The objective of this study was to verify the effect of pig slurry application with acidification and biochar on feed value, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of maize forage, and ammonia (NH3) emission. The four treatments were applied: 1) non-pig slurry (only water as a control, C), 2) only pig slurry application (P), 3) acidified pig slurry application (AP), 4) acidified pig slurry application with biochar (APB). The pig slurry and biochar were applied at a rate of 150 kg N ha-1 and 300 kg ha-1, respectively. The AP and APB treatments enhanced all feed values compared to C and P treatments. The NUE for plant N was significantly increased 92.1% by AP and APB treatment, respectively, compared to the P treatment. On the other hand, feed values were not significantly different between AP and APB treatments. The acidification treatment with/without biochar significantly mitigated NH3 emission compared to the P treatment. The cumulative NH3 emission throughout the period of measurement decreased by 71.4% and 74.8% in the AP and APB treatments. Also, APB treatment reduced ammonia emission by 11.9% compared to AP treatment. The present study clearly showed that acidification and biochar can reduce ammonia emission from pig slurry application, and pig slurry application with acidification and biochar exhibited potential effects in feed value, NUE, and reducing N losses from pig slurry application through reduction of NH3 emission.

Carbon-encapsulated Ni catalysts are synthesized by an electrical explosion of wires (EEW) method and applied for CO2 methanation. We find that the presence of carbon shell on Ni nanoparticles as catalyst can positively affect CO2 methanation reaction. Ni@5C that is produced under 5% CH4 partial pressure in Ar gas has highest conversions of 68 % at 350 oC and 70% at 400 oC, which are 73 and 75% of the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion, respectively. The catalyst of Ni@10C with thicker carbon layer shows much reduced activity. The EEW-produced Ni catalysts with low specific surface area outperform Ni catalysts with high surface area synthesized by solution-based precipitation methods. Our finding in this study shows the possibility of utilizing carbon-encapsulated metal catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis reaction including CO2 methanation. Furthermore, EEW, which is a highly promising method for massive production of metal nanoparticles, can be applied for various catalysis system, requiring scaled-up synthesis of catalysts.

The genus Nipponopsyche Yazaki is reported from Korea with an unrecorded species, N. fuscescens Yazaki for the first time. Adult, larva, pupa and genitalia of the species are redescribed with SEM illustrations, and DNA barcode for precise identification of the species is also provided.

Background : According to medicinal plant standard culture, flower organ should be removed but there is no detail information on flower organ removal in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. This study was carried out to examine effect of flower organ removal on the increase of roots yield in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. Methods and Results : ○ Experiment variety : Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. ○ Treatment : ① Flower organ non-cutting ② Flower organ cutting ○ Planting date : April, 2015/ April 25, 2016 ○ Planting distance : 30×20cm/ 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng & Medicinal Plant Research Institute(Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : The fresh rhizome yield of F. O. C. at a bud treatments were increased 21.0% ∼50.0% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. The fresh rhizome yield of F. O. C. at a flower treatments were increased 17.4%∼34.6% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. The fresh weight of above-ground parts of F. O. C. treatments were decreased 77.2%∼65.7% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. F. O. C.(=Flower organ cutting) / F. O. N. C.(=Flower organ non-cutting).

Background : Jiwhang (Rehmannia glutinosa L.) cultivation area of chungnam province was 62ha(219 farms, 53.9% of domestic cultivation area, M.A.F.R.A. 20142)). Recently, jiwhang is rapidly spread to 150ha ( Geumsan administration statistics, 2015) as taking place of income crop in Chungnam. High quality jiwhang GAP production and improvement of the distribution system including magnus customers, producer association fosterage and conventional market Vitalization were the reason of rapid cultivation area increase of Rehmannia glutinosa L. in Geumsan. This study was performed to set up the standard Rhizome size for planting in Rehmannia glutinosa L. Materials and Methods ○ Experiment variety : Togang ○ Treatment(rhizome length) : ① 1cm ② 2cm ③ 3cm ④ 4cm ⑤ 6cm(control) ○ Planting date : May 6, 2015 ○ Planting distance : 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng and Medicinal Plant Research Institute (Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : In the aboveground growth was no significant difference among treatments. In the root characteristics, there was no significant difference among treatments. Take a 1∼2cm rhizome planting saved rhizome amount and planting time to 73.8%∼64.3% and 68.4%∼ 57.8% respectively than 6cm(control).

Background : Generally, price of Jiwhang(Rehmannia glutinosa L.) is highest in August. In this study, Economic Evaluation and Productivity of 9 Jiwhang varieties w ere analyzed according to harvesting tim es of August and October. Materials and Methods ○ Experiment variety : Jiwhang 1, Korea jiwhang, Daegyung, Gogang, Togang, Dagang, Wongang, Hwanggang and Yeongang ○ Treatment : ①Initial-August harvest ②Mid-August harvest ③Ended-August harvest ④Ended-October harvest ○ Planting date : April 17, 2015 ○ Planting distance : 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng and Medicinal Plant Research Institute (Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : The higher roots yield at August harvest was in Gogang, Dagang and Togang. The lower roots yield at August harvest was in Korea jiwhang and Hwanggang. The higher economic feasibility at August harvest was in Gogang, Togang, Dagang and Wongang. The higher economic feasibility at ended-October harvest was in Gogang, Yeongang, Togang, Dagang and Wongang.

Background : According to medicinal plant standard culture, flower stalk should be removed at the stage of 4-5 main leaves appearance but there is no detail information on stalk removal in jiwhang (Rehmannia glutinosa L.). This study was carried out to examine effect of flower stalk removal on the increase of total yield in Rehmannia glutinosa L. Materials and Methods ○ Experiment variety : Korea jiwhang, Wongang ○ Treatment : ① Peduncle non-cutting ② Peduncle cutting ○ Planting date : April 18, 2015 ○ Planting distance : 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng and Medicinal Plant Research Institute (Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : Aerial part growth was no significant difference according to treatments in Wongang and aerial weight was havier in Peduncle cutting than in Peduncle non-cutting. Aerial part growth was no significant difference according to treatments in Korea jiwhang. The roots yield in Korea jiwhang was increased about 5.2% in Peduncle cutting. The roots yield in Wongang was increased about 24.9% in Peduncle cutting.

Background : Bai Zhu is generally harvested in 1-2 years after seedstock planting. Recently mainly in Guemsan, Bai Zhu is harvested in just 1 year after planting in spring . According to medicinal plant standard culture, Bai Zhu should be directly sown by 20cm distance in April. This study was carried out to find out proper planting date. Materials and Methods ○ Experiment variety : Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.) ○ Treatment : Planting Date ① Late march ② Early april ③ Middle of april(control) ④ Late april Plantind density : ① 30×10cm ② ① 30×20cm ○ Planting type : Direct Seeding ○ Experiment place : Ginseng and Medicinal Plant Research Institute (Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : Number of lateral branches in 30×10cm was more in late march than late April and aerial part growth was superior as planting date was earlier. Emergence rate was higher in middle of April and late April and aerial part weight, fresh root weight, dry root weight rate, and dry root weight were superior as planting date was earlier. Dry weight yield increased as 38.3% in late March compared to middle of April. Dry weight was havier as 36.2% in planting time of late March and early April than planting time of middle of April and late April. Total income was higher in planting time of late March and early April than planting time of middle of April and late April.

Background : Jiwhang (Rehmannia glutinosa L.) cultivation area of Chungnam province was 62ha (219 farms, 53.9% of domestic cultivation area, MAFRA. 20142)**). Recently, jiwhang is rapidly spread to 150ha (Geumsan administration statistics, 2015) as taking place of income crop in Chungnam. High quality jiwhang GAP production and improvement of the distribution system including magnus customers, producer association fosterage and conventional market vitalization were the reason of rapid cultivation area increase of Jiwhang in Geumsan. But low emergence rate caused by spring drought should be solved. This study was carried out to obtain basic data for emergence rate improvement in jiwhang. Materials and Methods ○ Experiment variety : Korea jiwhang ○ Treatment : ①Control ② 1 time irrigation at planting time ③1 time irrigation at planting time + transparent vinyl mulching ○ Planting date : April 30, 2015 ○ Planting distance : 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng and Medicinal Plant Research Institute (Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : There was no significant difference in the aboveground growth among treatments. The seedling emergence rate was higher in 1 time irrigation at planting time + transparent vinyl mulching(1ITVM) than control or 1 time irrigation at planting time(1I). Aerial part weight was significantly havier in 11ITVM than control or 1I. The roots yield was also more in 1ITVM than control or 1I. According to economic analysis, total income in 1ITVM compared to 1I and control was 125.1% and 54.0% higher respectively.