Grain yield, agronomic traits, and correlation between genetic distance of 36 F₁ hybrids produced by half-diallel crosses using nine maize inbred lines were analyzed. In the analyses of F₁ hybrids and their mid-parent heterosis (MPH) for agronomic traits, grain yield showed highest MPH value of 156%. One-hundred kernel weight showed the lowest value of 7%. In addition, when genetic distance based on agronomic traits was estimated, parental inbred lines did not agree with their own pedigree. Therefore it had the limitation to estimate genetic distance using agronomic traits. In this study, 92 SSR markers were used to calculate genetic distance at DNA level. However we did not confirm their own pedigree of nine parental inbred lines. There was no correlation between grain yield and SSR markers. Therefore molecular marker selection was conducted in relation with grain yield by the step-by-step method using 92 SSR markers. The selected nine SSR markers showed a significant positive correlation (r²=0.703**) between grain yield and SSR markers. The correlations between the selected SSR markers and agronomic traits of ear length, ear width, plant height, and ear height were particularly showed positively correlated. The nine SSR markers selected in this study would help predicting heterosis and planning crosses for hybrids in maize breeding programs.

Potato glycoalkaloids (PGA) are potentially toxic to human at high levels and current safety regulations have recommended that PGA content in tubers should not exceed 20 mg/100g·FW. The purpose of this study was to evaluate α -chaconine, α-solanine and total PGA content in tuber peel and flesh of 24 potato cultivars including ‘Haryeoung’, ‘Goun’, ‘Hongyoung’ and ‘Jayoung’. The total PGA ranged from 3.1 to 10.1 mg/100g·FW and 41-85% of total PGA was accumulated in tuber peel in all cultivars. Potato cultivars with lower level of PGA were ‘Jasim’ (3.1 mg/100g·FW) and ‘Goun’ (3.4 mg/100g·FW), whereas ‘Haryoung’ exhibited the highest level of PGA, 10.1 mg/100g·FW. Especially ‘Jasim’ and ‘Goun’ with the lower level of PGA can be consumed along with the peel on tubers. Also, these results provide the composition and levels of PGA in various potato cultivars for food safety and breeding of new cultivars with low levels of PGA for potato breeders and farmers.

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflourm Kitamura) is a member of the Asteraceae and one of the important horticultural crops. The objective of this study was to construct a DNA profile database for identification of chrysanthemum varieties using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In order to select SSR markers for the variety identification, we screened 587 SSR primers using 20 varieties. Among them, 27 SSR markers showed polymorphism. We finally selected 14 SSR markers showing peak clearance, high polymorphism and reproducibility in 20 varieties. In conclusion, DNA profile database for 147 chrysanthemum varieties were constructed by 14 SSR markers. A total of 79 SSR alleles were detected and three to ten alleles were detected with an average of 5.6 alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content value ranged 0.287 ~ 0.785 with an average of 0.598. Genetic relationship revealed that genetic distance of 147 varieties ranged from 0.44 to 1.00. The 143 varieties among 147 varieties were distinguished by 14 SSR markers but the 2 varieties developed by mutation breeding and natural variation were not distinguished from original varieties. These constructed SSR profile database will be useful for the selection of similar varieties for candidate variety and for solving problem relating to seed dispute and infringement of plant breeder’s right.

This study was carried out to establish the optimal conditions for callus induction and plant regeneration using immature inflorescence of M. sacchariflorus cv. ‘Wooram’, a bioenergy crop selected in Korea. Callus induction rate was the highest (93.3%) in MS medium containing 3 mg L^-1 2,4-D, and 86.7% in MS medium containing 3 mg L^-1 2,4-D combined with 0.1 mg L^-1 BA. Plant regeneration rate was high when the calli derived from the medium containing BA was used, as compared with those derived from the BA-minus medium. The results showed that the medium conditions containing 5 mg L^-1 BA combined with 0.1 mg L^-1 NAA was the most effective in plant regeneration of which the rate reached 86.7%. The regenerated shoots were separated from the calli and roots over 3 cm were developed from the shoots after 4 week culture on basal MS medium without supplementation. The plantlets were then transferred to soil and cultured in greenhouse. After 5 weeks, the plants with the height of at least 20 cm were successfully acclimatized.

A doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from the cross between high-yielding japonica rice cultivars ‘Deuraechan’ and ‘Boramchan’ was developed to increase diversity of panicle and yield-related traits and select high-yielding lines. Panicle and yield-related traits of DH population consisting of 163 lines and 13 selected high-yielding lines were analyzed using correlation, principal component, and path analysis. Among panicle-related traits, number of spikelets on secondary rachis-branches (SRBs) was more highly correlated with and had more positive effect on number of spikelets (NS) than number of spikelets on primary rachis-branches (PRBs) per panicle. In the DH population, NS had the most positive effect on yield, whereas panicle number per hill (PN) was in the selected lines. PN was significantly positive correlated with ratio of ripened grain (RGG) in both case. The enhancement of ripening and increase of total spikelets number by increasing PN had more effect on yield than increase of total spiekelts number by increasing NS in the selected lines. Among 13 lines, four lines, AC60, AC152, AC156, and AC161 showed higher yield than Deuraechan (481 kg/10a) and Boramchan (558 kg/10a). Deuraechan exhibited panicle-weight type with low tiller and heavy panicles and Boramchan was slightly panicle-number type with more PN and higher RGG. Selected high-yielding lines showed medium characteristics of parents with improved yield potential. These elite lines could be utilized to develop high-yielding japonica rice.

A new rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) F₁ hybrid ‘Haean’ was crossed between ‘Mokpo-CGMS’, male sterile line and ‘8516-B-5-6-1-2’, restore line for the adaptation of paddy land culture with early maturing, disease resistant and lodging tolerance in 2008. Yield trials were conducted from 2009 to 2010 in Muan, and regional adaptation trials were examined from 2011 to 2013 in four regions. ‘Haean’ has dark green, cleft and parted leaf, light yellowish flower, and black seed color. The maturation date of ‘Haean’ is 4^th June, 4 days earlier than ‘Sunmang’. In the regional adaptation trials, average yield of ‘Haean’ was 272 kg/10a, which was 6% higher than ‘Sunmang’. Seed oil content of ‘Haean’ was 44.2%. In fatty acid composition, oleic acid content is 69.8%, which is 2.5% higher than ‘Sunmang’. Total glucosinolates content was 1.84 mg/g. ‘Haean’ has characteristics of disease resistant and lodging tolerance, this variety can be cultured at paddy lands in southwestern area including Jeonnam, Jeonbuk and Kyongnam provinces and Cheju island of Korea.

The ‘Jangwon’ chestnut (Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc.) was released from Korean native chestnut trees by the Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) to develop cultivars with desirable nut characteristics such as high sweetness and easy peeling in 2010. This cultivar was first selected from a natural population in 2001, and the preliminary trials for evaluation were carried out from 2007 to 2009. The harvest time of ‘Jangwon’ was the second week of September and the total yield of an 8-year-old tree was 3.9 kg. Also, ‘Jangwon’ was a suitable cultivar for making roasted peeled products because its soluble solid content was 17.5%, kernel hardness was 9.6 kg·cm², and pellicle removability was 98.6%, which were much higher than those of the control cultivar, Arima. Furthermore, this cultivar is suitable as a pollinator for the improvement of pellicle removability of other chestnut trees.

In order to develop a hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cultivar which is suitable for cropping after the rice harvest in middle and northern regions because the cultivar can stably pass the winter season and produce much green manure, the National Institute of Crop Science developed the ‘Ontobi’, an elite cultivar through the method of line breeding after having selected good plants with superior growth rate which were derived from the germplasm ‘Ch4 (introduced from China)’. As main characteristics, ‘Ontobi’ has vivid green leaves during the blooming period and its stem hair’s density is high, and its blooming period is May 15 on average nationwide, and its average blooming period is 5 days later than that of ‘Cheongpoongbora’ the check variety. The Ontobi’s overwintering rate is 87% on average, showing 2% higher than that of the check variety, and its dry matter yield is 5.44 ton/ha on average, showing 17% more than that of the check variety, and its nitrogen content is 172kg/ha on average, showing 13% more than that of the check variety. ‘Ontobi’ can be cultivated in every region nationwide having its average lowest temperature in January is over -15°C.

‘Sweet Dream’(Vitis complex), a new triploid seedless grape cultivar, is developed from the grape breeding program at Gangwondo Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2009. ‘Sweet Dream’ was obtained from a cross ‘Honey Black’(Vitis complex) and ‘Campbell Early’(Vitis labrusca), a diploid x tetraploid grape cultivar. Characteristics of fruits and vines in ‘Sweet Dream’ were observed from 2006 to 2008, and ‘Sweet Dream’ was finally selected in 2009. Its optimum harvest time in Chuncheon is September 11, 12 days later than ‘Campbell Early’. ‘Sweet Dream’ has strong vine vigor and moderate freezing tolerance, with no bud damage occurring during winter in Chuncheon. The average weight of a cluster is 440g, and its average soluble solids concentration is 16.4 °Brix. It is seedless and has larger fruit size and better fruit quality than ‘Campbell Early’. It, therefore, is expected that introduction of ‘Sweet Dream’ could contribute to the diversification and gentrification of Korean grape cultivars (Registration No. 4359).

A soybean cultivar ‘Yonpoong’ which has safety high yield for double cropping system introduced winter forage crop was released by agricultural resource research institute of ARES, Gyeunggi Province in 2010. The goals of breeding were for large seed size, high yield, and resistance to disease such as spotting disease. ‘Yonpoong’ was derived from the cross of ‘Suwon 191’, which large seed size and high yield, and ‘Suwon 126’, which early maturity cultivar, and short stem. The preliminary, advanced and regional yield trials for evaluation and selection were carried out from 2005 to 2010. ‘Yonpoong’ has a determinate growth habit with purple flower, grey pubescence, brown pod color, yellow seed coat, yellow cotyledon, elongated seed shape, large seed size(28.7 g per 100 seeds). The maturing date was sept. 22. Tofu yield was similar to that of check cultivar ‘Daewonkong’. The average yield of ‘Yonpoong’ was 3.34 MT/ha in the regional yield trials(RTY) carried out in Korea from 2008 to 2010 which 38 percent higher than the check cultivar ‘Daewonkong’.

‘Danmi’, a sugary rice (Oryza sativa L.), was developed by the Department of Functional Crops, NICS, RDA in 2008. This variety was derived from a cross between ‘Sugary’ a genetic stock of germplasm as a source of sugary endosperm and ‘Seomjinbyeo’ in summer of 1994. The pedigree of ‘Danmi’ is YR16541-14-3-1-2-1-1-3-1-1 which was designated as ‘Milyang 227’ in 2005. Heading date of ‘Danmi’ is August 19, a medium-late maturing ecotype. The total sugar content of ‘Danmi’ was 21.7% with fructose (1.16%), glucose (7.87%), sucrose (9.69%), maltose (0.52%), and raffinose (2.13%), respectively. The appearance of grain is flat shape with 1,000 grain of brown rice is 16.1g. The yield potential of ‘Danmi’ in brown rice is 2.58MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test from 2006 to 2008. The sugary rice ‘Danmi’ would be adaptable to the plain paddy field of middle, honam and yeongnam province of Korea.

In chronic renal failure, to reduce the burden on the kidneys, it is necessary to provide patients with therapy based on a low-protein diet. To cope with this situation, low and easy to-digest protein rice variety is helpful. ‘Geongyang2’, low glutelins rice cultivar, was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA, Miryang, Korea in 2012. ‘Geongyang2’was derived from a cross between ‘Junambyeo’and‘Chugoku 173’ as a source of low glutelin and amylose. The pedigree of ‘Geongyang2’was YR24174-B-B-B-B-46 and designated as the ‘Milyang262’ in 2009. The local adaptability test of ‘Milyang262’ was carried out at six locations from 2010 to 2012. ‘Geongyang2’ is a mid-maturing ecotype with 65cm in culm length and the number of spikelet/panicle and 1,000 grain weight of brown rice were slightly lower compared to those of ‘Nampyeongbyeo’. ‘Geongyang2’ is resistant to bacterial blight and virus disease while susceptible to major insect and pest. The glutelin and amylose contents of ‘Geongyang2’ were 63.1% and 11.5%, respectively. The milled rice yield of ‘Gyeongyang2’ is 4.61MT/ha at the ordinary transplanting of the local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to the plain paddy field of middle, honam and yeongnam province of Korea under ordinary cropping system.

A new peanut variety ‘Ami’ (Arachis hypogaea ssp. fastigiata.) was bred at the Department of Functional Crop, NICS, in Milyang in 2012. This was developed by pedigree method after the cross between the short stem cultivar ‘Satonoka’ and the disease resistant cultivar ‘Milyang16’. ‘Ami’ which is Shinpung plant type had 10 branches per plant and its length of main stem was 50 cm. Each pod has two grains with brown testa and long ellipse-shaped large kernel, and its 100 seed weight was 84 g in the regional yield trials (RYT). ‘Ami’ showed 50.5% of crude oil and 60.5% of oleic acid composition in dry seed, and had 24.9 mg/g of sucrose and 4.5 mg/g of tannin content in fresh peanut. In the regional yield trials, ‘Ami’ was more productive than reference variety by 7% with 10.10 MT/ha for fresh pod production and by 14% with 4.51 MT/ha for dry grain production.

‘Ondami’, a japonica rice cultivar developed from a cross between Hitomebore having a high grain quality and Sangju27 adaptable to southern mid-mountainous area was developed by the rice breeding team of Sangju Substation, NICS, RDA in 2013. The heading date of ‘Ondami’ is july 27 which is same with ‘Odae’ in Southern mid-mountainous area, mid mountainous, southern alpine area and north-east coastal area of South Korea. ‘Ondami’ has 70cm culm length, 19cm panicle length which is 2cm shorter than those of ‘Odae’ and 78 spikelets per panicle. In reaction to biotic and abiotic stresses, it shows strong resistance to blast, but is susceptible to bacterial blight, virus diseases, and insect pests. The milled rice of ‘Ondami’ exhibits translucent and, relatively clear non-glutinous endosperm, and medium short grain shape. This variety has a higher head rice milling recovery ratio(73.1%) and lower amylose content(18.8%) than that of ‘Odae’. The milled rice yield performance of this variety was about 5.29 MT/ha in ordinary cultivation of local adaptability test for three years. ‘Ondami’ could be adaptable to Southern mid-mountainous area, mid mountainous, southern alpine area and north-east coastal area of South Korea.

Cymbidium goeringi of ‘Ariul’ was developed from the cross between Daebugui and SC-005 by Semangeum Bio Center in 2001. The harvested seed was germinated and cultivated. During the cultivation, an individual plant showing unique marginal stripe pattern was selected in 2006. Through continuous cultivation and checking the special patterns in the leaf, the phenotype was fixed through 2007 ~ 2008. From field cultivation in 2009, the fixed phenotype of marginal stripe pattern was confirmed. Ariul shows clear marginal stripe patterns with yellow color. The leaf color is dark green with 20 cm ~ 25 cm length. The flower of jade color has fragrance with 3 cm width and 2.5 cm length.

Cymbidium goeringi of ‘ Julie’ was developed from the cross between the accession of SC-017 and Daeyeophyeran by Semangeum Bio Center in 2004. The harvested seed was germinated and cultivated. During the cultivation, a individual plant showing marginal stripe pattern was selected in 2008. Through continuous cultivation and checking the special patterns in the leaf, the phenotype was fixed in 2009. From field cultivation in 2010, the fixed phenotype of marginal stripe pattern was confirmed. Julie shows clear marginal stripe patterns with yellow-green color. This pattern is more cleared as it grows. The leaf color is dark green with 35 ~ 40 cm length. The flower has fragrance with 4 cm width and 2.7 cm length.