This study started with the issue that the criteria for the general image scale used in outdoor color planning are vague and the vocabulary and expressive area of the scale are not accurate. As an exterior color planning guideline, it is required to suggest a sensible image scale, which is an appropriate assessment tool for outdoor environment. We identified psychological attributes of colors and set the color image scale axis as “Soft–Hard” in a vertical and “Warm–Cool” in a horizontal. 26 sensibility languages were finally selected for the image scale through literature review, pre-analysis, and expert evaluation. All types of colors extracted from analyzing over 600 photo images were categorized according to 26 sensibility languages. 3 colors by each sensibility language were finally selected and arranged in the color image scale in accord with the outdoor environment of the apartment houses. The significance of this study is that wide range of color position in the color image scale could be utilized as an effective guideline for actual color planning by upgrading the existing color image scale to a higher level with the color reflecting sensibility language. The result also implies that the development of diversified color palette is required especially for the exterior color planning of apartment houses, and the systematical color design process should be established in order to improve the quality of color environment.

이 연구는 베트남출신 결혼 이주여성들이 그들의 삶의 경험에서 직면해 온 자녀들의 언어선택의 경험에 대한 내러티브 탐구이다. 이 연구의 참여자들은 그들의 자녀가 살아 갈 공간이 한국이며, 현재 결혼상황과 한국의 경제적 우위, 그리고 그들을 둘러싼 사회 관계에서 한국어가 더 유용한 자녀 언어라고 인식하고 있었으며, 자신의 모국어가 배제 된 일상의 삶 속에서 자녀와 깊은 감정을 나눌 수 없었던 부정적인 경험을 공유하고 있 었다. 그리고 그들 모국어의 현실적 유용성을 인정해가는 사회적 상황의 변화 속에서 자 녀에게도 자신의 모국어를 가르쳐서 자녀가 이중 언어를 구사할 수 있도록 하는 것이 미래의 경쟁력 확보에 도움이 될 것이라는 현실을 경험해 가고 있었다. 사회적 상황의 변화가 그 언어와 그 언어 사용자의 가치를 변화시켜가고 있는 현실 속에서, 자신의 모 국어의 유용성이 시간적 차원에 따라 변화하고 있음을 인식해 가고 있는 베트남인 결혼 이주여성들의 내러티브는 한국사회에 존재하는 다양한 언어의 공존의 의미를 일깨워주 고 있다.

Background: Sorghum is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It has been grown on a subsistence level by farmers, under various conditions of environmental stresses in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. This plant has received significant attention because of its ability to reduce cholesterol in the blood, and its anti-dementia, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is possible to develop a functional and commercially viable sorghum variety by using superior cultivars of sorghum. The objective of this study was to build a database of superior sorghum accession.Methods and Results: We used 250 sorghum accessions collected from different geographical bioregions in Korea. We determined various agronomic characters including germination rate and ear length of these accessions. To determine the antioxidant capacity, we measured the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity, total phenolic contents, and total flavonoid contents. Accession 189 showed higher germination (> 80%) than the other accessions. Higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity was observed in 11-SB-078 (RC50; 1.89 ± 2.88 μg/ml), and higher 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)-diammonium salt radical scavenging activity was recorded in 11-SB-116 (RC50; 35.48 ± 2.42 μg/ml) than in the other accessions. The ear length ranged from 15 ㎝ to 48 ㎝, the total phenolic contents ranged from 3 ㎎• GAE/g to 77 ㎎• GAE/g, and total flavonoid contents ranged from 0.09 ㎎• QE/g to 1.07 ㎎• QE/g.Conclusions: Among 250 sorghum accessions, we selected 10 with both superior agronomic characters and highly functional food quality.

Background : Ginseng widely cultivated as a major medicinal herb in Korea, is economically important crop for farmer. Ginseng root disease caused by soil borne pathogens is main factors restricting the quantity and quality of ginseng. The disease can result in harvest loss of up to 20~70% and limits the replanting of ginseng under same field for long time. The traditional control method of agrochemical use is not recommend to control soil borne disease because of difficulty in use and unstable effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several antagonistic microbes for developing biological control method of ginseng root rot. Methods and Results : To select biocontrol agents against ginseng soil borne disease, several bacteria were isolated from ginseng root and rhizosphere soil evaluated in vitro screening of antifungal bacterial against ginseng root pathogens. Two antagonistic bacteria, ES17 and CJ4, showed the strongest inhibition effect against ginseng root pathogen. In the pot experiment under greenhouse conditions, ginseng seedling dipped in bacterial suspension at inoculum density of 106 cfu/ml for 1 hour were planted in pot containing inoculum. Control effect was examined depend on disease severity index at 30 days after inoculation. Ginseng root treated with CJ4 and ES17 isolate reduced root rot disease development on the ginseng root with degrees of control efficacy of 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion : Two biocontrol agent, Burkholderia ambifaria CJ4 and Paenibacillus strain ES17, had strong antifungal efficacy against ginseng soil borne pathogens. These results obtained from in vitro test and pot experiment suggest the potential applicability of the biocontrol agent to control ginseng root rot caused by various soil borne pathogens.

Background : In previous studies, adlay seeds showed a prevalence of diversified fungal flora with the predominant fungal genera being Fusarium (45.6%) and In vitro test showed that fungal toxins like Fumonisin and Zearalenone were produced by Fusarium fujikuroi, F. asiaticum and F. graminearum. Because of this we performed experiments to selecting disinfective chemicals for controlling the Fusarium contamination in the adlay seed. Methods and Results : We carried out the chemical efficacy test such as seed disinfectants selection test appling before planting and pesticides selection test using in the earing season. In the present study, eleven different commercially available seed disinfectant were applied to the adlay seeds. Among 11 seed disinfectants, Hexaconazole+Prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and Prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate (EC) had control value of 80% or above against Fusarium species tested. In the pesticides selection test, seven different commercially available pesticides for Fusarium blight (Scab) control were applied and we observed that Metconazole suspension concentrate(SC) strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of 10 Fusarium species all. Conclusion : From the above results, we selected Hexaconazole+Prochloraz EC and Prochloraz EC as a seed disinfectants and Metconazole SC as a pesticide using in the earing season for Scab control.

Background : This experiment was conducted to select GAP applying seed disinfectants in Astragalus membranaceus and Platycodon grandiflorum. Methods and Results : We carried out the chemical efficacy and injury test. For the efficacy test, we investigated fungal detection rate by seed disinfectants and for the chemical injury, we investigated germination rate and emergence rate by seed disinfectants in reference amount and fold amount. These experiments carried out two times. The results obtained are as follows. In the experiment for seed disinfectants selection of Astragalus membranaceus, all tested chemicals such as Tebuconazole emulsifiable concentrate(EC), Thiophanate-methyl + Triflumizole wettable powder(WP), Prochloraz copper chloride complex+Tebuconazole suspension concentrate(SC), Prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate(EC), Fludioxonil wetting liquid(WL) and Hexaconazol+Prochloraz emulsifiable concentrate(EC) had control value of 80% or above against seed contaminated fungi. However two chemicals such as Tebuconazole EC and Prochloraz copper chloride complex+Tebuconazole SC and two chemicals such as Prochloraz EC and Hexaconazol+Prochloraz EC exhibited chemical injury significantly in reference amount and in fold amount respectively, compared to non treated control. In the case of seed disinfectants selection of Platycodon grandiflorum, Prochloraz copper chloride complex+Tebuconazole SC, Prochloraz EC and Hexaconazol+Prochloraz EC had control value of above 80% against seed contaminated fungi except Thiophanate-methyl+Triflumizole WP and Fludioxonil WL. However Hexaconazol+Prochloraz EC and Prochloraz copper chloride complex+Tebuconazole SC exhibited chemical injury significantly in reference amount and in fold amount respectively, compared to non treated control. Conclusion : From the above results, we finally selected three items of seed disinfectants including Thiophanate-methyl+Triflumizole WP and Fludioxonil WL in Astragalus membranaceus and Prochloraz emulsion in Platycodon grandiflorum.

Background : This study was carried out to select the medicinal crop having the superior antimicrobial activity against 5 microorganisms among 20 medicinal crops. Methods and Results : Dried plants were extracted by methanol. The extracts of each plant were evaporated under vacuum. The extracts were absorbed into 50㎕ of each extracts on paper disk and diameter of clear zone was confirmed around the colony. The results showed that diameter of the clear zone against Escherichia coli was the widest in Rhus javanica(R. javanica, 16mm), followed by Evening primrose(14.5mm), Chinaberry(13mm) and Giant knotweed(11mm). Also, diameter of the clear zone against Vibrio parahaemolyticu was the widest in R. javanica(26mm), followed by Evening primrose(21mm), chrysanthemum flower(19mm), Chinese pepper(16.5mm), Chidii rhizoma(11.5mm), Curly dock(11.5mm), Comfrey(11mm), Black nightshade(11mm) and Mustard(10mm). Likewise, diameter of the clear zone aginast Proteus mirabilis was the widest in R. javanica(11.5mm), followed by Chinaberry(11mm). Specially, diameter of the clear zone against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus was identified only in R. javanica(12mm and 11mm, respectively). Therefore, R. javanica showed the best excellent antimicrobial activity among 20 medicinal crops. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of R. javanica were 2,725mg/100g and 30.2mg/100g respectively. DPPH and ABTS activity of R. javanica were 92.6% and 98.4%, respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that R. javanica can be utilized as natural food additives and antioxidant materials because of its powerful antimicrobial action and the high antioxidant activity.

Background : This experiment was carried out to improve the labor-intensive task to construct of the traditional ginseng shading system in Korea. In this experiment the selected shading materials was new 6 kinds that HDPE - knitted- monofilament and taped PE Net, with taking into account of the amount of light and the amount of leakage to screen the UV stabilized 0.3% - 0.6%. Compared with the traditional shading material, the black-shading material (wt. 200g/㎡) and the yellow shading material (wt. 300g/㎡) was suitable for the ginseng growing environments in Korea. Methods and Results : The installation of shading system was the 45 degree slope -2 meter height from the ground with the selected shading materials for the wide structure ginseng cultivation. Temperature and light intensity was measured with a week interval from the surface to a height of 30cm. The two kinds of the 1st selected materials and the traditional black + blue two layer shading materials, aluminum screen, Canada Gintec shading material, total 5 kinds of materials were installed in wide structure. The growing environmental analysis was measured using data logs (watchdog 1600series). Conclusion : In the first selection of shading materials for Ginseng wide structure, the levels of light intensity were higher in order of blue-shading> Aluminum- shading> black-shading order. The temperatures of the under wide structures were lower in order of the black-shading< aluminum-shading screen< blue-shading order, especially the temperature of the black shading material was lower than the outside temperature. For the second selection of shading material of the ginseng wide structure, the black and yellow shading material were superior to the other materials, in the amount of light shading material and growing conditions and the degree of leakage etc. The temperatures of mid-May in wide structures of ginseng cultivation were higher in order of aluminum-screen> Canada shading materials (Gintec Co.) 2 layer material> Yellow shading> black shading order, and also the amounts of light intensity also was shown to be with the same manner

The aim of this study is to select the superior resources of high yield, high content of functional material optimal to mechanical harvesting by the evaluation of crop growth and yield characteristics in sorghum germplasm. One hundred accessions of sorghum germplasm were used in this experiment. Days from seeding to heading date showed the range from 68 to 94 days with the highest frequency proportion was the group from 80 to 85 days, which occupied 34% (34 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Ear types of 100 sorghum germplasm could be classified as 7 types of broom-tillering, half broom-tillering, extreme open-loose type, open-loose type, intermediate type, compact type, extreme-compact type of which intermediate type was the highest ratio of 28% (28 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Yield showed the range from 106 to 365 ㎏/10a with the highest frequency proportion of it was the group from 150 to 200 ㎏/10a, which occupied 44% (44 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Among 100 sorghum germplasm, 18 ideal resources of high yield and short plant height appropriate for mechanical harvesting were selected. In order to evaluate high content of functional substance, selected 18 resources were analyzed for total polyphenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and total anthocyanin content. Finally, we selected 5 resources of short plant height, high yield, high content of total polyphenol and high DPPH radical scavenging activity among 18 genetic resources.

Four bacterial blight resistance genes, Xa1+Xa3+xa5+Xa21, pyramid elite japonica rice lines were developed for enhancing the resistance of rice against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Korea. Seven doubled haploid (RDL1-7) and ten F6 lines (RPL1-10) having Xa1+Xa3+xa5+Xa21 which were derived from the cross between Ilmi, high grain quality japonica rice cultivar carrying Xa1, and Iksan575, elite line carrying Xa3+xa5+Xa21, were developed using marker-assisted selection for resistance genes and phenotypic selection for bacterial blight resistance and agronomic traits. Among resistance genes combinations in F2 population, four resistance genes combination, Xa1+Xa3+xa5+Xa21, showed the highest resistance and conferred the enhanced resistance than three genes combination, Xa3+xa5+Xa21. Four genes pyramid lines (RDL and RPL) showed broad-spectrum resistant against 16 Korean bacterial blight isolates and the yield and quality of the lines did not alter by the inoculation of K3a, the most virulent race in Korea. In addition, these lines had excellent plant type and exhibited more enhanced yield than previously developed resistant cultivars. Four bacterial blight resistance genes combination, Xa1+Xa3+xa5+Xa21, was efficient and promising combination and developed lines with four genes could be useful materials and will be applied to the breeding programs for enhancing the resistance of japonica rice against bacterial blight.

The study was conducted to obtain the basic information for extending the harvest season and selecting superior cultivars of mango. For the purposes, various cultivars were imported and cultivated in greenhouse condition, Korea. The periods of flowering and fruit maturity and fruit qualities among cultivars were investigated under greenhouse condition. As the early variety, the harvest time of ‘Carrie’ and ‘Glenn’ was fastest as June 3 based on harvest time and cumulative temperature. ‘Kent’, ‘Philippine’, ‘Irwin’, ‘Choc-anon’, and ‘Fairchild’ as the early variety were harvested from June 8 to June 13. ‘Zill’, ‘Florigon’, ‘Alphonso’, ‘Mallika’, ‘Kensington Pride’, ‘Bailey’s Marvel’, and ‘Pinkering’ as midseason cultivar were harvested from June 15 to June 23. ‘Dot’, ‘Keitt’, ‘Gold Nugget’, and ‘Lancetilla’ as late ripening variety were harvested from July 5 to July 10. The fruit weights of ‘Keitt’ and ‘Kent’ were more than 650g and those of ‘Fairchild’ and ‘Lancetilla’ were less than 200g. The fruit weights of other cultivars were from 300 to 400g. The soluble solid contents of ‘Zill’, ‘Irwin’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Glenn’ were almost 15Brix and those of other cultivars were higher than that of ‘Irwin’. The soluble solid contents of ‘Pinkering’, ‘Philippine’, ‘Lancetilla’, ‘Dot’, and ‘Alphonso’ were about 20Brix and flavors of those cultivars are excellent. The acid contents of cultivars were investigated from 0.2 to 0.4% but that of ‘Fairchild’ was 0.8%.

Among agronomists, there appears to be a confusion in selecting among standard deviation (SD), standard error (SE) and confidence interval (CI) in reporting their results as figures and graphs. If there is a confusion in selection among them, there should also be difficulties in interpreting results published in peer-reviewed journals. This review paper aims to help researchers better suited for reporting their results as well as interpreting others by revisiting the definition of SD, SE and CI and explaining in plain words the concepts behind the formula. A variation among observation obtained from an experiment can be explained by the use of SD, a descriptive statistic. If one wants to draw an attention to a variation observed among plant germplasm collected from different regions or countries, SD can be reported along with the mean so that readers can get an idea how much variation exists in the particular set of germplasm. When the purpose of reporting experiment results is about inferring true mean of the population, it is advised to use SE or CI, both inferential statistics. For example, a certain chemical compound is to be quantified from plant materials, estimated mean with SD does not tell the range where the true mean content of the chemical compound would lie. It merely indicates how variable the measured values were from replications. In this case, it would be better to report the mean with SE or CI. The author recommends the use of CI over SE since CI is a sort of adjusted SE. The adjustment comes from t value that considers not only the probability but also n size.

For electrolysis process using an insoluble electrode, electrochemical performance was greatly affected by the manufacturing method and procedure, such as the firing temperature, pre-treatment, type of precursor solution, coating method, electrode material, etc. Components of the electrode therein is one of the most important factors in electrochemical reaction. To achieve such characteristics, a appropriate ratio of the electrode material should be carefully chosen. The aim of this research was to apply experimental design method in the optimization of electrode component for the maximum generation of oxidants in electrochemical oxidation process. Mixture design, especially expanded simplex lattice design, in DOME (design of mixture experiments) with Design Expert - commercial software - was used to analyze the data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a high coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.9470, thus ensuring a satisfactory adjustment of the 3rd order special cubic regression model with the experimental data. The application of response surface methodology (RSM) yielded the following regression equation, which is an empirical relationship between the TRO generation concentration and independent variables(mol ratio of 3 electrode components) in a real unit: TRO generation concentration (mg/L) = TRO conc. = 98.25×[Ir] + 49.71×[Sn] + 95.29×[Sb] 16.91×[Ir]×[Sn] - 29.47×[Ir]×[Sb] 22.65×[Sn]×[Sb] + 703.19 ×[Ir]×[Sn]×[Sb]. The optimized formulation of the 3 component electrode for an high TRO (total residual oxidants) generation was acquired at mol ratio of Ir 0.406, Sn 0.210, Sb 0.384 (desirability d value, 1).

Bird species (BS) of the Nakdong River estuary (NRE) were selected to suggest conservation and management strategies, taking habitats and major threats into consideration. Five BS (Cygnus spp., Calidris alpina, Sterna albifrons, Fulica atra, and Anser fabalis) were selected following analysis of their dominance, national importance, seasonality, taxonomic group, and distribution within the NRE. The BS comprise two winter birds, one summer, one passage bird, and one resident bird. They can also be classified into four taxonomic groups: two under ducks and geese (Anatidae), and one each under gulls (Laridae), shorebirds (Scolopacidae), and diving birds (Rallidae). The results show that BS could be a useful tool in guiding estuary management because their habitats are clearly distinct, and include important areas of the NRE. A reduction of feeding and resting places—such as tidal flats, Scirpus planiculmis habitat, and agricultural farmland—and climate change are major threats to BS, therefore countermeasures to such threats should be considered in future estuary management plans.

The mortality was tested to organic control materials to the E. maslovskii adults by the dipping method in laboratory. As the result, in 2014, the extracts of Neem Ⅰ was not shown control effect by 10.2% control efficacy to E. maslovskii adults in laboratory. The extract of Sophora flavescens roots was shown 84.7% mortality. And other 5 materials were shown 100% insecticidal activity to the adults in laboratory. I n 2015, Plant extract+pyrolignous acid Matrine 0.45% and Plant extract Matrine 0.5+paraffin oil 8% were shown 100% and 94.6% control efficacy, respectively. In the Japanese apricot orchards, the fruit damage rate was low on spray at 21th April in Daap, Gwangyang city, and 8th May Hwangjeon, Suncheon city in Jeonnam province in 2014. The fruit damage rate differed from spray timing and materials, but it was considered that the control of E. maslovskii should be in late April to early May. Otherwise, in 2015, the fruit damage was significantly low in late April spray in Daap, but no significant was in between one spray at 21th, 27th April and 2 spray that days. Meanwhile, the control effect was better 2 times spray of the days in Hwangjeon, Suncheon city in Jeonnam province. Therefore, in organic Japanese apricot, the use of insecticidal materials recommended to control over twice spay in from meddle to late April.

This study intended to apprehend preference factors in the automobile purchase decision of Korean consumers. This study in particular apprehended an optimal combination of automobile selection attributes through preference attribute analysis, such as brand type, fuel type, brand personality, engine displacement, and other characteristics among automobile selection attributes. This study also intended to suggest a combination of automobile selection attributes that Korean prefer by presenting a preference analysis of demographic characteristics attributes of the respondents using a conjoint analysis method. Korean consumers at large preferred imported semi medium sized hybrid automobiles with excellent performance, appearance and distribution network accessibility. That is, they preferred global brand automobiles with excellent performance.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the runoff characteristics of non-point pollution sources in an urban watershed and determine the effectiveness of newly installed riverwater treatment system to reduce water pollution caused by storm runoff in the urban watershed. The results of this study showed that the levels of BOD5 and suspended solid were highly influenced by first-flush effect and the pollutant load of those two parameters were also very high in the urban watershed. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of riverwater treatment system to reduce the levels of BOD5 and suspended solid was relatively high, but those to reduce the levels of T-N and T-P was low, which needs some additional unit treatment process such as filtration and coagulation. Nonetheless, the riverwater treatment system tested was relatively simple in installation and operation, effective in removing many water pollutants and, most importantly, does not require much space as other treatment systems, so it could be an attractive alternative option to reduce riverwater pollution caused by storm runoff in urban watersheds.

Background : To control ginseng gray mold, farmers have mainly used inorganic chemical based fungicides. The recent emergence of fungicide resistance has reduced the effectiveness of such control methods. Such pesticides also carry additional problems, such as diffuse pollution. Methods and Results : Six treatments of organic agricultural materials were tested for control of ginseng gray mold, CAPW (Chrysophanic acid + Phytoncide +Wood vinegar), EmEWV (Emodin + Ethanol +Wood vinegar), CEWV (Curcumin + Eugenol +Wood vinegar), Bacillus subtilis, soybean oil and sulfur. The control effect for gray mold by a single application of the agrochemical fungicide industrial Fenhexamid wettable powder (WP) was 84.4%. The control effect by CAPW, EmEWV and CEWV varied between 52.7 - 64.9%. The control effect by B. subtilis, soybean oil, and sulfur were 32.9 - 59.2%. Conclusions : In the field tests, CAPW showed the highest control effects when used before, and at first stage of disease incidence, against ginseng gray mold.

Various types of parks such as ecological park, dragonfly park, etc. are tried to design in order to resolve different environmental issues in urban areas. Parks are considered organism habitats that not only improve the biodiversity but also give people a chance to observe living organisms in urban area. This study was conducted to select basic materials for planning a butterfly garden through reference reviews. The following 21 species of butterflies belonged to 1 order, 4 families, and 16 genera were selected: Phengaris teleius, Pseudozizeeria maha, Thecla betulae, Argynnis hyperbius, Dichorragia nesimachus, Hestina assimilis, Polygonia caureum, Sasakia charonda, Vanessa cardui, Vanessa indica, Boloria selene, Byasa alcinous, Papilio machaon, Papilio macilentus, Papilio protenor, Papilio xuthus, Papilio bianor, Sericinus montela, Colias erate, Eurema hecabe, and Pieris rapae. 85 species belonged to 22 families, 59 genera, 74 species, 10 varieties, and 1 subspecies were selected for host and nectar plants for butterflies selected above. These results would be expected to useful in butterfly gardening. After that, we think it is necessary to be applied these study results in field. This study requires a test in the butterfly garden. The test results will be make the butterfly-plant matrix.

This study was conducted to select native ground cover plants for sod culture in an organic apple orchard by estimating the effect of three native ground cover plants, Glechoma hederacea, Thymus magnus, and Ixeris stolonifera, on the soil coverage, time-periodic weed occurrence, fruit characteristics, and soil chemical properties. The plant height of G. hederace, T. magnus and I. stolonifera were 15.0 ㎝, 13.4 ㎝ and 7.2 ㎝, respectively. The dry weight of G. hederace, T. magnus and I. stolonifera were 463 ㎏/10a, 247 ㎏/10a, and 255 ㎏/10a, respectively. The plant height and dry weight of G. hederacea were higher than in the other species. T. magnus and I. stolonifera having relatively lower soil cover rate during their life cycle produced a lot of weeds in the orchard as compared with the control. In contrast, G. hederacea showed 100 percentage of ground cover in the first year, and maintained high percentage of ground cover in the growing season of ‘Tsugaru’ apple for another 2 years. When the soil was covered with G. hederacea in the orchard for 3 years, the amount of weed was only 114 ㎏/10a and number of weeding was also reduced about 33% compared with control as well as the other species. There were no differences in the tree growth and fruit characteristics between the native ground cover plants and the control; however, positive effects of native ground cover plants on soil chemical properties were found. In G. hederacea, available P2O4content in soils remarkably increased and was a significant difference among native species. In addition, cation (Ca, Mg and K) content in soils increased by 39% in Ca, 6% in Mg, and 11% in K at G. hederacea compared with control. These results suggest that G. hederacea could be advantageous in terms of reducing the amount of herbicide applied and the labor required for weed control, and controlling soil chemical properties; therefore, it is a good candidate for sod culture in an organic apple orchard.