South America, particularly the Southern Cone region, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, serves as a global hub for soybean production, accounting for more than 56% of global supply. However, this region experiences recurrent and severe drought risks driven by climate variability associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), resulting in significant economic losses. Consequently, biotechnology- based drought-tolerant soybean breeding has emerged as a critical national strategy across these countries. Argentina has positioned itself as a primary technology originator with the development of the HB4 soybean, the world’s first commercial drought-tolerant trait, utilizing the sunflower-derived transcription factor HaHB4. Brazil is advancing beyond single-trait approaches by developing multistacked biotech varieties that integrate drought tolerance with herbicide resistance, insect resistance, and oxidative stress mitigation. Furthermore, Paraguay and Uruguay are rapidly emerging as international hubs for field testing and commercialization, supported by streamlined regulatory frameworks and a “dual-track” strategy for both genetically modified (GM) and genome-edited (GE) crops. This review integrates molecular strategies, national regulatory systems, and commercialization trends in South America and discusses strategic implications for Korea. Despite Korea’s limited domestic experience in large-scale commercial cultivation owing to regulatory constraints, it possesses internationally competitive expertise in transcription factor engineering, CRISPR-based precision breeding, and AI-driven stress phenotyping. We propose a strategic technology export model that leverages Korea’s advanced R&D capabilities as a “technology provider” and “joint developer,” in partnership with South American countries. Such collaborations can foster a climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem and secure Korea’s position in the global biotech seed market.

The composition of high-molecular-weight-glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) is a key determinant of wheat baking properties. These subunits are encoded by the GLU-A1, GLU-B1, and GLU-D1 loci on the long arm of chromosome 1 and consist of x- and y-type subunits. Allelic variations in composition are a major factor influencing bakery quality. Unlike sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), which often fail to resolve closely related allelic variants, PCR-based markers allow for clear and definitive discrimination at the DNA level. Building on the results of a previous study that determined the GLU-B1 allele composition, we aimed to confirm—through the use of PCR markers—the allele compositions of GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 in 44 domestic wheat varieties. The results showed that “Jonong” and “Sinmichal1” contained the Glu-A1b (A1x2*) allele rather than Glu-A1a (A1x1) or Glu-A1c (A1x-null). Additionally, “Jonong” and “Sinmichal1” exhibited the allelic composition Glu-D1a (D1x2+D1y12), rather than Glu-D1d (D1x5+D1y10) or Glu-D1f (D1x2.2+D1y12). These results were compared with those obtained by SDS-PAGE and UPLC. The PCR-based markers used to identify GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 alleles in this study will be valuable for determining the allelic composition at the GLU-A1 and GLU-D1 loci in domestic wheat varieties. Furthermore, the re-evaluated genetic composition is expected to improve the precision of assessments related to the baking quality of domestic wheat.

In the present study, we conducted a detailed analysis of the genetic diversity and structural organization of 96 domestic Korean rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) using 2,565 high-resolution TCS-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Genetic structural variations were investigated using diversity indices, PCA, genetic similarity, and network analysis. Genetic diversity analysis revealed a significant expansion of the genetic foundation after the 1980s, marked by a sharp increase in the number of alleles (Na) from the 2000s. Despite this, high genetic homogeneity was maintained, with an average similarity of 77.7%. The observed 10% difference among same-cross varieties suggests that critical genetic variations are fixed by strong selection pressures for quality traits. Network analysis (85% similarity threshold) confirmed that the Korean rice breeding population followed a distinct core-periphery model (eight communities). The connected 84 varieties had a centrality range of 0.01 0.39. Core Variety Groups (e.g., ‘Junam’ and ‘Sindongjin’) exhibited the highest centrality (up to 0.39), indicating their extensive use as key breeding parents and their function as the central axis of the genetic network. Bridge Variety Groups (e.g., ‘Hwayeong’ and ‘Samkwang’) played an intermediary role linking clusters. Crucially, 12 ‘isolated accessions’ showed zero centrality (0.00), representing a genetic disconnect from the main pool. This quantitative network-based assessment provides essential fundamental data for breeders to select appropriate germplasms. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the current cultivar naming system, which inadequately reflects genetic relationships, requires reassessment, and that the establishment of objective management standards based on this research is warranted.

‘Eunhyang’ is a new strawberry cultivar developed in 2021 by the Strawberry Research Institute of the Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services for forcing culture. The cultivar was bred to diversify the domestic market dominated by the single cultivar ‘Sulhyang’ and to improve fruit quality, including sweetness, firmness, and flavor. ‘Daewang,’ characterized by excellent flavor, aroma, and high firmness was used as the female parent, while ‘Durihyang,’ bred by the same institute with large fruit size, strong vigor, and good taste, was used as the male parent. Artificial crossing was conducted in 2017, followed by seedling selection, evaluation of characteristics, and productivity testing from 2018 to 2020. The selected line, initially designated ‘Nonsan 16,’ was officially named ‘Eunhyang’ in 2021. ‘Eunhyang’ exhibits semi-spreading growth, strong plant vigor, and elliptic leaves. Its flowering date is slightly earlier than that of ‘Sulhyang,’ and it shows excellent continuous flowering ability. The first harvest date was similar to that of ‘Sulhyang.’ The fruits are conical and bright light red. The first flower cluster has 8.6 flowers, fewer than ‘Sulhyang’ (16.8), reducing labor for flower thinning. It demonstrates higher soluble solids content (11.0 °Brix), stronger fruit firmness (14.1 g/mm²), and a higher sugar-to-acid ratio (19.0) than ‘Sulhyang.’ The average fruit weight is 17.7 g, which is heavier than ‘Sulhyang’ (15.4 g). Total yield is 3,945 kg/10a, which is 93% of ‘Sulhyang’ (4,236 kg/10a). ‘Eunhyang’ is relatively susceptible to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and two-spotted spider mites. ‘Eunhyang’ was registered for plant variety protection in 2023 (Registration No. 9751).

A new soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar, ‘Dadrim,’ was developed by the National Institute of Crop and Food Science (NICS). ‘Dadrim’ is characterized by its superior suitability for tofu processing and high adaptability to mechanized cultivation. This cultivar ‘Milyang374’ was developed using the pedigree method from an artificial cross made in 2012 between ‘Milyang231’ and ‘Chamol.’ Its agronomic characteristics and production stability were verified through regional adaptation trials conducted over three years (2020- 2022). ‘Dadrim’ exhibits a determinate growth habit, white flowers, and spherical seeds with a yellow seed coat and yellow hilum. It is a large-seeded variety with a 100-seed weight of 30.9 g. As a late-maturing variety, it reaches maturity around October 22. Despite a relatively short plant height, it features a high first pod height of 16 cm, making it advantageous for mechanical harvesting. ‘Dadrim’ is resistant to bacterial pustule and soybean mosaic virus and possesses excellent lodging resistance. Notably, ‘Dadrim’ demonstrates a high tofu yield of 283%, which is 67% points higher than ‘Daewonkong’. The resulting tofu has a soft texture, making it suitable for soft and silken tofu. It also received high preference scores for taste and texture in sensory evaluations. ‘Dadrim’ yielded 3.37 tons/ha, an 8% increase compared to ‘Daewonkong.’ This new variety is expected to increase farm income and advance the domestic tofu industry (Registration No. 10461).

Perilla is a traditional oilseed crop cultivated in Korea. The ‘Nulsaemi’ cultivar was developed for oil use because of its large seed size and high functional compound content. It originated from a cross between ‘Daesil’ (IT274265), with high crude fat content and a soft seed coat, and ‘Milyang16’ (K015415), with large, brown seeds and a hard seed coat. The cross was created in 2008, and promising lines were selected through pedigree breeding up to the F₆ generation. Advanced yield trials were conducted in 2016 and regional yield trials were conducted at four sites (Milyang, Suwon, Cheongju, and Iksan) from 2017 to 2019. ‘Nulsaemi’ matures around October 8, which is slightly later than the standard cultivar ‘Dayu’. It also has a 1,000-seed weight of 5.2 g, which is 1.4 g heavier than ‘Dayu’. The seed hardness was low, making it suitable for processing. The average yield was 125 kg/10a, about 3% higher than that of ‘Dayu’. The seeds contained approximately 45.1% crude fat and 63.4% alpha-linolenic acid, similar to those of the standard cultivar. However, rosmarinic acid content was significantly higher at 2,130.6 μg/g, about 18% more than ‘Dayu’. In sensory evaluation, oil extracted from ‘Nulsaemi’ showed better appearance, aroma, taste, and overall preference compared to the control, in both cold-pressed and roasted oil types. ‘Nulsaemi’ is expected to be a high-quality oilseed cultivar suitable for premium perilla oil production (Registration No. 8792).

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (the Korean angelica tree) is a popular wild spring vegetable crop in East Asia. Owing to its ease of cultivation and harvesting from the second year after planting, this species is a promising forest crop for short-term income. However, the presence of prickles on the stems and shoots reduces harvesting efficiency and negatively affects product quality. This study reports the breeding and morphological characteristics of a new prickle-less cultivar, ‘Seochun’, which exhibits strong cold tolerance and early sprouting. Among the 192 native accessions collected across Korea, a superior prickle-less and cold-tolerant clone was selected and evaluated over two years (2019-2020) of field trials. The stems of ‘Seochun’ were completely smooth and prickle-less, with a larger basal diameter (40.0 mm) compared to the control (29.7 mm). The sprouting and harvesting times were approximately seven days earlier than those of the control. As an early harvest and prickle-less cultivar of A. elata, ‘Seochun’ is expected to improve both the shoot productivity and labor efficiency during harvesting and cutback operations (Research support number: 375).

A white sesame variety, ‘Haniall’ (Sesamum indicum L.), exhibiting shattering resistance and early maturity, was developed in 2021. ‘Haniall’ originated from a cross between ‘Suwon195’ and ‘Early Russian’ in 2014. ‘Haniall’ features a plant type characterized many branches and single capsule per node. Notably, the ‘Haniall’ exhibited resistance to seed shattering. The yield of Haniall was about 104 kg/10 a, which is 20% higher than that of ‘Ansan.’ ‘Haniall’ showed crude fat content of 54%, a lignan content of 6.4 mg/g. This variety is expected to contribute to the increased sesame production in Korea through large-scale mechanical cultivation (Registration No. 10320).

This study aimed to develop a novel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar enriched in phytoene and phytofluene, colorless carotenoids known for their health-promoting properties. Parental lines with diverse fruit colors and morphological traits were selected and crossbred to generate three F₁ hybrids: ‘Rubybell’, ‘INDIGO-G’, and ‘BLACK-B’. The phytoene and phytofluene contents of the hybrids were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among them, ‘Rubybell’ exhibited the highest concentrations of phytoene (0.105 mg/g) and total phytofluene (0.118 mg/g), representing increases of 51% and 29% compared to the maternal line APR-52-MU, and 14% and 1% compared to the paternal line CAPP1745, respectively. Compared to commercial tomato cultivars, ‘Rubybell’ exhibited 76- and 23-fold higher levels of phytoene and phytofluene, respectively. Furthermore, ‘Rubybell’ accumulated higher levels of these functional compounds when cultivated in March and October, underscoring the influence of the planting season on carotenoid biosynthesis. These findings offer valuable insights into the breeding of high-value functional tomatoes and support their potential use in health-promoting food applications (Registration number: 10514).

Global climate change has intensified droughts and other extreme weather conditions, leading to serious declines in agricultural productivity. Genetically modified (GM) soybeans with drought tolerance have been developed to enhance crop resilience. Prior to commercialization, GM crops must undergo compositional equivalence assessments to confirm that no unintended compositional differences exist compared to their non-GM counterparts. In this study, we evaluated the nutritional and compositional equivalence of two drought-tolerant GM soybean lines (DIAT7 and DIAT15) compared to their non-GM parental line (Williams 82) and three reference cultivars (Kwangan, U13625, and U14511). Soybeans were cultivated under identical field conditions, and proximate components, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antinutritional factors were analyzed using standard methods. Although several analytes exhibited statistically significant differences (p<0.05), all compositional values for DIAT7 and DIAT15 were within the natural variation ranges of the reference cultivated with GM, OECD (2012), and the AFSI Crop Composition Database (v10.1). The GM lines showed protein (36-37%), lipid (19-21%), and total dietary fiber (24-27%) contents similar to those of the reference cultivars. Amino acid profiles were dominated by glutamic acid and aspartic acid, whereas linoleic acid (42-51%) and oleic acid (29-36%) were the major fatty acids, consistent with conventional soybeans. The levels of minerals and antinutrients, including raffinose, stachyose, and phytic acid, were also comparable to the reference ranges. These findings demonstrate that the drought-tolerant GM soybeans DIAT7 and DIAT15 are compositionally and nutritionally equivalent to non-GM soybeans, supporting their substantial equivalence and providing a scientific basis for food and environmental safety evaluation.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) is a rich natural source of vitexin and isovitexin—flavonoids known for their potential anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate, through the use of RAW 264.7 macrophages, the anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from mung bean seeds containing vitexin and isovitexin. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify the levels of these compounds in various mung bean cultivars: “Jinhwang,” “Samhwang,” “Seonhwa,” and “Jangan,” as well as “Dahyeon,” and “Sanpo,” two of the most widely cultivated varieties in Korea. Cytotoxicity assays revealed no significant toxicity at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL, allowing further analysis at these levels. In nitric oxide (NO) inhibition assays, “Samhwang” (10.61 µM) and “Seonhwa” (9.7 µM) demonstrated the highest NO-suppressing activity at 50 µg/mL. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were significantly reduced by “Seonhwa” (83.6 pg/mL) and “Jangan” (72.3 pg/mL), with “Jangan” showing the strongest inhibitory effect. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) analysis revealed notable suppression in “Samhwang,” “Seonhwa,” and “Jangan” at 50 µg/mL, with “Samhwang” exhibiting the most potent effect (78.6 pg/mL). These findings suggest that the “Samhwang” cultivar, in particular, possesses significant anti-inflammatory potential and may serve as a valuable candidate for the development of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Plant-based production of recombinant proteins has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to microbial fermentation and mammalian cell culture systems. Chloroplasts harbor high plasmid copy numbers and can be stably transformed, making them efficient platforms for protein production. In the present study, we used green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter to compare the three major chloroplast promoters (rrn, psbA, and rbcL) involved in protein production in Nicotiana tabacum cv. “Petit Havana.” Three chloroplast transformation vectors were constructed, each regulated by a different promoter, and the transformation was performed via biolistic particle bombardment. Transformants were selected based on spectinomycin resistance and were confirmed by PCR. Among the three promoters, psbA showed the highest transformation efficiency and protein expression levels. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA levels (relative to Actin) for psbA (218.21±19.64) were nearly twice that of rbcL (126.60±8.78), and five times that of rrn (43.27±1.57). This transcriptional hierarchy was also observed at protein level. Immunoblotting showed the GFP levels (relative to psbA) were: psbA (1.00), rbcL (0.87), and rrn (0.77), whereas quantification through ELISA revealed relative GFP concentrations of: 616.2±28.7 ng/g LFW for psbA, 510.3±32.4 ng/g LFW for rbcL, and 338.9±100.2 ng/g ng/g LFW for rrn. These quantitative results demonstrate the importance of promoter selection for efficient expression of recombinant proteins in chloroplasts and show that the psbA promoter is suitable for high-efficiency chloroplast expression systems, providing a foundation for advancing plant-based molecular farming.

Climate change caused by global warming, is predicted to have severe consequences for ecosystems and economic sectors. In the agricultural industry, it is predicted that there will be decreased crop yields resulting from shifting planting seasons, as well as higher temperature and water stress which significantly reduce crop productivity. Kimchi cabbage, a cold-loving plant, is particularly vulnerable to high-temperature stress which can lead to stunted growth, increased susceptibility to pests like soft rot, reduced yield, and lower quality that will negatively impact the Kimchi cabbage market. Kimchi cabbage can be cultivated in highland regions with low summer temperatures and reduced pest occurrence, but rising temperatures and water stress are expected to increase pest pressure, resulting in a rapid decrease in the potential cultivation area of Kimchi cabbage. Currently, research is being conducted around the world to identify physiological mechanisms of heat tolerance at the molecular level, selection of heat-tolerant material, and studies on cellular responses of plants under high-temperature conditions. Despite numerous studies on physiological and biochemical responses of Brassica crops to high temperatures, there is a need to develop heat-tolerant Kimchi cabbage cultivars that can adapt to rapidly changing climates, new strategies for pest control under high-temperature conditions, and mitigation measures to ensure stable cultivation and production.

To diversify the grain quality characteristics of Korean varieties of japonica rice (Oryza sativa japonica), recombinant inbred lines were developed from a cross between the Korean cultivar “Boramchan” and the tropical japonica cultivar “Pecos” from the United States. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed to investigate the traits related to grain quality. Sixteen traits were evaluated, including five related to grain appearance, six associated with pasting properties and glossiness of cooked rice, and four related to eating texture. QTLs were detected on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 10, and candidate genes, including Hd1, qLTG3-1, GW5, and qGS10 were identified. The heading date-related gene Hd1 was associated with the following traits: head rice (HR), opaque rice (OR), damaged rice, pasting temperature, peak viscosity (PV), breakdown viscosity (BD), and glossiness. Most quality-related traits were influenced by allelic variation at Hd1, and the Hd1⁺ allele from “Boramchan”, which delays heading, positively affected both grain appearance and eating quality. The low-temperature germinability gene qLTG3-1 was identified as a candidate gene for broken rice and several pasting properties, including trough, final, and breakdown viscosities, and was shown to influence pasting characteristics depending on allelic variation. The grain shape gene GW5 was a candidate gene for HR and whiteness, whereas qGS10 was associated with OR, PV, BD, and setback viscosity. The GW5⁺ and qGS10^P alleles, derived from the slender grain shape of “Pecos,” contributed positively to both grain appearance and eating quality, indicating their potential as favorable alleles for improving grain shape and diversifying quality traits in Korean japonica rice. The results of this study demonstrate that key agronomic trait-related genes, such as heading and grain shape, significantly affect various quality-related traits, highlighting the potential of introducing and combining novel alleles to enhance grain quality in Korean japonica rice.

Developing a unique local variety that adapts well to the regional environment and consistently expresses its own characteristics provides a significant competitive advantage in the branded rice market. The aim of this study was to develop a Mid-Late Maturing Rice Cultivar with High Grain Quality adapted to the Chungnam Plain. ‘Daebang’ was developed by crossing ‘Haedamssal,’ a stable and high-yielding cultivar, with ‘Jinsumi,’ known for excellent grain appearance and eating quality, during the winter of 2013-2014. The F₁ was grown in summer 2014 to produce F₂ seeds, and promising lines were selected via the pedigree method. Under normal transplanting, ‘Daebang’ headed on August 19, about four days later than ‘Samkwang. ’ It had a culm length of 75 cm (9 cm shorter than ‘Samkwang’), indicating better lodging resistance. It had 84 spikelets per panicle, a 1,000-grain weight of 21.9 g, and a milled rice yield of 6.06 MT ha^-1, which was numerically higher but not significantly different from that of ‘Samkwang.’ The head rice ratio was 95.9%, with a protein content of 5.4%, and glossiness value 78.5, indicating a superior grain quality. ‘Daebang’ also showed similar resistance to blast and bacterial leaf blight as ‘Samkwang.’ Therefore, ‘Daebang’ is expected to serve as a promising mid-late maturing cultivar for producing premium-branded rice in the Chungnam region because of its high grain quality, lodging tolerance, and stable yield (Registration No. 9169).

‘Sinbaram’ is a new cultivar developed for soy sprout production at the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS). It was developed using the line breeding method in 2010 by artificially crossing ‘Pungsannamulkong’(IT263156) with the ‘HS1371-49-2-2’ line in 2010. F₁ plants and the F₂ population were developed in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and a promising line was selected using F₃ to F₅ in the pedigree method. It was evaluated for agronomic traits, yield, and soy sprout characteristics in a preliminary (PYT) and an advanced (AYT) yield trial in 2016 and 2017, respectively. ‘Sinbaram’ has purple flowers, a lanceolate leaflet shape, grey pubescence, and small yellow seeds (10.2 g/100 seeds). The flowering and maturing dates were August 4 and October 9, which were 2 and 5 days earlier than ‘Pungsannamulkong.’ Plant height, first pod height, number of nods, number of branches, and number of pods were 46 cm, 10 cm, 14, 3.5, and 82, respectively. The germination rate and sprout characteristics were similar to those of ‘Pungsannamulkong’, and the yield was 83% higher in the sprout test. In the yield test, the yield was 3.58 tons/ha in the 2-year yield trial, which was 1% higher than that of ‘Pungsangnamulkong,’ and 2.71 tons/ha in the 3-year regional yield trial, 8% lower than that of ‘Pungsannamulkong’, with an average of 2.71 tons/ha in the four regions. In addition, the overall score of 6.7 in the processor survey was higher than 6.0 for ‘Pungsannamulkong.’ Therefore, the ‘Sinbaram’ cultivar is expected to be preferred because it has good sprout characteristics. (Registration number: 9460)

Most paprika farmers in Korea have grown bell-type paprika, mostly for export to Japan. However, continued long-term yen depreciation has worsened the export profitability of paprika, increasing domestic sales and decreasing farmers’ income. Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services developed ‘New Daon Red’ as a new mini paprika to replace some bell-type paprika cultivation to cope with the change. The maternal line, Trirosso, has deep orange conical fruits with good fruit set, while the paternal line, SBR970, exhibits red fruits and stable fruiting with strong vegetative growth. F₁ ‘New Daon Red’ was selected as an excellent cultivar for fresh consumption in 2018 from the on-site test that lasted 2 years starting in 2017. This cultivar showed similar plant height to the control ‘Raon Red’ but had larger leaves. The fruit weighed 71 g, 8% heavier than that of the control, with a longer and narrower shape. Fruits of ‘New Daon red’ had a sweetness level of 9 °Brix and were soft. The occurrence rates of blossom-end rot and skin cracking were 1.4% and 2.4%, respectively, in ‘New Daon Red,’ while they were 0.2% and 0.8% in ‘Raon Red.’ However, ‘New Daon Red’ had a 26% higher yield per land unit due to its better fruit set than the control cultivar. Therefore, it is expected that the high productivity of this cultivar, along with good fruit quality, could contribute to increasing farmers’ income (Registration No. 9684).

Soybean is one of the most important crops because of its high protein and oil content. Previous studies have refined protoplast isolation methods for soybeans to enhance transfection efficiency. However, these methods have limitations due to the inconsistent number of viable protoplasts for various applications. In this study, we propose an optimized protoplast isolation method to overcome this challenge. Hypocotyls grown in the dark were selected to ensure rapid growth and a steady supply of plant materials. The hypocotyls were cut to 1–2 cm in length and halved longitudinally to achieve consistent protoplast yields. Our new hypocotyl cutting method demonstrated 1.5 times improved protoplast yield and improved protoplast viability compared to that of previous methods. The isolated protoplasts were purified using the sucrose density gradient purification method to remove residues while stacking viable protoplasts. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining was performed to determine the proportion of healthy protoplasts throughout the process. Consequently, we propose a new protoplast isolation protocol that ensures a higher yield, better viability, and healthier conditions. This enhancement is expected to improve the efficiency of soybean transfection.

Wheat, in conjunction with rice and maize, constitutes one of the three most significant staple crops worldwide, sustaining over 40% of the global population. In Korea, the annual per capita wheat consumption exceeds 30 kg, totaling approximately 4 million tons nationwide. However, more than 95% of this demand is met through imports, resulting in a meager self-sufficiency rate of approximately 0.7%, raising concerns regarding supply stability and price fluctuations. Enhancing wheat self-sufficiency in Korea requires addressing yield reductions caused by abiotic stressors, including elevated temperatures, drought, cold damage and pre-harvest sprouting induced by climate change, as well as biotic stressors such as Fusarium head blight. The development of high-quality wheat varieties with superior processing characteristics that satisfy consumer demands is crucial. This study provides critical insights for future research on the development of novel wheat cultivars in Korea. It reviews the current state of wheat cultivation and production, environmental and biological factors affecting growth, compositional elements influencing quality, domestic cultivars developed through conventional crossbreeding currently in commercial distribution, and contemporary breeding trends, with particular emphasis on novel breeding technologies, such as biotechnology.

‘Amissal’ is a regionally specialized rice cultivar developed to strengthen the competitiveness of local rice and is characterized by its distinct long-grain japonica type. It was bred through a single backcross between ‘Boramchan’—a high-yielding japonica cultivar with excellent cultivation stability used as the recurrent parent—and ‘HR30198-AC33’ (DGS79), a breeding stock with extra-long and spindle-shaped grains used as the donor parent for japonica grain shape diversification. Population and pedigree breeding methods were used during the breeding process. During the selection stage, molecular marker-assisted selection targeting the major grain shape genes, GS3 and qSW5 was applied, enabling the identification of lines carrying the gs3-qSW5 allele combination associated with long grain shape. ‘Amissal’ was developed through yield trials, local adaptability tests, selection trials addressing regional needs, and on-farm research aimed at developing long-grain japonica rice for export. The heading date of ‘Amissal’ was August 17, two days later than that of ‘Nampyeong’. Compared to ‘Nampyeong’, ‘Amissal’ exhibited greater biomass due to longer culms, more spikelets per panicle but fewer panicles per hill, and a heavier 1,000-grain weight. It demonstrated strong resistance to bacterial blight (races K1, K2, and K3) but was susceptible to viral diseases and insect pests. In terms of yield, it outperformed ‘Nampyeong’. The average brown rice grain length was 6.14 mm, classifying it as long-grain type. The length-to-width ratio was 2.43, corresponding to a semi-spindle shape, which clearly distinguishes it from existing Korean japonica cultivars. While its milling recovery rate was similar to that of ‘Nampyeong’, a high proportion of broken rice due to its long grain shape resulted in a lower head rice. ‘Amissal’ had low protein content and provided the sticky and soft texture typical of japonica rice, with excellent scores in sensory evaluation tests. As a differentiated, regionally specialized rice cultivar featuring a long-grain japonica type and superior eating quality, ‘Amissal’ is expected to contribute to the advancement of the local rice industry, particularly through applications in rice export and the utilization of broken rice and rice straw (Registration No. 10167).

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.