Enhancing pod shatter resistance is essential for improving the mechanical harvesting efficiency of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). This study aimed to evaluate pod shatter resistance in domestic breeding lines and genetic resources, as well as to investigate the relationship between shatter resistance and agronomic traits thereby providing foundational data for the development of shatter-resistant cultivars. Pod shatter resistance was assessed using the Random Impact Test for 105 accessions in 2022–2023 and 159 accessions in 2023–2024, with the Silique Shatter Resistance Index (SSRI) as the evaluation criterion. Most accessions exhibited susceptibility to pod shatter, whereas IT031375 showed high shatter resistance, identifying it as a promising resource for the development of shatter-resistant cultivars. Analysis of the relationship between weather conditions and pod shatter resistance revealed that longer sunlight exposure and lower precipitation during the growing stages contributed to improved pod development and shatter resistance. Furthermore, a correlation analysis between SSRI and agronomic traits demonstrated significant positive correlations with silique length (r=0.368, p<0.001) and weight (r=0.451, p<0.001). Increased silique length and weight are associated with enhanced pod wall development and seed weight, which are critical for improving yield and shatter resistance.

Wheat is a fundamental staple crop worldwide, contributing significantly to global food security due to its versatility and nutritional value. However, gluten proteins, including gliadins and glutenins, have been implicated in various health problems, such as celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergies. These disorders affect a wide variety of people globally, creating demand for wheat varieties that balance high-end-use quality with reduced immunogenic potential. This review examines the molecular and genetic mechanisms that regulate gluten protein synthesis, highlighting recent advances in genomic and mutagenic approaches aimed at modifying gluten proteins to enhance the health and quality traits of wheat. Technologies such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 offer promising avenues for reducing wheat immunogenicity without compromising its functional properties in food production. This study also examines the challenges and prospects of utilizing these genetic tools to develop wheat varieties that achieve the dual objectives of enhanced health outcomes and high product quality.

Flower color is one of the key trait that determines the marketability of chrysanthemums. However, genetic research on chrysanthemum remains limited because of numerous environmental factors and the complexity of the chrysanthemum genome. To gain a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying flower color in chrysanthemum, this study conducted genotyping analysis on 94 F₁ progenies derived from a cross between two wild chrysanthemum parents, ‘CWT2’ and ‘CWT8,’ which exhibit distinct flower colors. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was used for SNP identification, resulting in 79,002 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After stringent filtering, 2,548 SNP markers were selected to construct a GBS-SNP linkage map, which was subsequently used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with flower color. Four QTL were identified, encompassing genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis, carotenoid degradation, and the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. Among the 16 candidate genes analyzed for their potential role in flower color determination, three genes (VDE, CYP707A4, and CYP707A2) were ultimately selected for molecular marker development. The findings of this study provide a valuable foundation for understanding the genetic basis of carotenoid degradation in chrysanthemums. Future in-depth research is expected to facilitate the development of new chrysanthemum varieties for breeding programs through marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop grown worldwide, providing approximately 20% calorie and 25% protein intake. Wheat productivity is significantly affected by high temperatures, particularly during the grain-filling period. Heat stress accelerates leaf senescence, impairs photosynthesis, reduces starch accumulation, and alters protein synthesis, ultimately leading to a decrease in grain yield and quality. To mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress, wheat utilizes adaptation mechanisms, including the expression of heat shock proteins, activation of antioxidant defense systems, osmotic regulation, and transcription factor-mediated gene regulation. Stay-green traits also play a role in maintaining photosynthetic efficiency at high temperatures. Breeding strategies such as traditional breeding, marker-assisted selection , genomic selection , and genome editing are being explored to improve heat tolerance. Recent advances in the CRISPR-Cas9 technology enable precise gene editing, thereby enhancing the resilience of wheat to heat stress. Additionally, quantitative trait locus mapping and genome-wide association studies facilitated the identification of genetic regions associated with heat tolerance, thereby accelerating the development of climate-resilient wheat varieties. Future research should focus on integrating genetic and molecular approaches with sustainable agronomic practices and crop modeling strategies to optimize wheat productivity under rising temperatures. The integration of advanced breeding techniques and improved crop management can facilitate the development of wheat varieties that are more resilient to climate change.

‘Boramchan’ is a high-yielding, mid-late maturing temperate japonica rice cultivar developed in Korea, while ‘Pecos’ is an early-maturing tropical japonica cultivar from the United States with medium-grain shape characteristics. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted on yield- and grain-related traits using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between ‘Boramchan’ and ‘Pecos’ in order to broaden the genetic diversity of these traits in Korean japonica rice varieties. QTLs for heading date were identified on chromosomes 3 and 6, with Hd6 and Hd1 proposed as candidate genes for this trait. The major heading date gene Hd1 exhibited pleiotropic effects, influencing not only the heading date (HD) but also multiple yield components, including culm length, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle (NS), 1,000-grain weight (TGW), ratio of ripened grain (RRG), brown/rough rice ratio, and grain yield per plant. The minor heading date gene Hd6 showed a masking effect on HD and NS, depending on the allele type of Hd1. Allelic combinations of Hd1 and Hd6 allowed HD regulation for approximately 30 days. As more functional alleles associated with delayed heading accumulated, the values of yield-related traits gradually increased. Three QTLs for grain-related traits–qGL2, GW5, and qGS10–were identified on chromosomes 2, 5, and 10, respectively. GW5 was confirmed as a major gene with significant effects on phenotypic variation, influencing all grain-related traits, including grain length (GL), width (GW), thickness (GT), length to width ratio, and TGW. qGL2 was associated with GL and colocalized with qNS2, a QTL related to NS. qGS10 was identified as a QTL that affected GW, GT, and TGW. Allelic combinations of qGL2, GW5, and qGS10 influenced not only grain-related traits but also variation in yield-related traits. Combinations carrying the gw5^- allele from ‘Boramchan’ generally exhibited favorable characteristics in terms of yield potential. Furthermore, the introduction of qGL2^P and qGS10^P alleles from ‘Pecos’ contributed to the diversification of grain shape and showed positive effects on NS, RRG, and yield. Novel allele combinations, such as qGL2^P-gw5^--qGS10^B and qGL2^P-gw5^--qGS10^P are expected to enhance the genetic diversity of yield- and grain-related traits in Korean japonica rice varieties.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important cereal crop valued for its nutritional benefits and adaptability to diverse climates. β-glucan, a soluble dietary fiber found in barley, is recognized for its health benefits, including lowering cholesterol, managing postprandial blood glucose levels, and providing antioxidative properties. However, high β-glucan content can complicate food processing due to increased viscosity and water absorption rates. This study used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to examine genetic variation within barley populations and to identify genetic markers associated with β-glucan content. A Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted to identify candidate genes linked to β-glucan levels. Functional annotation revealed several genes potentially involved in cellulose synthase activity and cell wall biosynthesis, including the MYB-related protein Zm38, C2 domain-containing protein, ATP synthase subunit beta (chloroplastic), ATP-dependent Clp protease proteolytic subunit, soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (cytosolic). These findings provide insights into the genetic architecture of β-glucan content in barley. By leveraging GBS and GWAS, breeders can identify and select genetic markers associated with high β-glucan content, thereby facilitating the development of superior barley varieties with enhanced nutritional and processing qualities.

Salt stress is a major abiotic factor that limits wheat production worldwide. However, this threat is increasing significantly because soil salinity affects approximately 20% of the irrigated agricultural land globally, leading to significant yield losses by impairing plant growth and photosynthetic efficiency. This study aimed to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with salt tolerance in wheat core collections during the heading stage under saline stress conditions. Chlorophyll content, a physiological indicator of salt tolerance at heading, and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were measured in 609 accessions and a Salt Tolerance Index (STI) was subsequently constructed. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using a 35 K SNP chip to identify significant marker-trait associations. Three models (MLM, FarmCPU, and BLINK) were employed for the GWAS, with FarmCPU and BLINK demonstrating superior power over the MLM in controlling false positives. GWAS results revealed four significant SNPs (AX-94929101, AX- 94615611, AX-94510535, and AX-94411611) located on chromosomes 3D, 5D, and 7D. AX-94510535 exhibited significant phenotypic differences based on SNP genotype, suggesting its potential as a marker for STI. Furthermore, the identified candidate genes, TraesCS3D02G218100, TraesCS5D02G059500, and TraesCS5D02G175000, were implicated in biological processes such as DNA replication, cell death, and photosynthesis.

‘Saedeul’ is a saddle-patterned seed-coated soybean cultivar developed from a cross between ‘IT224183’ and ‘Daepung (IT214696)’ in 2010. The F1 and F2 generations were grown for 2 years, and promising lines were selected using the pedigree method from F3 to F5 generations. The preliminary yield trials (PYT) and advanced yield trials (AYT) were conducted during 2016-2017, followed by regional yield trials (RYT) across seven regions during 2018-2020. ‘Saedeul’ is a determinate cultivar, having oval-shaped leaflets, purple flowers, and saddle-patterned seeds. The flowering and maturing date were August 11 and October 28, respectively. Considering its quantitative characteristics in comparison to the ‘Cheongja3ho’ cultivar, ‘Saedeul’ has a smaller seed size (27.9 g/100 seeds) and shorter plant height, but a higher first pod height. ‘Saedeul’ showed greater tolerance to both lodging and pod shattering in the RYT field and indoor tests than ‘Cheongja3ho’. It demonstrated resistance to bacterial pustule in field tests but was susceptible to soybean mosaic virus (G6H strain) in inoculation tests. The mean yield of ‘Saedeul’ in the RYT was 261 kg/10a, exceeding that of ‘Cheongja3ho’. ‘Saedeul’ is expected to replace landraces due to its resistance to lodging and bacterial pustule. (Registration number: 9456)

‘EePi No.1’, a new mid-ripening cultivar of chestnut (Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc.) was developed in 2000 by cross-pollinating two cultivars, viz., ‘Riheiguri’ and ‘Ganne’ at Korea National Institute of Forest Science. Line selection among the seedlings of ‘Riheiguri’ and ‘Ganne’ was carried out in 2007, followed by comprehensive evaluations of fruit morphological traits and tree growth characteristics conducted during 2008-2015. The harvest time of ‘EePi No.1’ was the first week of October. It is characterized by excellent nut quality, suitable for both raw consumption and processing. The average fruit weight was 24.0 g, which is significantly higher than that of the cultivar ‘Daebo’ (20.0 g). Moreover, the soluble solids content was 14.26%, and pellicle removability was 93.5%. This cultivar produces large, firm fruits with high sugar content, making it ideal for consumption. It is also characterized by excellent nut quality, suitable for both raw consumption and processing. Moreover, the easily peelable inner skin makes it ideal for processing and roasting, thereby enhancing its commercial value. These qualities are expected to bolster the diversification of income derived from forest products in the future (Registration No. 337).