This study aimed to improve the stem-cutting propagation efficiency and morphophysiological characteristics of the variegated ornamental foliage plant Hedera algeriensis cv. Gloire de Marengo using two types of auxins and four concentrations for each type of auxinic rooting promoter tested here. The following nine concentrations were used: control; 3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg·L-1; and 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg·L-1. Plant size parameters varied with the auxinic rooting promoter concentrations, with IBA and NAA producing larger plants relative to the control. Shoot dry weight was highest at both IBA 500 mg·L-1 and NAA 500 mg·L-1, whereas root dry weight was significantly higher across all treatments compared to the control. Total dry weight followed patterns similar to the shoot dry weight. The moisture content showed no significant differences among the treatments. The Dickson quality index (DQI) was higher in all treatments except for the control, indicating improved plant quality with auxinic rooting promoters. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) were highest at IBA 500 mg·L-1 and NAA 500 and 750 mg·L-1, indicating superior physiological responses in these treatments. The modified chlorophyll absorption ratio index (MCARI) was highest in the control treatment, while the photosynthetic performance index (PIABS) was highest in the NAA 500 mg·L-1 treatment, suggesting a lower chlorophyll content in the control and enhanced photosynthetic apparatus integrity due to the NAA 500 mg·L-1 treatment, respectively. In conclusion, NAA 500 mg·L-1 was the most effective concentration for ‘Gloire de Marengo’ stem-cutting propagation, followed by IBA 500 mg·L-1. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing auxinic rooting promoter concentrations, offering crucial guidance for improving propagation efficiency and morphophysiological characteristics of this cultivar.

Introduction Cultivation is a book that systematically organizes knowledge on crop production technology, comprehensively summarizing the fundamental principles of crop production. Generally, the study of crop cultivation consists of two central pillars: first, the genetic traits of crops, including breeding and varietal characteristics, and second, the environmental conditions of cultivation, which are intrinsic to agriculture. These environmental conditions include soil, water, and climate. While the genetic attributes pertain directly to the crop itself, soil and climatic conditions serve as crucial natural environments that nurture these crops. Climate encompasses many environmental factors such as light, temperature, and moisture. The techniques of cultivation involve researching, applying, and managing these elements efficiently. Agricultural technology has traditionally been grounded in extensive experiential knowledge of agricultural production. Some may perceive it as straightforward, yet in reality, it demands an understanding and application of diverse elements, including plants, animals, microorganisms, agricultural machinery, and even distribution and marketing. Above all, integrating these components while maintaining a well-balanced management of the entire process makes agriculture a continuous and complex endeavor. In recent years, the scope of agriculture has expanded to include advanced technologies such as computer-controlled systems, drones, robotics, and artificial intelligence, while also requiring adaptation to increasing natural disasters and the implementation of environmentally friendly techniques. In this era of limitless competition, agriculture must enhance efficiency, increase productivity, and simultaneously achieve high quality. Consequently, many students initially underestimate this subject, only to later find themselves struggling with its complexities. Unlike industrial fields, where success can be achieved by efficiently managing limited and relatively short processes, agriculture progresses at a slower pace, faces lower productivity, and, as an interdisciplinary field that deals with living organisms, demands a profound understanding of complex interactions and responses. These fundamental principles of agriculture can also be applied to education and social life. Just as raising a child—often referred to as "parenting as farming"—is not simply about excelling in specific subjects over a short period, it requires overcoming numerous challenges and competitions. Similarly, social life mirrors aspects of agriculture, resembling a lifelong marathon rather than a short sprint. However, agriculture leaves almost nothing to waste; every element has intrinsic value, and synthesizing these elements to produce meaningful outcomes defines successful farming, education, and social life. The results of agriculture can be directly applied to everyday life, making them easily understandable and highly practical. Because agriculture provides tangible and meaningful lessons, those engaged in it tend to develop stronger character and wisdom, ultimately increasing their chances of leading a successful and fulfilling life. Most importantly, agriculture-related fields are among the most fundamental and crucial disciplines, as they are directly linked to health and happiness. At the core of these fields lies this very subject—Introduction Cultivation—which fosters a macroscopic and principle-based understanding of agriculture, thereby shaping one’s philosophical outlook on life. The recognition of Introduction Cultivation as an essential subject in various national agricultural civil service exams, certification tests, and industry-related evaluations in South Korea reflects its academic and practical significance. While it may present challenges due to its vast and complex scope, the author firmly believes that one cannot discuss agriculture—or even life itself—without a solid understanding of crop cultivation. With continued study, the subject becomes increasingly comprehensible and ultimately rewarding. Furthermore, the sense of duty in contributing to the advancement of Korean agriculture will serve as additional motivation. The author pledges to make timely revisions and improvements to address any shortcomings and sincerely seeks the readers' guidance and constructive feedback. It is the author’s earnest hope that readers will discover their path through this book, achieve success, and ultimately lead a life dedicated to service.

In the present study, we aimed to establish an efficient cultivation method for Tillandsia ionantha, which is commonly known as an air plant and is distributed as an ornamental succulent. This species was cultivated using non-substrate cultivation methods in a controlled environment, and the influence of various light spectra on its growth was investigated. The light-emitting diode (LED) light sources used included red (630 nm), green (520 nm), blue (450 nm), purple phyto-LED (450 nm, 650 nm, and far-red wavelengths), warm white (3000 K), natural white (4100 K), and cool white (6500 K) lights. The results showed that shoot length, root length, and leaf width significantly increased under monochromatic blue LED light, highlighting its effectiveness in promoting plant size. In contrast, root and leaf numbers were most effectively enhanced under cool white LED light, highlighting the suitability of broad-spectrum light for balanced root and leaf development. Biomass analysis revealed a growth imbalance between the shoot and root parts, with root biomass being the highest under warm white and cool white LED lights. Red LED light increased relative water content in shoots, indicating its potential for enhancing water retention. Additionally, the external quality of T. ionantha, evaluated using the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage Lab (CIELAB) color space values, revealed significant changes in leaf coloration under various light spectra. The highest L * value was observed under the natural white LED treatment, whereas the a * and b * parameters varied significantly depending on the light spectra. These findings underscore the importance of light spectrum selection in optimizing T. ionantha various parameters and suggest that a combination of monochromatic and broad-spectrum light can be used complementarily for balanced growth and external quality. This study provides foundational data for the stable cultivation of epiphytic plant species in a controlled environment facility, supporting their broader application in the ornamental plant industry and indoor horticultural projects.

Betula platyphylla var. japonica, a member of the Betulaceae family, is a temperate landscape tree species with significant industrial value. This study investigated the effects of short-term dry-cold treatment periods that ranged from 0 to 60 days on the germination success of B. platyphylla var. japonica seeds and their post-germination growth and physiological characteristics. The short-term dry-cold treatment periods were 0 (control), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. The results revealed that seeds subjected to a 30-day dry-cold treatment period exhibited the highest germination percentage, seedling survival rate, and germination energy, whereas relatively longer dry-cold treatment periods significantly decreased these parameters. Furthermore, the control without any dry-cold treatment exhibited a more pronounced decrease in these parameters. In contrast, the 15-day dry-cold treatment period was observed to be most beneficial in regard to enhancing the size and biomass of B. platyphylla var. japonica seedlings. Analysis of the remote sensing vegetation indices and chlorophyll fluorescence responses used to assess the physiological characteristics of seedlings indicated that a dry-cold treatment period of 0-15 days was the most appropriate. Therefore, when the primary objective is to maximize germination success and seedling survival rates, a 30-day dry-cold treatment period is optimal. Conversely, if the goal is to enhance rapid seedling growth and improve physiological characteristics, a 15-day short-term dry-cold treatment period is the most suitable. These findings offer valuable guidance for selecting appropriate short-term dry-cold treatment periods to maximize germination success, post-germination growth, and physiological performance of B. platyphylla var. japonica seeds.

Historically, it has been said that "Agriculture is the foundation of the nation" (農者天下之大本), signifying that the stability and sustenance of a nation rely heavily on agriculture and its farmers. In ancient times, when a good harvest led to population growth and a poor harvest caused widespread unrest, it was naturally accepted that agriculture was the cornerstone of the nation. Among all forms of agriculture, the cultivation of staple crops, particularly those grown in rice paddies and dry fields, was essential for ensuring the prosperity and stability of the people, which in turn led to effective governance. This saying emphasizes not only the importance of agriculture but also the critical dependence on food crops. Recent events, such as the rise in wheat prices due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the instability of rice prices following the COVID-19 pandemic, indicate that concerns about food security and potential crises will persist. In South Korea, where approximately 63% of the 10 million hectares of land is forested and urbanization has reduced arable land to 16%, the loss of agricultural land is a pressing issue as once lost, it is difficult to restore. Given the increasing need for forage crops, the significance of dry field farming (전작) cannot be overstated. The foundation is paramount; food must take precedence over all else. Additionally, the necessity of producing high-quality agricultural products for health is self-evident. It is imperative not to overlook the importance of agronomy, the science of producing clean, safe, and stable food, and the gratitude and consideration owed to farmers who produce these essential crops. The study of food crops can be broadly divided into two categories: Food Crop Science I, which focuses on rice, and Food Crop Science II, which covers the cultivation, processing, and distribution of barley, wheat, soybeans, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. The former is referred to as paddy field farming (水稻作), while the latter is known as dry field farming (田作). This classification reflects the climatic conditions in Korea, where agricultural practices are divided between irrigated fields and non-irrigated fields. Korea is also the place of origin for barley and soybeans, both of which are crucial for balanced nutrition when consumed with rice. Although soybean rice has a somewhat negative image, it is an excellent balance of carbohydrates and proteins. If Koreans embrace mixed grain and soybean rice, it is anticipated that the nation will soon achieve the status of the world’s longest-living population. For true stability and healthy happiness to be realized, the industrial and service sectors must rest upon the foundation of agriculture. As of 2020, the proportion of agricultural income in South Korea accounted for only 2.5% of the total national income. The total agricultural income stood at 50 trillion won, while the importation of agricultural products amounted to 40 trillion won, threatening the nation’s self-sufficiency. Among this, the income from food crops was a mere 10 trillion won, with rice accounting for 8 trillion won and dry field crops only 2 trillion won. The proportion of production among major staple crops is overwhelmingly dominated by rice, which accounts for 88% of the total, followed by soybeans at 4%, and corn at 2%. Most other grains constitute less than 1% of the total production. Consequently, the import volume of staple grains, in the order of wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice, has reached 5.3 million tons, with an expenditure exceeding 20 billion KRW, making South Korea one of the world’s top five grain importers. The self-sufficiency rate for food, including forage crops, remains a mere 23%. There is an urgent need for diversification and mechanization of crops. While the mechanization rate for rice, a paddy crop, stands at 98%, the rate for dry field crops lags behind at 64%. Although it is impossible to return to a time when rice was considered sacred and food was an absolute necessity, neglecting the current food scarcity situation could eventually lead to a severe crisis. Even setting aside arguments concerning food security, it is essential for the nation and all those involved in agriculture to work together to achieve at least minimal self-sufficiency and sustainability. Advanced nations, including the United States, Europe, and Japan, are distinguished by their advanced agricultural sectors. However, several studies have pointed out that South Korea currently has one of the lowest levels of national support for agriculture and one of the highest levels of negative public perception of the industry. If asked what is most important and what we live for, I would unequivocally assert that producing and consuming good food is essential for living a healthy and happy life. This principle applies even to global leaders in industries such as Samsung Electronics in semiconductors and Hyundai Motor Company in automobiles. If one is hungry and unhealthy, it is hard to imagine deriving happiness from anything else. Whether we eat to live or live to eat, these questions become mere wordplay in the face of food scarcity. Confidence and industrial development can only be considered once basic sustenance is secured. The key is to eat well, and at the heart of this is the cultivation of staple crops. Although it may seem mundane, I emphasize that the most profound and noble philosophical value lies in the production of food. As the global population continues to grow and instability increases, I ask for your understanding as I share a portion of my agricultural philosophy, which may seem simplistic and rooted in primary industry, in an effort to underscore the importance of agriculture and staple crops. Given the vast scope of this work, my limited knowledge has inevitably led to shortcomings in the content. I intend to revise and supplement it as opportunities arise, and I earnestly request your valuable feedback and insights at any time.