This study was performed to evaluate the influence of composting process with an intermittent aeration on the variation of rhizosphere soil temperature, CO₂ and NH₃ release, and the growth reponse of tomato plantlet in traditional and composting g...
This study was performed to evaluate the influence of composting process with an intermittent aeration on the variation of rhizosphere soil temperature, CO₂ and NH₃ release, and the growth reponse of tomato plantlet in traditional and composting greenhouse. As the temperature of composting materials increased, rhizosphere soil temperature in 30㎝ depth rose up to 32℃ at one week after introduction. This was 18℃ higher than that of traditional greenhouse. After 20 days of active composting, temperature of rhizosphere soil started to decrease and remained constant at 23℃ after 35 days. For the traditional greenhouse, the averaged temperature ranged at 14∼15℃. This results showed that composting greenhouse had the greater effect on increasing the underground temperature. Average value of evoluted CO₂ from the composting greenhouse for 70 days was 782∼1154ppm. This was 1.7∼2.6 times higher than that of the traditional greenhouse with an average of 440∼462 ppm. NH₃ release was highest during 2∼10 days in intermittent aerated composting and reached to 134 ppm maximum on the 5th day, then decreased rapidly, and maintained at 3∼4 ppm after 17 days. Increased photosynthesis due to the CO₂ gas and a favorable rhizosphere environment due to the increased underground temperature resulted in improved growth, yield, and Brix degree of tomato fruit.