초식, 포식, 분해 등 생태학적 서비스를 제공하는 지표 배회성 절지동물은 사과원의 중요한 구성 요소이며, 이들의 군집에 영향을 미치는 잡초는 유기재배와 관행재배 사과원에서 다르게 관리된다. 잡초 관리와 관련된 과수원 관리가 지표 배회성 절지동물의 풍부도와 다양도에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 3년간 연구를 수행하였다. 대부분의 절지동물은 상위분류군과 섭식 기능군으로 분류하였으며, 딱정벌레류는 종 수준으로 분류하였다. 지표 배회성 절지동물의 주요 우점군은 딱정벌레목으로 나타났다. 초식자와 포식자의 풍부도는 유기재배 사과원에서 높은 결과를 보였으며, 딱정벌레류의 풍부도와 다양도 또한 관행재배 과원보다 유기재배 사과원에서 높은 결과를 보였다. 거미목, 딱정벌레목 또는 딱정벌레류의 풍부도는 잡초 관리 빈도와 음의 상관관계를 보였다. 지표 배회성 절지동물은 농업 시스템보다 잡초 관리에 영향을 더 많이 받는 것으로 나타났다.

The length frequency and weight-length relationships within the loach population of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were investigated in environment-friendly (EFP) and conventional paddy fields (CP) in South Korea, in order to identify the influences of farming practices to the loach population living in paddy ecosystem. The size-frequency of distribution of M. anguillicaudatus populations noted to differ significantly when the loach populations of the EFP and the CP were compared. The mean weight and length of the loach population in EFP was greater than those of the loaches in CP. The equations based on weight and total length relationship in EFP and CP were W=0.000004L3.0747 and W=0.000002L3.2106, respectively. The condition factor (K) against total length of loaches at two paddy field types with different farming practices indicates that the loach population in EFP (mean K=0.95) had access to better nutritional conditions than those in CP (mean K=0.67). It therefore appears that the size and structure of loach populations in rice paddy fields might be affected by farming practices.

Organic production practices varied among producers. Generally, organic producers were relying on imported input materials such as organic compost and liquid fertilizer even more than conventional producers. Very few organic farmers had composting facilities or sites for the own supply of compost in need. The productivity of organic kiwifruit orchard (92%) was not as low as that of conventional while the net income (243%) was more than double that of conventional. This was mainly aftributed to high farm gate price of organic fruits, low paid labour use and electricity. As a consequence, organic kiwifruit production seems to become a feasible option in Korea. However, high dependence on imported farming material, fuel and labour for too frequent liquid fertilizer spray should be addressed to achieve long term sustainability of organic kiwifruit production.