season of 2021-22 in a dry paddy field of Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do. Treatments comprised four sowing dates at 10-day intervals, i.e., October 8, October 18, October 28, and November 8, 2021. The winter survival rate of alfalfa showed a significant difference between different treatments but was at a satisfactory level for all (p<0.05). The winter survival rate for the fourth sowing date, a month later than the first sowing date, was approximately 11.7% lower than that for the first sowing date. The plant height ranged between 82.3–93.1 cm and 60.5–63.7 cm at the first and second harvest, respectively, smaller at the second harvest than at the first harvest. The total dry matter yield of alfalfa was the highest at 13,316 kg/ha for the first sowing date, and the later the sowing date, the lower the dry matter yield. The protein content of alfalfa ranged between 13.6–17.3% in the first harvest, lower than the standard alfalfa protein content of 20% or more. In relative feed value, the first sowing (Oct. 8) was the most significantly higher in the first harvest (p<0.05). These results suggest that the early and mid-October sowing dates are optimum for sowing alfalfa during autumn and result in improved plant growth, dry matter yield, protein content, and winter survival compared to those at later sowing dates. Therefore, dry paddy fields can be safely employed for alfalfa cultivation with sowing dates in early and mid-October during autumn.

충청북도농업기술원에서는 연한 분홍색의 향기가 있고, 꽃수가 많으며, 개화기간을 오래 지속할 수 있는 속간 교배종 난 ‘핑키뷰티’를 육성하였다. 신품종 ‘핑키뷰티’는 2007년 Phal. pulcherrima × Phal. parishii 교배종을 모본으로, Neof. falcata ‘Hwacheon’을 부본으로, 속간교배하였다. 종자 발아, 재배, 선발, 특성검정은 2008년부터 2014년까지 진행되었다. 생육이 좋고 꽃의 색, 모양이 우수한 계통을 선발 한후, 2015년부터 2017년까지 3년에 걸쳐 국립종자원 신품종 심사기준으로 특성검정 결과, 우수성이 인정되어 2018년 최종 선발하여 “핑키뷰티”로 명명하였다. 주요 특성은 다음과 같다. 화색은 연분홍색으로 Red-purple Group 68D(RHS칼라차트)이며, 향기가 있고 화경색은 암록색이다. 식물체 크기는 12.7cm로 대조품종과 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 잎의 폭은 1.6cm로 대조품종인 P. pulcherrima에 비해 좁은 편이다. 화경장은 25.8 cm이며, 소화수는 16.3개로, 전반적으로 화분의 볼륨감이 우수한 편이다. 꽃의 크기는 2.5cm 정도이며, 꽃의 순판 뒤쪽에 풍란과 같은 짧은 거가 있는 것이 특징이다. 개화기는 5월 하순이며, 개화기간은 34일 정도이다.

The periodic occurrence of biological population is affected by several biological and environmental factors and ancient literature survey offers insight into ecological process related to the cyclicity. The periodic occurrence of a Lepidopteran species, the pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus spectabilis), was estimated based on ancient literature survey. The pine caterpillar was one of the most injurious defoliators of pine trees in northeast Asia, especially Korea during 1960s and 1970s. Outbreaks of this species have long history in Korea. Since about 900 years ago, damages of pine forest by this species and its control were recorded both in History of Corea dynasty which cover 475 years (918-1392) of the history of the Corea Dynasty and in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty (Joseon Wangjo Shillok) which cover 472 years (1392-1863) of the history of the Joseon Dynasty, respectively. At least over 20 and 30 occurrences of pine caterpillar were recorded during Corea dynasty and Joseon Dynasty, respectively. These results showed that the pine caterpillar had been one of the most severe forest pests during Corea and Joseon Dynasty. Our result showed that the ancient literature survey is useful to understand the long-term periodic occurrence of the pine caterpillar.

하늘매발톱꽃(Aguilegia flabellata var. pumila K.) 육묘시 적정 용토종류 및 시비 수준을 구명코자, 용토종류는 원예용 상토, 피트모스, 밭흙, 원예용상토 + 피트모스(1:1, v/v), 원예용상토 + 밭흙(1:1, v/v), 밭흙 + 피트모스(1:1, v/v), 밭흙 + 퇴비(1:1, v/v), 원예용상토 + 피트모스 + 밭흙(1:1:1, v/v/v) 혼합용토를 사용하였으며, 시비 시험은 기준시비량을 질소 – 인산 – 칼리 = 12 – 9 – 12kg/10a(초화류 표준시비량)을 기준으로 하여 기준시비량 대비 0%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125% 및 150%를 처리하여 시험한 결과, 용토종류는 용토별 화학적 특성은 피트모스가 pH 및 양분함량이 가장 낮았고, 원예용 상토 및 퇴비가 혼합된 용토에서 EC를 비롯한 양분함량이 높은 경향이었다. 발아율은 피트모스 단용 처리에서 파종 30일 및 45일에 각각 48% 및 54%로 가장 낮았고, 밭흙 + 퇴비 혼합용토에서는 86%였고, 그 외 용토에서는 92~98%였다. 파종 후 120일과 150일의 묘생육은 원예용상토에서 가장 좋았다. 시비량별 생육은 무처리에 비하여 시비 처리구에서 생육이 좋았으며, 식재 100일 후 생육에서는 기준 시비량 75%, 100% 및 125%에서 양호한 경향을 보였다. 기준 시비량 150% 처리에서는 오히려 생육이 감소하는 경향이었다. 결과적으로 하늘매발톱꽃 육묘시 육묘용토에서는 원예상토를 이용하고 시비기준은 기준시비량 대비 75%로 관리하는 것이 전반적인 생육이 양호하였다.

Biochar obtained from the thermal conversion of biomass has high potential as a substitute material for activated carbon and other carbon-based materials because it is economical, environmentally friendly, and carbon-neutral. The physicochemical properties of biochar can also be controlled by a range of activation methods such as physical, chemical, and hydrothermal treatments. Activated biochar can be used as a catalyst for the catalytic pyrolysis of a biomass and as an absorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions and atmospheric pollutants. The applications of biochar are also expanding not only as a key component in producing energy storage materials, such as supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, and fuel cells, but also in carbon capture and storage. This paper reviews the recent progress on the activation of biochar and its diverse present and future applications.

Nanopowders provide better details for micro features and surface finish in powder injection molding processes. However, the small size of such powders induces processing challenges, such as low solid loading, high feedstock viscosity, difficulty in debinding, and distinctive sintering behavior. Therefore, the optimization of process conditions for nanopowder injection molding is essential, and it should be carefully performed. In this study, the powder injection molding process for Fe nanopowder has been optimized. The feedstock has been formulated using commercially available Fe nanopowder and a wax-based binder system. The optimal solid loading has been determined from the critical solid loading, measured by a torque rheometer. The homogeneously mixed feedstock is injected as a cylindrical green body, and solvent and thermal debinding conditions are determined by observing the weight change of the sample. The influence of the sintering temperature and holding time on the density has also been investigated. Thereafter, the Vickers hardness and grain size of the sintered samples have been measured to optimize the sintering conditions.

A aderid genus Phytobaenus Sahlberg is reported from Korea for the first time based on P. amabilis amabilis Sahlberg. In Korea, only one aderid species, Hylophilus praescutellaris Pic, has been recorded in Korea. A redescription of the species and illustrations of diagnostic characteristics including male genitalia are provided.

As a replacement for activated carbon, biochar was synthesized and used for the adsorptive removal of formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide. Biochar was produced from the fast pyrolysis of the red marine macro alga, Pyropia tenera. The P. tenera char was then activated with steam, ammonia and KOH to alter its characteristics. The adsorption of formaldehyde, which is one of the main indoor air pollutants, onto the seaweed char was performed using 1-ppm formaldehyde and the char was activated using a range of methods. The char activated with both the KOH and ammonia treatments showed the highest adsorptive removal efficiency, followed by KOH-treated char, ammonia-treated char, steam-treated char, and non-activated char. The removal of 1000-ppm NO over untreated char, KOH-treated char, and activated carbon was also tested. While the untreated char exhibited little activity, the KOH-treated char removed 80% of the NO at 50°C, which was an even higher NO removal efficiency than that achieved by activated carbon.

This study was carried out with the goal of improving accessibility for farmers in record management. The pre-survey for farm records found that the main reasons for lack of records were “no need” and “no time” to keep such records. Based on the results of the pre-survey of smartphone-based farm recordkeeping, the major composition articles were management books, daily work logs, analysis books and additional books compiled by setting log in, notice and suggestions. The number of smartphone- based farm record books was 4,430 nationwide. We also updated farms keeping records on seven occasions for user convenience. Regional differences in the utilization ratio of record books showed that continuous promotion and education aimed at users were key points of success for farm recordkeeping books.

Lentinula edodes is known by oak mushroom. It has been favored as delicious and nutritious food and the low-calorie food with a high nutritional value. It is also functional food since it contains a material well-known for its medicinal benefits. Since the growth and quality of oak mushrooms are sensitively affected by environmental conditions, an adequate environmental control is very essential to improve the yield and quality under protected cultivation. The main objectives of the study were to investigate cultural characteristics of mycelial growth and in vitro fruiting of Lentinula edodes. The optimum culture media for mycelial growth of L. edodes were PDA and MYA. Similarly, optimum temperature was 25℃. Malt extract(2%) and yeast extract(0.2%) were optimum carbon and nitrogen sources. Optimal culture period was 110~120 days in sawdust medium. Among different five log types, highest mycelial growth and fruiting productivity were observed in Quercus variabilis sawdust(20.9%).

In this study, the anti-oxidant, anti-tumorigenic, anti-hypertensive, anti-thrombic, anti-diabetic, and anti- inflammatory properties of 18 different species of genus Pleurotus were investigated. In addition, the amino acid, β-glucan, and polyphenol contents were also measured. The β-glucan and polyphenol contents were the highest in Pleurotus cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus (yellow Pleurotus) of all species. The yellow Pleurotus also exhibited the highest physiological activity as assessed by the DPPH IC, Cytotoxic activity, ACE activity and so on. To confirm the mechanism for the physiological activity of the yellow Pleurotus, we performed further examinations within ICR mice. The yellow Pleurotus reduced glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the ICR mice blood for 4 weeks after feeding, and also significantly lowered both GOT and GPT levels. Taken together, our data indicates the yellow pleurotus is a promising functional food ingredient.