This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly horticultural substrate that promotes the growth of organic onion(Allium cepa L.) seedlings. Four substrates were prepared by mixing different ratios of peatmoss, cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, and zeolite. Their pH and electrical conductivities ranged from 5.12 to 5.60 and from 0.07 to 0.08 dS/m, respectively. Beneficial microorganisms, molasses, sesame oil cake, and sulfur were added to one substrate combination, which was named “environmentally friendly horticultural substrate” (EFHS). The chemical properties of the EFHS were analyzed and compared with a commercial organic horticultural substrate (OHS) and a commercial general horticultural substrate (GHS). The organic matter and inorganic ion (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, zinc, and sulfur) contents in the EFHS were higher than those in the OHS and GHS. The germination rates of onion seeds in the EFHS were higher than in the OHS and GHS. The mean number of leaves, sheath diameter per seedling, and weight of 30-day-old seedlings grown on the EFHS were greater than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS. The length of the seedlings grown on the EFHS was comparable to that of the seedlings grown on the OHS and greater than that of the seedlings grown on the GHS. Overall, the growth parameters of onion seedlings grown on the EFHS were better than those of seedlings grown on the OHS and GHS, suggesting that the EFHS may be used as an organic horticultural substrate for growing organic onion seedlings.

본 연구에서는 농업 분야 유용미생물 자원의 국가적 확보 현황을 파악하기 위해 이들의 생물분류학적 정보를 수집하였으며 이들에 대해 생물 종 다양성 지수를 도입하여 평가하였다. 대표적인 생물다양성 평가방법인 Margalef’s richness 및 Mehinick’s index를 각각 적용한 경우 세균은 각각 8.537, 3.546, 진균은 각각 3.349, 2.167의 값을 나타내었다. 높은 수준의 다양성을 가지고 연구·개발되고 있는 이들 농업 분야 유용미생물 및 농산물의 수확 후 선도저하를 유발한다고 보고된 주요 미생물들의 분류학적 위치를 비교하였을 때 일부 미생물이 유사한 분류학적 위치를 보이는 것이 확인되었다. 따라서 친환경 농업 분야 유용미생물의 연구개발 및 작물 내생 미생물에 관한 연구 등 농업 분야 미생물에 대한 전반 적인 연구현황을 고찰하여 농산물의 수확 후 선도관리를 위한 보완책을 제시하고자 하였다.

The composting characteristics of BM sludge and the control sludge were compared. Feasibility of using coffee groundsas a bulking agent was examined, along with sawdust. It was observed that composting of BM sludge had a faster rateof reaction than with the control sludge, and higher temperatures were reached. When using coffee grounds as a bulkingagent, the caffeine in the coffee seemed to absorb the odors, allowing a composting with almost no odors. Moreover,when coffee grounds used as the bulking agent, total organic matter content increased by approximately 17% over sawdust,while total nitrogen increased by 49%, and available phosphorus by approximately 3%.

Recycling of food wastes was tried based on fermenting and composting food wastes using a microbial consortium. Manufactured compost (using 11.3% food waste) turned out to be effective in increasing soil fertility and crop growth (radish; Raphanus sativus). More specifically, the treatment of the composted food wastes enabled a stimulated growth of radish leaves by 80% and an increased uptake of δ15NAIR by 250% compared with a commercial organic compost. Moreover, the compost derived from the wastes appeared to allow a sustainable management of nitrogen fertilizer compared with the chemical fertilizer, minimizing nitrogen pollution. The microbial community analysis showed significant difference in the microbial community pattern in soil treated with the composted food wastes relative to soil treated with a commercial organic fertilizer or a chemical fertilizer. The results may indicate that the wastes processed by the consortium could result in an efficient recycling of the nuisance materials such as food wastes and other organic solid wastes.