Gliadin proteins are a major component of gluten proteins and important determinants of bread-making quality by conferring the viscosity and extensibility of dough, but also present significant health problems for consumers with wheat-related diseases like celiac disease or wheat allergies. In order to solve this problem, we conducted RP-HPLC analysis to profile gliadin fractions for screening the mutants deficient in gliadins from 122 wheat doubled-haploid (DH) lines cultivated by the National Institute of Crop Science. Comparing the RP-HPLC chromatogram of 122 DH lines with those of the respective parents, we found that some peaks of omega-5 gliadin were not present in 28 DH lines. Further analysis using SDS-PAGE and A-PAGE showed that the omega-5 gliadin in the parental varieties had two to three bands, but only one band in the absent 28 DH lines. The relative expression levels of all gliadin groups in the parental and mutant lines were also examined by RP-HPLC. Our study contributes to establishing a method for the rapid screening and identification of mutants missing gliadins as major epitopes of wheat-related disease in many wheat genetic resources and breeding lines as valuable information to other researchers.

Promoters are essential regulatory elements for efficiently expressing a gene of interest in a target tissue of a organism. Therefore, the identification of a suitable promoter is important in plant biotechnology. In this study, four promoters were selected and identified to be constitutively or tissue-specifically expressed in Brassica rapa bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones using the results of transcriptomic analysis of Brassica rapa and open-source database information on Arabidopsis thaliana. The 2 kb region of the 5′ upstream was isolated from the Brassica rapa genomic DNA for each promoter. The four promoters were then fused to β-glucuronidase (gus) and green fluorescent protein (gfp) genes, and the recombinant transgenes were introduced into Arabidopsis. As a result of histochemical GUS staining, GFP fluorescence and RT-PCR, the gus gene was observed to be expressed constitutively in all tissues using all four promoters. A GUS activity assay using fluorescent 4-MUG revealed that the BR11 promoter showed similar activity to the CaMV35S promoter, while the BR4, BR15, and BR16 promoters showed 1.5, 4, and 18-fold higher activities than the CaMV35S promoter, respectively. These results indicate that these four promoters could be used to incorporate useful genes with enhanced function into crops of interest.

Crown rot caused by Phytophthora cactorum is one of several serious, widespread diseases that cause problems in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivation. In this study, we aimed to identify a strawberry resistant to P. cactorum through bioassay. A total of 104 wild and cultivated strawberry accessions, including ‘Sulhyang’ and ‘Akihime’, were inoculated with an isolate of P. cactorum, ‘PC151111’. A zoospore suspension was used with a density of approximately 10⁶ zoospores·mL^-1. Three strawberry seedlings were tested three times independently. The disease index was scored on a scale from 0–4 through symptom observation while the inoculated plants were incubated at 25±3°C under 16 h/8 h (light/dark) conditions for three weeks. The results showed that the mean disease index varied from 0.78–3.78, and the ‘Pechika’ and ‘Kaorino’ cultivars were highly resistant to P. cactorum, with mean disease indexes of 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. These cultivars will be useful resources in breeding strawberries resistant to crown rot.

Molecular markers of doubled-haploid (DH) and long spike Korean wheat cultivar populations were evaluated to improve the yield potential of Korean wheat breeding programs by improving the tiller numbers. In Korean wheat cultivars, the tiller number was affected more by vernalization (Vrn) and photoperiod (Ppd) than by tiller inhibition gene (tin) and fertile tiller inhibition gene (ftin). Also, it was negatively correlated with the yield. In DH lines, the tiller number was significantly affected by neither the tiller inhibition genes nor Vrn and Ppd. Additionally, it was not significantly correlated with the yield. However, the adaptability of both SSR markers, Xgpw2206 and Xgwm247, was higher in the DH lines than in the other populations. In the long spike population, the tiller number differed according to the Ppd-D1 allele, affecting the yield. In this study, genes and molecular markers related to the tiller number, as described in previous studies, might be difficult to use to evaluate the tiller number and yield of the Korean wheat population. Hence, continuous study is necessary to develop molecular markers suitable for improving the tiller number and yield of Korean wheat cultivars.

Drought stress during the seedling stage has a disastrous effect on the growth of maize. The purpose of this study was to assess the developed expression markers that are related to drought stress in maize. For the selection of expressed genes by drought stress, co-expression analysis was carried out using published microarray data of drought stress in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Six consensus modules were based on 4,770 stress responsive genes differentially expressed in drought stress, and the royal blue module was chosen. Thirty genes were selected according to different expression patterns between susceptible and tolerant types. Drought stress treatments were performed on both Ki3 and Ki11. Ki3 and Ki11 are widely known drought-susceptible and -tolerant types, respectively. At first, the 30 selected genes were compared to Ki3 and Ki11 using qRT-PCR. The gene expression values of eight genes (BU050895, BF728598, CK827168, CO524848, AF457983, CF037152, AJ606944, and BG836522) were significantly tolerant types rather than susceptible types in the roots. After applying the eight above-mentioned genes to nine cultivars, a different pattern was detected between susceptible and tolerant types. The results of the present study will show the possibility of developing novel expression markers and the application for various maize varieties.

A new Rehmannia glutinosa cultivar ‘Dagang’ was bred from ‘Jihwang 1’ (check variety) seedlings by the medicinal crop breeding team of the National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science, RDA, in 2010. It has pink flowers, a dark brown seed coat, and a light yellow root cortex. The plant type was intermediate erect, whereas ‘Jihwang 1’ showed some drooping. The leaf shape was narrow oblong, whereas ‘Jihwang 1’ was oblong. The yield of dried root was higher than that of ‘Jihwang 1’. ‘Dagang’ showed stronger resistance to root rot than did ‘Jihwang 1’, rendering it more stable in cultivation. The regional adaptation trials were conducted at three different locations from 2009 to 2010. The average yield of ‘Dagang’ was 20.1 ton/ha, which was 14% higher than that of ‘Jihwang 1’. Also, compared with ‘Jihwang 1’, the yield of ‘Dagang’ was 1%–3% higher than that of the existing cultivars ‘Kokang’ and ‘Togang’. This cultivar could adapt to most of the cultivation areas in Korea, except for mountainous regions (Registration No. 4724).

A new red butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) with transverse broad elliptic, red leaves, ‘Sun Red Butter’, with late bolting and high yield, was developed from a cross between ‘Jajusangchu’ (red leaf color and half crisp) and ‘Dukseomjeokchukmyeon’ (high yield). The crossing and selection for advanced lines was previously carried out using the pedigree method during the period 2001–2009. The advanced lines were evaluated for yield and adaptability at several locations in Korea (Gangwon-do, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju-do) in 2011. The type of matured stage is early and medium butterhead lettuce. The shelf life of ‘Sun Red Butter’ was four weeks longer than that of ‘Germania’ at 4°C. The anthocyanin content of ‘Sun Red Butter’ was lower than that of ‘Germania’ at 11.2 mg/100 g. The BSL (latucin+8-deoxylactucin+lactucopicrin) content of ‘Sun Red Butter’ was higher than that of ‘Germania’ at 32.8 µg/g, DW. The marketable yield of ‘Sun Red Butter’ was higher than that of ‘Germania’ by 67% (at 621.4 g per plant), and ‘Sun Red Butter’ showed a particularly improved yield under high-temperature cultivation in the field. Furthermore, ‘Sun Red Butter’ had better taste characteristics and was crisper and sweeter than ‘Germania’. Therefore, we recommend that the new cultivar ‘Sun Red Butter’ would be suitable for cultivation in spring and fall. Furthermore, this new cultivar could be harvested in a single harvest, as in a head lettuce, and could therefore be managed more efficiently and economically by farmers.

‘Sweet Gold’ is a new promising kiwifruit variety developed for high soluble solid content and firmness at the Research Institute of Climate Change and Agriculture, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Korea, in 2010. This variety was selected from seeds obtained by the cross between Actinidia chinensis ‘First Emperor’ and A. chinensis ‘Okcheon’ in 2000. Seedling and line selections were conducted from 2001 to 2008, and characteristic trials were carried out from 2009 to 2010. Shoots of ‘Sweet Gold’ sprouts were similar to those of ‘Jecy Gold’ with green leaves. The fruit shape was oblong and fruit skin color was yellow brown without hair. The average fruit weight was 88.7 ±12.37 g. The fruit had a central soft core, yellow or yellow green pericarp, and fragile and juicy flesh. The soluble solid content was higher than that of ‘Jecy Gold’ at 16.3° Brix when ripe and the firmness was higher, at 21.4N, than that of ‘Jecy Gold’. The harvesting time was about 7 days earlier than that of ‘Jecy Gold’. ‘Sweet Gold’ was officially registered as a new cultivar in 2014 in accordance with the Plant Variety Protection Act by the Commissioner of the KSVS (Grant Number 5151).

Haepum’ is a soybean cultivar for soy sprouts. ‘Bosug’ and ‘Suwon 214’ were crossed in 2001, and promised lines were selected from F₃ to F₅ using the pedigree method (Pedigree: HS1273-2B-4-1-2-3-3). Preliminary yield (PYT) and advanced yield (AYT) trials were conducted from 2008 to 2009, and regional yield trials (RYT) in four regions (Suwon, Naju, Miryang, Jeju) were conducted from 2010 to 2012. In RYT, ‘Haepum’ had higher plant height and first pod height than other cultivars, which are desirable characteristics for mechanized harvest. Morphological characteristics of ‘Haepum’ are as follows: determinate, white flowers, grey pubescence, yellow pods, yellow spherical small seeds (10.4 g/100 seeds), and light brown hilum. The flowering and maturity dates were July 29 and October 6, respectively. Plant height was 61 cm, 6 cm longer than that of ‘Pungsannamulkong’ (standard cultivar). Moreover, the first pod height of ‘Haepum’ was 15 cm, 6 cm longer than that of ‘Pungsannamulkong’. The lodging tolerance was also stronger (1) than that of ‘Pungsannamulkong’ (6). The germination rate, total length, hypocotyl length, thickness, and sprout yield of ‘Haepum’ soybean sprouts were 99%, 20.6 cm, 9.7 cm, 2.1 mm, and 453%, respectively. The yield in adaptable regions was 301 kg/10 a, which was 10% higher than that of ‘Pungsannamulkong’. ‘Haepum’ could be broadly used for soybean sprout culture and an adequate cultivar for conversion to jeju and mechanized harvesting.

A sesame variety “Goenbaek” (Sesamum indicum L.) with phytophthora disease resistance and high yield was developed in 2013. It was obtained via a cross between “Sungbun (IT156459)” and “SIG950006-4-1-1” in 2001. “Goenbaek” has few branches and triple capsules per node. Notably, “Goenbaek” exhibited resistance to phytophthora blight disease and lodging in the field. Furthermore, the yield of “Goenbaek” was about 1.16 ton per hectare, which was 12% higher than that of “Yangbaek”. “Goenbaek” also showed a high oil content of 50.2%

Cheongpum’, a japonica rice variety, was developed from a cross between Yeongdeog45 and ‘Samkwang’ by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2015. The heading date of ‘Cheongpum’ was August 10 in the middle plain area, which was two days later than that of ‘Hwaseong’. ‘Cheongpum’ had a culm length of 79 cm, which was 5 cm shorter than that of ‘Hwaseong’, and 116 spikelets per panicle. The viviparous germination rate of ‘Cheongpum’ was 27.9%. It showed resistance to blast, bacterial blight (K1, K2, K3 race), and stripe virus, but susceptibility to the K3a race of bacterial blight, dwarf, and black streak dwarf viruses, and plant hoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibited a translucent and medium short grain shape. The cooked rice grains of ‘Cheongpum’ had an excellent palatability index (0.41) and lower amylose content (18.8%) than that of ‘Hwaseong’. The grain milling characteristics were better than those of ‘Hwaseong’, especially the head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (94.1%). ‘Cheongpum’ showed 5.36 MT/ha of milled rice productivity at 11 sites under ordinary cultivation (Registration No. 6799).

Consumers currently prefer healthy food with antioxidant or anti-diabetic activities. This study was conducted to develop a waxy corn with high carotenoid content. A yellow waxy corn single cross hybrid ‘Goldchal’ was developed by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2015. The seed parent inbred HW16 was crossed with the pollen parent inbred HW17 in 2010. The number and weight of fresh ears per 10 a for ‘Goldchal’ were 6,385 and 1,339 kg, respectively, comparable to those of ‘Ilmichal’ in regional yield trials from 2013 to 2015. The hybrid contained 15.8 mg/kg carotenoids, which were 15.0 mg/kg higher than that of ‘Ilmichal’. The lodging tolerance of ‘Goldchal’ was superior to that of ‘Ilmichal’ and resistance to disease and insects was similar to those of ‘Ilmichal’. The silking date of the seed parent HW16 was in the pollen dispersal period of the pollen parent HW17, and F₁ seed yield was 186 kg/10a. ‘Goldchal’ could be cultivated throughout Korea. The plant variety protection right of ‘Goldchal’ was registered in June 2017 (Grant Number 6722).

Consumer interest in nutrition and health has increased, for other food and industrial applications, including for barley. ‘Huknuri’ is a new naked non-waxy barley cultivar with black lemma. It was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, in 2011. The initial cross was carried out in 2002, and an elite line (HB16225-B-B-9) was selected in 2006. Since then, through preliminary yield and advanced yield trials, it was designated as ‘Iksan 100’. It showed good agronomic performance in the regional yield trials from 2009 to 2011 and was released as ‘Huknuri’, possessing high anthocyanin content and black lemma with a non-waxy endosperm. The average heading and maturing dates of ‘Huknuri’ were April 23 and May 29 in paddy fields, which were one day earlier and the same as those of the check cultivar ‘Saessalbori’, respectively. It had a culm and spike length of 87 and 5.0 cm, respectively. It showed 601 spikes per m², 61 grains per spike, 29.0 g of 1,000-grain weight, and 780 g of test weight. ‘Huknuri’ showed better resistance to Barley yellow mosaic virus and higher water absorption and expansion rates than those of the check cultivar. Its average pearled grain yield in the regional yield trial was 3.44 MT/ha in upland, and 3.56 MT/ha in paddy fields, which were 5% lower and 1% higher than those of the check cultivar, respectively. The anthocyanin content was 180 µg/g, which was higher than that of the check cultivar.

Joil’ is a multiple disease resistant early maturing rice cultivar with high grain quality. ‘Joil’ was derived from a single cross between ‘Unbong37’ (cultivar name ‘Unmi’) and ‘HR23156-26-2-3-5’. ‘Unmi’ is an early maturing rice cultivar with high grain quality and resistance to rice blast and stripe virus. ‘HR23156-26-2-3-5’ is an early maturing elite rice line with lodging resistance and cold tolerance. ‘Joil’ was selected through the pedigree method, yield trials, and local adaptability tests. ‘Joil’ was an early maturing rice. The heading date of ‘Joil’ was July 16 in early transplanting cultivation, which was 2 days later than that of ‘Jopyeong’. ‘Joil’ was a lodging resistance rice with a short culm and showed better tolerance to viviparous germination than that of ‘Jopyeong’. ‘Joil’ was a multiple disease resistant rice with resistance against rice blast, bacterial blight, and stripe virus. ‘Joil’ showed higher yield in both early and late-transplanting cultivations than those of the standard rice cultivars ‘Jopyeong’ and ‘Geumo’. ‘Joil’ had enhanced grain quality under high temperature ripening conditions in early transplanting cultivation. The cooked rice had good grain appearance and taste attributes, and this cultivar had a higher head rice ratio than that of ‘Jopyeong’. ‘Joil’, a multiple disease resistant early maturing rice cultivar with high grain quality, would be suitable for early transplanting cultivation in the southern plain area (Registration No. 6792).

Cheongja4’ is a black soybean cultivar developed via a cross between ‘Milyang148’ and ‘Daemang’ in 2005. F₁ and F₂ populations were grown for 2 years, and promising lines were selected using the pedigree method from F₃ to F₅. The preliminary yield trial (PYT) and advanced yield trials (AYT) were conducted from 2011 to 2012, and regional yield trial (RYT) in 7 regions was conducted from 2013 to 2015. ‘Cheongja4’ is determinate and has purple flowers, a green cotyledon, and black spherical seeds. Flowering date and maturing date were Aug. 5 and Oct. 19, respectively. With respect to its quantitative characteristics, ‘Cheongja4’ has more pods (50) and smaller seed size (30.1g/100-seed weight) than ‘Cheongja3’ (38 and 35.2g/100-seed weight). ‘Cheongja4’ was revealed to be more tolerant to pod shattering than ‘Cheongja3’ in RYT field and indoor test. ‘Cheongja4’ had high levels of resistance to bacterial pustule and soybean mosaic virus in field and inoculation test. Although its seed quality-related characteristics were similar to those of ‘Cheongja3’, it contained more anthocyanin in the seed coat; this is the main functional component of black soybean. The mean yield of ‘Cheongja4’ in RYT was 314kg/10a, 123% of the yield of ‘Cheongja3’. ‘Cheongja4’ is expected to be widely used for variable functional purposes, such as cooking with rice and the production of processed food.

‘Geumsilchal’ is a Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) variety developed and registered by the Department of Southern Area Crop Science, NICS, RDA, in 2014. This variety was developed through pure line selection from K131247. ‘Geumsilchal’ was an erect type medium-maturing variety. Its growing period was 104 days when it was seeded on May 15, and 94 days when it was seeded on July 15 in Milyang, Korea. The culm length of ‘Geumsilchal’ was about 123 cm, which was 13 cm longer than that of the standard variety ‘Hwanggeumgijang’. ‘Geumsilchal’ was tolerant to lodging in the field because of its wide column width and erect plant type. The panicle type was droopy and its length was about 23 cm. Seed grain and dehusked grains were yellow, and the endosperm characteristic was glutinous. The yield potential of ‘Geumsilchal’ was about 2.41 ton ha^-1 in regional yield trials from 2013 to 2014 and was 27% higher than that of the standard variety ‘Hwanggeumgijang’ (Variety registration No. 6247).

We developed high-quality Korean pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties to compete with imported chili peppers from China. The ‘OH95’ line, which was introduced from Hungary in 1997, was self-pollinated, and the resulting ‘62067L2’ was selected as a pigment-rich maternal line in 2003. However, RSS and LV2319, both developed in 1993, were cross-bred, after which the paternal line ‘62027R3’ was developed by consecutive selections and generation advancement. After the cross combinations were performed, their horticultural characteristics were evaluated for two years, and subsequently, regional adaptation trials were conducted for at three different sites over three years. Of these, a new pepper variety, ‘Jeockyoung’ exhibited an average ASTA value of 175, representing pigment content, which was approximately 43% higher than that of a commercial cultivar ‘Manitta’. In addition, the capsaicinoid content of ‘Jeockyoung’ was 114.4±11.6 mg/100 g, which was slightly higher than that (86.3±2.8 mg/100 g) of the control cultivar. Moreover, regional adaptation trials revealed that the new variety showed regional differences in annual yield; however, the yield was approximately 18% higher than that of the commercial cultivar. Fruit weight, length, and diameter of the new variety were approximately 21.8 g, 14.3 cm, and 2.2 cm, respectively. The flowering period was approximately 101 days after sowing, which was similar to that of the control cultivar. In addition, leaf length and plant height were also not different from those of the control cultivar.

The soybean cultivar ‘Gangpoong’ was developed for soy-paste and tofu. Suwon 223 and SS 00419 were crossed in 1999 and their progenies were selected from F₃ to F₅ using the pedigree method. Preliminary yield (PYT) and advanced yield (AYT) trials were conducted from 2008 to 2010, and regional yield trials (RYT) were conducted at three locations from 2011 to 2013. In RYT, ‘Gangpoong’ was stable in variable environments. ‘Gangpoong’ was determinate, with white flowers, yellow elongated spherical seeds, and a light brown hilum. The flowering and maturity dates were July 27 and October 8, respectively. The plant height was 67 cm shorter than that of ‘Daewonkong’ (81 cm, standard cultivar). ‘Gangpoong’ had fewer node numbers (16) than that of ‘Daewonkong (18) and had a heaver seed weight (30.1 g/100-seed weight) than that of ‘Daewonkong (26.0 g/100-seed weight)’. ‘Gangpoong’ showed lodging tolerance. The tofu yield of ‘Gangpoong’ was 213%, and the physical characteristics of tofu were similar to those of ‘Daewonkong (208%, standard cultivar)’. The soybean malt scent and fermented soybean yield of ‘Gangpoong’ were 2 and 105%, respectively. The yield in adaptable regions was 3.4 MT/ha, which was 14% higher than that of ‘Daewonkong’. Therefore, ‘Gangpoong’ could be cultivated and used widely for soy-paste and tofu in the near future (Registration number: 5932).

A new small red bean cultivar, ‘Seona’, was artificially crossed between ‘SA9201-2B-18-1-4-1-4’ and SA9411-2B-1-1-2 in 1999, with fixed excellent agronomic characters using the pedigree breeding method, and selected for the further trials a ‘Miryang 18’. It was prominent and had desirable characteristics such as high grain quality, lodging resistance, and high antioxidant activity in the regional adaptation yield trials (RYT) for three years from 2012 to 2014 and was released for public consumption as ‘SA9914-2B-9-2-3-3-1’ in 2014. ‘Seona’ has a semi-determinate growth habit, yellow flowers, green embryonic axis, dark red seed coat, white hilum, and small spherical seeds (15.6 g per 100 seeds). The average yield of ‘Seona’ was 2.04 MT/ha in the regional yield trials (RYT) carried out for three years from 2012 to 2014, which was a slightly higher than that (1.97 MT/ha) of the control variety, ‘Chungju’ (Registration No. 6051).

A cowpea cultivar ‘Okdang’ (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) was developed by the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services (JARES) in 2013 using the breeding method of pure line isolation applied to the foundation stock of IT45384. ‘Okdang’ has an erect plant type with an intermediate plant habit, green hypocotyls, heart leaflet, orange yellow seed surface of faint luster, and brown and straight pods when matured. Its first flowering and maturing dates were approximately seven and ten days earlier than that of the control cultivar ‘Seoweon’. The stem length of ‘Okdang’ was 42 cm, which was 57 cm shorter than that of the control cultivar. Its 100-seed weight was 16.6 g, which was heavier than that of the control cultivar by 5.9 g. The weight ratio of the seed coat for the entire seed was 12%, which was 1.4%p lower than that of the control cultivar. Its field resistance to leaf and systemic diseases was as strong, or slightly weaker than that of the control cultivar. In addition, ‘Okdang’ had a high lodging resistance. The average yield of ‘Okdang’ was 1.85 ton/ha, which was 40% higher than that of the control cultivar ‘Seoweon’ (Cultivar registration number: 5879).

‘Matdream’ was derived from a cross between ‘Yeongdeok34(Pungmi)’ and ‘Ilpumbyeo’ in 2001. This variety had a heading date of August 8 in Gyeonggido. It had a semi-elect plant type and resistance to lodging with strong culm. Its culm length was 78 cm. This variety had 12 tillers per hill and 122 spikelets per panicle. It was a medium grain variety, and the 1,000 grain weight of brown rice was 22.2 g. Its cold tolerance was stronger than that of ‘Hwaseongbyeo’. This variety had wind tolerance. It was moderately resistant to rice blast diseases and had stripe virus resistance, but was susceptible to bacterial leaf blight, other virus diseases, and insect pests. Its appearance of milled rice was clear and its milled rice had lower amylose and protein contents than that of ‘Hwaseongbyeo’. Its palatability of cooked rice was better than that of ‘Chucheongbyeo’, which was harvested in Suwon. Its head-rice percentage after milling was 74.4%, which was higher than that of ‘Hwaseongbyeo’. The yield of milled rice was 5.17 MT/ha under the ordinary culture of the local adaptability test in four areas of Gyeonggido for three years. Under early transplanting cultivation, its yield of milled rice in 2011 was 5.69 MT/ha in the central plain area, Suwon. ‘Matdream’ was highly adaptable to the Gyeonggido area, especially to the northern region of Han River (품종보호번호: 제5087호).

‘Yeongwoo’, a mid-late flowering, high dry matter yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar with high feed value and multiple disease-insect resistance, was developed for whole crop silage (WCS) use. It was derived from a cross between a high biomass and brown planthopper (Bph) resistant ‘SR25848-C99-1-2-1’ and high yielding Tong-il type, ‘Yongmun’ which had diseases resistance. This cultivar had about 117 days growth period from seeding to heading, 99 cm culm length, 26 cm panicle length, 11 panicles per hill, 125 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000-grain weight of 23.6 g as brown rice in the central plain region, Suwon. This wide and long leafy WCS rice variety was weak to cold stresses, similarly to ‘Nokyang’ but was resistant to lodging in the field, strong to viviparous germination, and good under low temperature germination. In addition, ‘Yeongwoo’ was resistant to leaf and neck blast, bacterial blight (race K1, K2, K3, K3a), rice stripe virus, Bph, and small Bph. Its average dry matter yield for three years reached 20.0 MT/ha, 32% higher than that of ‘Nokyang’. This cultivar had 5.3% crude protein and 71.7% total digestible nutrients, which was slightly lower than that of ‘Nokyang’. In the Korean peninsula, ‘Yeongwoo’ grew well in the central and southern plain and was could be harvested between 15 to 30 days after heading to improve the feeding value and digestion rate of livestock (Grant No. 6800).

The persimmon cultivar Gamnuri (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is a new pollination-constant astringent (PCA) type developed by the Sweet Persimmon Research Institute of Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services. This cultivar was selected from the seedlings of the cross between the Sunami and Johongsi cultivars in 1997. After being selected as a prominent seedling line in 2006, its tree growth and fruit characteristics were investigated from 2016 to 2017. The tree grew vigorously during the young stage and showed a spreading shape as it aged. Only female flowers bloomed. The flowering and harvest dates were May 20 and October 16, respectively, which was similar to that of the Sangju-Dungsi control cultivar. The fruits of Gamnuri were characterized by a red-orange skin color with a round, flat shape. The average fruit size was 370 g, which was 1.7 times larger than that of the control. Ninety-three percent of the fruit was marketable with a rare occurrence of calyx-end cracking, which was similar to that of the Sangju-Dungsi cultivar. The soluble solids and flesh firmness were 16.7°Bx and 15.8N, respectively, which was lower than that of the control. Notably, matured fruits maintained their quality for an extended period of time on the tree. When the fruits from the Gamnuri cultivar were processed into sliced-dried fruits, the product had a great taste with good color.

The Jinsang 2 cultivar is a new late-maturing, low amylose rice variety with a medium to short culm created by the Seedpia Inc. breeding company in 2012. This variety was derived from a cross between Junam, a high-yield and lodging tolerant source, and DM3-8-72-9, which was derived from a cross between Donjinchal and Milkyqueen, with a low amylose content and superior agronomic traits. A general single seed descent method was applied to develop Jinsang 2 in the F3-F4 generations. During the F5-F8 generations, the breeding lines were selected through a pedigree breeding method. A promising line, JS6-B-52-8-3-5-1-B-B-B, was selected and named HJ-6 in 2011. This variety headed on the 25^th of August, which was 14 days later than Hwayoung. The culm and panicle length of the variety was 71.6 cm and 19.9 cm, respectively. The milled rice from the variety had a dull and medium- to short-grain, and the 1,000-grain weight was around 20.0 g. It had a low amylose content of 12.2% and a low protein content of 6.8%. The yield performance of Jinsang 2 milled rice was about 5.36 MT/ha from the ordinary culture replicated yield trial test.