Agricultural practices are known to have a crucial influence not only on soil physico-chemical properties but also on microbial communities. To investigate the effect of farming practices on soil microbial communities, a total of 10 soil samples were collected, including five conventional and five organic farming soils cultivated with peppers in plastic greenhouse. We conducted barcorded-pyrosequencing of V1-V3 regions of 16S rRNA genes to examine soil microbial communities of two different farming practices. Taxonomic classification of the microbial communities at the phylum level indicated that a total of 22 bacterial phyla were present across all samples. Among them, seven abundant phyla (>3%) including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes were found, and Proteobacteria (33.0 ± 5.7%), Actinobacteria (19.9 ± 9.7%), and Firmicutes (13.6 ± 5.0%) comprised more than 66% of the relative abundance of the microbial communities. Organic farming soils showed higher relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were more abundant in conventional farming soils. Notably, the genera Bacillus (higher in organic farming soils) and Streptomyces (higher in conventional farming soils) exhibited significant variation in relative abundance between organic and conventional farming soils. Finally, correlation analysis identified significant relationships (p<0.05) between soil chemical properties, in particular, pH and organic matter content and microbial communities. Taken together, this study demonstrated that the changes of soil physico-chemical properties by agricultural farming practices effected significantly (p<0.05) on soil microbial communities.

This study was conducted to establish the type and method of fertilization for no-tillage during the third year of No-tillage (NT) and Conventional-tillage (CT) practices, towards different kinds of fertilizers. In this experiment, the livestock manure showed higher in response to fertilizer effects of no-tillage. Comparing growth characteristics and yield in NT and CT. Regarding yield, there is no significant between livestock fertilizer and chemical fertilizer, but between livestock fertilizer and chemical fertilizer in conventional fertilization has significant differences. Based on the result, livestock fertilizer is effective way on the quantity of the crop. Nitrogen absorption of plant in livestock of no-tillage is more effective than conventional fertilization. In case of the phosphorus absorption and potassium absorption of plant, fertilizer effect has no significant. Nitrogen is highly absorbed in livestock fertilization of NT. Absorption of phosphorus and potassium are similar.

The objective of the present study was to perform a comparative analysis of the chemical properties of the cultivation site soil and growth characteristics of organically and conventionally cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). Organically and conventionally cultivated ginseng samples (4-, 5-, and 6-year-old) were collected from 52 fields at 14 locations throughout Korea. The samples were collected over three years from 2013 to 2015, with the collection period between October and November of each year. In order to increase the yield of organically cultivated ginseng, the amount of nutrients was increased to match that of the conventional cultivation system, which highlights the need for proper management in accordance with the standards for chemical properties of soil. Growth duration of organic ginseng was ≥60 days shorter than that of conventional ginseng and its average yield per 1ha was 60% than that of conventional ginseng. Root weight of organically cultivated ginseng was approximately 54% that of conventionally cultivated ginseng. Rhizome diameter and body shape index of organically cultivated ginseng were lower than those of conventionally cultivated ginseng, indicating that organically cultivated ginseng was thinner and longer than conventionally cultivated ginseng. Root length was greater in 5-year-old conventionally cultivated ginseng with a low percentage of paddy-upland rotation fields. The number of rootlets was lower in 5- and 6-year-old organically cultivated ginseng with a high percentage of direct seeding cultivation. Dry weight was distinctly lower in 5- and 6-year-old organically cultivated ginseng with early defoliation than that of conventionally cultivated ginseng. Incidences of notched belly and root rot tended to be higher in conventional cultivation, with the incidence of notched belly being distinctly higher in 4- and 6-year-old roots and root rot being more prevalent in 5- and 6-year-old roots. Red discoloration and eelworm damage, which are highly affected by soil moisture, were most common in the organically cultivated 4-year-old roots. Organically cultivated ginseng showed early defoliation than conventionally cultivated ginseng, as a result, its yield and weight were low, while the incidence of physiological disorders was low. In order to increase the yield of organically cultivated ginseng, studies on cultivation technology that can overcome early defoliation, as well as soil moisture management that can minimize physiological disorders, are required.

Organic ginseng farming has rapidly increased in response to consumer demand for a safe product which improves health. Differences in soil nutrient concentration and ginsenoside content between organic and conventional ginseng farming have, however, not yet been properly studied. Therefore the aim of the present study was to compare soil nutrient concentration and ginsenoside content between these two farming systems. NO3-N, P2O5, and K were significantly different between organic and conventional ginseng farming. The total content of ginsenoside and individual ginsenoside components were higher in organically grown ginseng than in ginseng from conventional farming, although there is no significant difference. Particularly, protopanaxadiol saponins were higher than protopanaxatriol saponins in ginseng from organic farming compared to ginseng produced by conventional farming. NO3-N content in soils showed a negative correlation with the content of ginseno-sides Rb2 and Rd. In addition, P2O5 showed a negative correlation with ginseno-sides Rb1, Rc, and PD/PT ratio. Organic matter showed a positive crrelation with ginsenosides Re. To increase the ginsenoside content of ginseng, we recommend increasing organic matter and decreasing NO3-N and P2O5 contents in the soil.

Available phosphorus(P2O5) in conventionally cultivated soil was more abundant in two fold than that of organically cultivated soil. Relative density of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) was higher in organically cultivated soil, That of welsh onion cultivated soil was the highest, that of strawberry was followed and then that of pepper, respectively. Relative density of AMF was inversely proportioned to available soil phosphorus. Phosphorus content of crop and relative density of AMF were more abundant in organically cultivated crop or soil. However available soil phosphorus content was much in conventionally cultivated soil. The phosphorus contents between soil and crop were negatively correlated. The phosphorus content of crop was increased as the relative density of AMF increased. Relative density of AMF in the organically cultivated soil and phosphorus content of the crop with organic cultivation were higher than those of conventionally cultivated.

To investigate a comparison of rice yield and quality between organic and conventional cultivation, study for occurrence of rice diseases carried out in rice (Oryza sativa L.) field of Noahn and Bannam region. The results obtained as following: 1) Bactericide and insecticide were applied twice and four times at Noahn and Bannam region in conventional cultivation (C.C) of rice field, respectively, it was applied twice at two region in organic cultivation (O.C). Rice strip virus, leaf blast, neck blast, sheath blight, bacterial leaf blight, rice water weevil, rice leaf folder, and plant hoppers were occurred mainly in rice field. Leaf blast, neck blast, and rice leaf folder were occurred highly at O.C compared with C.C. 2) Growth level of rice in clum and panicle length was lower at O.C than C.C. Number of panicles per hill was by 0.6 higher at O.C than C.C. Number of panicles per hill was by 0.6 higher at O.C than C.C in Noahn region. Number of spikelets per panicle, grain filling ratio, brown/rough rice ratio, and weight of 1,000 grains was lower at O.C than C.C. Number of panicles per hill was by 0.8 lower at O.C than C.C in Bannam region. Number of spikelets per panicle and grain filling ratio was higher at O.C than C.C while brown/rough rice ratio was lower at O.C. Total yield percentage of rice in O.C was level of 84% at Noahn region and 94% at Bannam region compared with C.C. 3) Head rice percentage was lower at in O.C than C.C at two region. Protein and palatability (Toyo value) were lower at O.C than C.C in Bannam region causing occurrence of neck blast and rice leaf folder by oversupply of nitrogen fertilizer. Protein, whiteness, and palatability (Toyo value) were adequate level at O.C in Noahn region by lower nitrogen fertilizer.