APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factors are involved in biological and abiotic stress response, plant development, and growth. AP2/ERF genes are classified into five families (AP2, DREB, ERF, RAV, and soloist), and most genes belong to DREB and ERF families. So far, genomic analysis of DREB and ERF family genes of various plant species has been performed, and classifications based on the homology of AP2/ERF-specific DNA binding domain, arrangement of exons and introns, and similarity of group-specific conserved motifs have been conducted. These classifications provide plausible information for the prediction of AP2/ERF gene function. In this paper, an overview of the classification, structure, evolution, and function of AP2/ERF genes is described, and the functional properties and regulatory mechanisms of ERF family genes that have been identified are summarized by group according to the functional classification of Arabidopsis ERF family genes. This shows that group-specific conserved motifs of Arabidopsis ERF family genes are closely linked with group-specific functions and regulatory mechanisms, indicating that the effective functional prediction of ERF family genes through such a classification scheme can be usefully applied to the trait improvements of various plants.

Soybean cultivars with genetically low levels of stachyose enhance the utilization of soybean in food as well as feed uses. The objective of this research is to obtain the information on indirection selection of soybean lines with low stachyose content using DNA marker based on rs2 (rs2) gene. Two genetic populations were developed from the crosses of three parents (116-13 parent : low stachyose content, PI417227 and PI506903 parents: normal stachyose content). Twenty F₂ plants of RS2_genotype and twenty F₂ plants of rs2rs2 genotype from each populations were harvested. Content of stachyose was detected by HPLC. Stachyose contents (g/kg) of 116-13, PI417227, PI506903 parents were 3.7, 23.7, and 17.8, respectively. In population 1, stachyose content 20 F₂ plants with RS2_ genotype was 14.8 – 24.1 and stachyose content 20 F₂ plants with rs2rs2 genotype was 2.1 – 4.7. In population 2, stachyose content 20 F₂ plants with RS2_ genotype was 12.4 – 19.7 and stachyose content 20 F₂ plants with rs2rs2 genotype was 2.1 – 5.0. Mean difference between RS2_ genotype and rs2rs2 genotype in population 1 and 2 was highly significant. From this results, selection of genetic lines with low stachyose content by DNA marker based on RS2 (rs2) gene will be possible.

In this study, phenotypic distribution of 15 major fruit quality traits were analyzed using 252 progenies derived from a cross between ‘Tano Red’ (seed) and ‘Ruby Seedless’ (seedless), to obtain basic data for improving the breeding efficiency of grapevine cultivars. Berry skin color was dark red-violet in 46.4% of the progenies, which is the color of ‘Tano Red’ and ‘Ruby Seedless’, and berry shape was elliptic in 48.4%. Most of the progenies were very juicy with soft flesh, and closely related to the characteristics of ‘Tano Red’. Seeds were well developed in 67.1% of the progenies, rudimentary in 30.1%, and 2.8% were seedless, with seed weight being less than 0.15 g in 84.9% of the progenies. Among the 15 fruit quality traits assessed, bunch density, ease of berry detachment from pedicel, berry weight, berry seed number, berry longitudinal diameter, berry transverse diameter, berry soluble solids, and berry acidity showed normal distributions. Heritability of berry weight, berry longitudinal diameter, berry transverse diameter, berry soluble solids, and berry acidity was 0.89, 0.82, 0.78, 0.86, and 0.93, respectively. Berry weight was positively correlated with seed weight (r = 0.486^**), presence of seeds (r = 0.483^**), and seed number (r = 0.211^**). Seed weight significantly increased with presence of seeds (r = 0.607^**) and seed number (r = 0.725^**). In addition, presence of seeds was positively correlated with seed number (r = 0.319^**). These results could be useful for the identification of quantitative trait loci associated with fruit quality to assist in grapevine breeding.

Rice production is largely affected by various environmental conditions such as cold, heat and flooding. Here, to identify cold tolerant QTLs at seedling stage in rice, we generated RIL population derived from a cross between Hanareum 2 and Unkwang which are a highly cold sensitive and cold tolerant, respectively. We observed cold phenotype of this population in the growth chamber conditions and natural field conditions. For observation of cold tolerant phenotype of RIL population in the growth chamber, we treated cold stress (5~13°C) for 14 days and recovery for 4 days. When we examined the phenotype of RIL in the field conditions, temperature range in the field conditions was about 6 to 25°C in 2015~2016. We named QTLs as Seedling Cold Tolerant (SCT) in growth chamber and Cold induced Yellowing Tolerant (CYT) in the field, respectively. Three QTLs for SCT and 5 QTLs for CYT were detected on chromosome 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12. Among these QTLs, qSCT12 on chromosome 12 showed 26.3 LOD score with 25.5% of phenotypic variation. When qSCT11.1 and qSCT12 were combined, cold tolerant was most strongest in our experimental conditions. qCYT10 on chromosome 10 was identified in field experiment on both 2015 and 2016. These results may provide useful information for a marker-assisted breeding program to improve cold tolerance in rice.

Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani and investigation on fusarium wilt development by isolates and inoculation methods were conducted to establish a screening method for fusarium wilt-resistance in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) germplasm. Pathogenicity of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani isolate, Heonggye-1 and Heonggye-2, to radish plants was confirmed by seedling test. Radish seedlings were inoculated by root-dipping and soil-drenching with or without root-wounding. For Heonggye-1 isolate, mean disease indexes were 4.13 and 3.91 by root-dipping and soil-drenching with root-wounding, respectively, but those were 1.87 and 1.88 without root-wounding. For Heonggye-2 isolate, mean disease indexes were 3.83 to 4.37 regardless of inoculation methods. Two-hundred sixty accessions of radish germplasm collected from 9 countries of Asia and Europe were evaluated for fusarium wilt-resistance by soil-drenching with root-wounding with Heonggye-2 isolate. Fifty-four resistant accessions with higher than 70% of the percentage of resistant seedlings in accession (P_R) and lower than 20% of the percentage of susceptible seedlings in accession (PS) was found. Eighteen susceptible accessions with lower than 20% of P_R and higher than 50% of PS were selected. These accessions could be used as breeding and research materials after re-evaluation of disease-resistance and characterization of agronomical traits.

It is important for radish to have late flowering characteristics especially in the case of spring and winter cultivars. To understand late flowering characteristics of radish at the molecular level the flowering time genes of two radish lines (NH-JS1 and NH-JS2) with different flowering time were compared by re-sequencing their genomes. There were a total of 872,587 SNPs and 194,637 INDELs between the two lines. The SNP density of each chromosome was relatively uniform throughout, but the region with low SNP density was found at the end of R3 and the middle of R9. To compare the flowering time genes of the two lines, we first looked for the flowering time genes in radish using Arabidopsis thaliana flowering time genes. As a result, homologs of radish were found for most flowering time genes, but FRIGIDA was not found. Among 224 radish flowering time gene-homologs found, 97 genes showed more than one sequence difference (SNP or INDEL) between the two lines, and 127 genes had no difference. In particular, no sequence differences were found in FT, CO, and FLC, core flowering time control genes. Rs350520 (FVE), Rs193800 (CURLY LEAF) and Rs255320 (ATX1) with more than 100 sequence variations were expected to have a significant effect on flowering time difference between the two lines. These results will be of great help in understanding the flowering timing difference between the two lines at the molecular level.

This study was conducted to compare changes of total carotenoid contents and antioxidant activities in yellow waxy corns (Zea mays L.) depending on harvest time. The total carotenoid contents of yellow waxy inbred lines and hybrids increased from 19 days and then the highest content of total carotenoid contents was observed at 25 to 27 days after pollination. Thereafter, there was little change in total carotenoid contents. According to analysis total content of carotenoids on 23 days after pollination, which was the period of harvesting waxy corn, KY2 was the highest as 15.4 ㎍/g in inbred lines and KY2/KY39 was the hightest as 11.2 ㎍/g in hybrids, respectively. The total carotenoid contents of each hybrid were higher than mean that of their parent lines except for some hybrids. The total carotenoid contents of KY27/KY37 were significantly higher than those of their parental lines. Antioxidant activity of yellow waxy corn showed a tendency to increase after decrease depending on delaying harvesting time. Antioxidant activities of hybrids were higher than that of inbred lines. As a result of correlation analysis between total carotenoid contents and antioxidant activity, correlation coefficient of inbred lines and hybrids was as low as -0.12 and -0.13, respectively. When the harvest time was delayed, the lightness of yellow waxy corn decreased but the redness and yellowness increased. As a result of correlation analysis between Hunter’s Lab value and total carotenoid contents, correlation coefficient of lightness, redness and yellowness were -0.22, 0.67, 0.53, respectively.

To diversify the grain size and shape of japonica rice, we developed the Breeding Materials with Diverse Grain Size and Shape (BM_DGS) and characterized the grain and yield-related traits. We used the donor parents Jizi1560 and Jizi1581, japonica germplasm with extremely large grain size. Four cross combinations between the each donor parents and Korean high yielding japonica rice cultivars, Deuraechan and Boramchan, were constructed and anther culture method was applied. Among 290 doubled haploid lines, we selected 91 elite lines with diverse grain size and shape and designated to the BM_DGS. The grain size and shape of BM_DGS exhibited beyond the characteristics of previously developed Korean rice cultivars. The alleles of major grain-related genes, GW2, GS3, and qSW5, in BM_DGS showed two types, wild type or loss-of-function mutant type. The loss-of-function mutant alleles, gw2, gs3, and qSw5, had an effect on increasing grain size. The phenotypic variation of grain length was mostly controlled by GS3 alleles, and grain width and thickness were influenced by the combinations of GW2 and qSW5 alleles. 1,000-grain weight was determined by the combinations of GW2, GS3, and qSW5. The grain-related genes influenced the phenotypic variation of yield-related traits. The result of this study could be useful to elucidate the relationship between the grain-related genes and agronomic traits. And the BM_DGS are being utilized in the breeding programs to diversify the grain size and shape in japonica rice.

A new small red bean cultivar, ‘Geomguseul’, was artificially crossed between ‘Chilbo’ and ‘SA8412-3-1-4-3-3-2-3’ in 1998, fixed excellent agronomic characters by pedigree breeding method, and selected for the further trials with the name of ‘Miryang 10’. It was prominent and showed good result, such as high grain quality, lodging resistance, and high-antioxidant activity in the regional adaptation yield trials (RYT) for three years from 2009 to 2011 and released for the public consumption as the name of ‘SA9801-24-4-3-1’ in 2011. ‘Geomguseul’ has a semi-determinate growth habit, yellow flower, green embryonic axis, black seed coat, white hilum, and small spherical seed (12.2 grams per 100 seeds). The average yield of ‘Geomguseul’ was 2.01 MT/ha in the regional yield trials (RYT) carried out for three years from 2009 to 2011 which was a little higher than that (1.98 MT/ha) of the check variety, ‘Chungju’.

‘Daname’ is a foxtail millet(Setaria italica Beauv.) variety developed and registered by Department of Southern Area Crop Science, NICS, RDA in 2014. This variety which collected from IT252182 was developed through pure line selection. ‘Daname’ is a early-maturing variety having 100 days of growth period from seeding to harvesting in Milyang of Korea. The culm length is about 97 cm which is 20cm shorter culm length than standard variety ‘Hwanggeumjo’, and it showed tolerant to lodging in field. The panicle shape is a cylindrical and the length is about 19cm. According to the grain, seed color and dehusked grain colors are orange and yellow and endosperm characteristic is non-glutinous. The yield performance of this variety was about 3.81 t ha^-1 in local adaptability test from 2013 to 2014 and it showed similar with standard variety ‘Hwanggeumjo’. As the addition amount of ‘Daname’ in rice increased from 0% to 30% and 100%, the antioxidant ability of ‘Daname’ added rice and hardness/stickiness balances were increased. But we could not find out the difference of hardness/stickiness balances between 0%and 10% addition. So, 10% addition amount was concluded to increase antioxidant ability regardless eating quality of cooked rice. (Variety registration No. 6243)

We developed new two-rowed covered barley ‘Gwangmaeg’ superior to ‘Hopum’ that has been widely cultivated in Korea for using beer-materials. ‘Gwanngmaeg’ was related from the line named as ‘Iksan149’ in 2010 after yield trials test in conducted for three years from 2008. And then it was registered to ‘Plant protection right, No. 5847’ in 2016 after field experiment by KSVS(Korea Seed & Variety Service). ‘Gwangmaeg’ has distinct characteristics in winter type (IV) and mid-tall culm length which makes reduce damage by off-season heading and lodging comparing to those of ‘Hopum’. ‘Gwangmaeg’ have characteristics of cold tolerance and disease resistance to BaYMV(Barley yellow mosaic virus) and Net blotch(Pyrenophora teres). Yield of ‘Gwangmaeg’ was about 611kg/10a and 524kg/10a in upland and paddy field condition, respectively, which higher 2-4% than ‘Hopum’, however, it has no significant difference. In quality examination for beer usage, ‘Gwangmaeg’ has lager grain and higher assortment ratio than those of ‘Hopum’. In malt quality, ‘Gwangmaeg’ showed higher and better quality in malt extract rate and diastatic power than those of ‘Hopum’. ‘Gwangmaeg’ would be suitable for the area above –4°C of daily minimum temperature in January in Korean peninsula.

‘Migamjosaeng’ (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is a new pollination-variant non-astringent type (PVNA) persimmon cultivar developed by Sweet Persimmon Research Institute of Gyeongnam Agricultural Research & Extension Services. This cultivar was selected among the seedlings obtained from the cross between ‘Mazumotowase-Fuyu’ and ‘Nishimurawase’ in 1995. The seedlings were cultivated from 1996 to 2001 and ‘Migamjosaeng’ was selected in 2002. The tree growth habit and fruit characteristics of ‘Migamjosaeng’ were investigated from 2004 to 2007. The tree growth habit was moderate vigor and showed spreading shape. Flowers bloomed only in female flowers. The flowering time was similar to that of ‘Nishimurawase’ (control) in late May, but the harvest time was about 3 days earlier than ‘Nishimurawase’ in late September. ‘Migamjosaeng’ is characterized by its beautiful orange skin color with round flat shape of fruits. Average fruit size was about 160g. Soluble solids were 16.6°Brix and higher than that of control (14.5°Brix), which contributed to its excellent tastiness. It was noteworthy that occurrence of calyx-end cracked fruits and striped fruit was very rare compared with the control. Therefore, ‘Migamjosaeng’ trees produced marketable fruits much higher than the control tree. Flesh firmness was slightly high and similar to ‘Nishimurawase’.

Red onion cultivar ‘Eumjinara’ with mild taste and early maturation was developed in 2013 by the Allium vegetable crop research team, National Institute Crop Science, Rural development Administration (RDA). ‘Eumjinara’ was originally selected from red onion breeding line, ‘IS1115’, It was preliminarily selected and designated ‘Mon21-31-3’ and advanced yield trial was performed from 2008 to 2009. Regional yield trial test was conducted in six regions from 2010 to 2012. Foliage morphology and leaf color were similar to those of a check cultivar, ‘Cheonjujeok’, but its shape was comparatively broad ovate. Foliage of ‘Eumjinara’ lodged seven days earlier than check cultivar on May 31 and the average bulb weight (234±49.1 g/bulb) was also higher than that of check cultivar. The new cultivar was relatively resistant to clod hardness and downy mildew infection in the field condition. Average yield of ‘Eumjinara’ in three–year the regional yield trials was 6,999 kg/10a. The total soluble solid contents and quercetin concentrations were 41.43 μg/g FW and 556.11 μg/g FW, respectively.

‘Pungwonmi’, a new sweetpotato variety, was developed for table use by Bioenergy Crop Research Institute, National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA in 2014. This variety was derived from the cross between ‘Benisatsuma’ and ‘Luby3074’ in 2006. The seedling and line selections were performed from 2007 to 2009, and preliminary and advanced yield trials were carried out from 2010 to 2011. The regional yield trials were conducted at five locations from 2012 to 2014, and it was named as ‘Pungwonmi’. This variety has cordate leaf shape, and its leaves, stems, nodes, and petioles are green. Storage root of ‘Pungwonmi’ has an elliptical shape, red skin, and light orange flesh. ‘Pungwonmi’ was moderately resistant to fusarium wilt, and resistant to root-knot nematode. Dry matter content was 31.2%, and texture of steamed storage root was intermediate. Total sugar content of raw and steamed storage roots of ‘Pungwonmi’ was higher than that of ‘Yulmi’. β-carotene content of ‘Pungwonmi’ was 9.1 mg/100g DW. Yield of marketable storage root over 50 g of ‘Pungwonmi’ was 24.3 MT/ha under the early season culture, which was 46% higher than that of ‘Yulmi’. The number of marketable storage roots per plant was 2.8 and the average weight of marketable storage root was 156 g under the optimal and late season culture. Marketable storage root yield of ‘Pungwonmi’ was 24.1 MT/ha under the optimum and late season culture, which was 26% higher than that of ‘Yulmi’. (Registration No. 6428).