National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-026-02139-3.

This study evaluated whether compost produced by agricultural residues-mixed livestock manure could improve crop productivity and soil quality while reducing inorganic fertilizer use and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in upland cultivation of autumn Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.). Direct incorporation of crop residues often provides limited benefits due to slow decomposition and nitrogen immobilization; therefore, residues were aerobically co-composted with livestock manure and applied in combination with inorganic fertilizers. The results showed that treatments receiving the agricultural residue–manure compost significantly increased cabbage growth and yield. In particular, the treatment combining compost with 50% the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate produced higher yields than the 100% inorganic fertilizer treatment alone. Compost application improved soil chemical properties, including higher pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and exchangeable base cations, and enhanced nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. Moreover, cumulative N₂O emissions were reduced by about 21% in the 50% rate inorganic fertilizer plus compost treatment compared with inorganic fertilizer alone. Overall, these findings indicate that co-composted agricultural residues and livestock manure can serve as an effective soil amendment, maintaining high crop productivity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on inorganic fertilizers, thereby supporting more sustainable nutrient management in upland cropping systems. Acknowledgments This study was supported by (2026) the RDA Fellowship Program of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. RS-2022-RD010368), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

ABSTRACTLinepithema humile is a well‐known invasive alien species that was first detected in 2019 at the cargo handling area of Busan Station in South Korea and has since established a population near the discovery site. Despite sufficient time for potential spread, no additional occurrence records have been reported outside the initial detection site. To predict its potential distribution across South Korea, we constructed species distribution models (SDMs) using occurrence data from its native range in South America and invasive range in North America. Modeling was conducted with the BIOMOD2 platform using five algorithms (ANN, GBM, MARS, MAXENT, and RF) and six environmental variables (Bio03, Bio04, Bio13, Bio16, Bio18, and the mean annual cumulative soil temperature degree‐days above 15.9°C). Model performance was evaluated with Kappa, ROC, and TSS, and only models meeting thresholds (Kappa ≥ 0.7, ROC ≥ 0.7, and TSS ≥ 0.5) were used for ensemble modeling via EMmean, EMwmean, and EMca methods. Projection accuracy was assessed using chi‐square tests based on occurrence data not used in model training. The predicted potential distribution included southern and southwestern coastal areas, which was consistent with the record in Busan. This study demonstrates the utility of SDMs trained on occurrence data from outside Korea in predicting the potential distribution of L. humile with limited domestic records and highlights high‐risk areas beyond Busan. Such approaches may support early detection and management strategies in the initial stages of biological invasion.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) method (CO2T) for measuring enteric methane (CH4) emissions was validated using emissions data derived from respiration chambers (RC). The study was conducted over a period of 108 d using ten Holstein heifers with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 178 ± 24 kg and average age of 7 ± 0.7 months. There were three consecutive experimental periods, each consisting of 21 d of premeasurement feeding, followed by two 3-d periods of CH4 measurement sessions with the CO2T and the RC, respectively, for each animal. The diet consisted of 55% timothy hay and 45% concentrate, and was supplied twice daily at 1.2% to 1.5% BW on an as-fed basis. The CO2T measurements were conducted at morning and afternoon feeding. There were no significant differences in dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.155), CH4 production (L/d and L/kg BW0.75; P = 0.492 and P = 0.625, respectively), and CH4 yield (L/kg DMI; P = 0.275) between the two methods. Results obtained using the RC and the CO2T were strongly correlated for both CH4 production (L/d; r = 0.67, P = 0.042) and CH4 yield (L/kg DMI; r = 0.61, P = 0.062). Linear regression analysis revealed moderate positive relationships between the two methods for CH4 production (R2 = 0.52; P = 0.019) and CH4 yield (R2 = 0.43; P = 0.039). In conclusion, the CO2T and the RC produce comparable results, with acceptable accuracy and precision.

The present research reports the first record in Poland of the alien invasive and quarantine species Chaetosiphon (Pentatrichopus) fragaefolii (Cockerell, 1901) – the strawberry aphid. Native to North America, it is a critical pest and viral vector associated with strawberry crops. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic and morphological characteristics of the strawberry aphid. By integrating morphological and molecular analyses, the taxonomic resolution has been improved and the understanding of this economically important species has been deepened, particularly regarding its genetic diversity, distribution, and potential invasion routes. For the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to elucidate the general morphology, chaetotaxy, and sensilla of the antennae and mouthparts, contributing to improved knowledge related to both natural and chemical control strategies.

Hwan-Hee Bae, Young-Sam Go, Jae-Han Son, Jun-Young Ha, Jin-Seok Lee, Jung-Tae Kim, Seong-Hyu Shin, Yu-Chan Choi, and Tae-Wook Jung. Korean J. Breed. Sci. 2025;57:529-36. https://doi.org/10.9787/KJBS.2025.57.4.529

Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) is a popular ornamental plant used widely in Korea. In March 2024, five lisianthus plants showing virus-like symptoms, including concentric chlorotic spots, yellowing, and necrosis, were collected from a greenhouse in in Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea (Supplementary Figure S1a). Disease incidence was greater than 10% in a greenhouse covering approximately 3,000 m2. To identify the causal virus, total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves, and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was conducted using species-specific primers (Supplementary Table S2) for five known lisianthus-infecting viruses: broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) (Chen et al. 2008; Doi and Kato 2003). Four of five samples tested positive for INSV only (Supplementary Figure S1b). INSV (Orthotospovirus impatiensnecromaculae, family Tospoviridae) is a thrips-transmitted virus (vectors: Frankliniella occidentalis and F. intonsa) and is also transmissible via mechanical inoculation. It infects various hosts, particularly those in the Solanaceae family, including pepper (Naidu et al., 2005), and is classified as a quarantine virus in Korea. To isolate the virus, sap from symptomatic lisianthus leaves was mechanically inoculated onto Nicotiana glutinosa, followed by three single-lesion passages and propagation in N. benthamiana. The isolate, designated INSV-GH3, was further used in host range studies involving 34 indicator plant species (Supplementary Table S3 and Figure S4). INSV-GH3 induced ring spots, necrotic local lesions, or systemic vein necrosis in Nicotiana spp., pepper and tomato plants. Inoculated lisianthus plants exhibited concentric ring spots and stunting. No symptoms were observed in plants from the Leguminosae, Cucurbitaceae, and Brassicaceae families. INSV infection in symptomatic plants was confirmed by RT-PCR. The complete genome sequences of the L (8,778 nt), M (4,971 nt), and S (2,996 nt) RNA segments of INSV-GH3 were obtained using RT-PCR with specific primers (Zhao et al., 2018) and deposited in GenBank (accession nos. PV659161, PV659162, and PV659160, respectively). BLASTn analysis showed 99% nucleotide identity to INSV sequences from Tulbaghia violacea in China (ON529552-ON529554). To our knowledge, this is the first report of INSV infection in lisianthus in Korea. Although INSV was previously detected in Capsicum annuum (2009), Hoya carnosa (2016), and Plantago asiatica (2020) in Korea, those outbreaks were promptly eradicated (Kim et al. 2012; Kim et al. 2017; Chung et al. 2021). Since lisianthus may serve as a potential reservoir for INSV transmission to other crops, the identification of INSV infection in lisianthus is significant for the prevention and management of INSV in both lisianthus and other susceptible plant species in Korea.

Abstract Food waste contributes significantly to environmental challenges, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and soil and water contamination through conventional disposal methods. Converting food waste into food waste compost (FWC) offers an alternative that reduces GHG emissions and enriches soil carbon stocks, supporting sustainable agriculture. However, the high sodium (Na) levels in FWC can adversely impact soil health and crop growth. Therefore, the objective was to thoroughly investigate the effect of different amounts of FWC on soil chemical properties, soil carbon stock (SOC), nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), growth, and yield of Chinese cabbage over three crop seasons. The treatments included: ⅰ) No fertilization (NF), ⅱ) inorganic fertilization (NPK, control), ⅲ) NPK + FWC-1 time (FWC1, optimal amount of food waste compost), ⅳ) NPK + FWC-2 times (FWC2), and ⅴ) NPK + FWC-3 times (FWC3). The results showed that excessive FWC application decreased NUE (27.1%) and negatively affected cabbage yield. The FWC3 treatment during second and third crop seasons (CS) increased soil electrical conductivity (EC), Na content, and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Initial FWC applications enhanced SOC stocks by 8.2%; however, continuous use declined SOC stocks. The FWC2 of the second CS increased the NUE and yield of Chinese cabbage, while growth improved in the FWC2 of the first CS. This study provides valuable insights into the balanced use of FWC to improve soil properties, crop growth, and soil carbon sequestration and promote sustainable agriculture.