In this study, we constructed a reference transcriptome database for the special crops Codonopsis lanceolata (known as “deodeok” in Korean) and Ixeridium dentata (known as “sseumbagwi” in Korean). The reference transcriptome sequence based on PacBio Iso-Seq technology was rapidly analyzed using various programs on a supercomputer at the Rural Development Administration to determine homologous gene searches, domain searches, and metabolic pathway-related information. Transcriptome information was organized into a single file database (DB) with a simple user interface using Microsoft Access, enabling efficient access and management of transcriptome sequences and functional prediction information. The deodeok reference transcriptome DB included 49,677 transcriptome sequences, whereas the sseumbagwi reference transcriptome DB included 73,757 transcriptome sequences. These reference transcriptome DBs can be utilized for various genomic analyses, such as gene discovery, gene expression analysis, inter-and intraspecies comparisons, and marker development, with particular potential for use in secondary metabolite research. The reference transcriptome DBs constructed in this study are expected to contribute to enhancing the agricultural value and industrial applicability of deodeok and sseumbagwi.

‘Keunpum’ is a mid-late maturing, high yielding, giant embryo rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar which is adapted to central plains and was developed to be used as (germinated) brown rice. It is resistant to multiple diseases with a good grain quality. This cultivar was derived by crossing a giant embryo rice variety ‘Keunnun’ and a mid-late maturing, multi-disease resistant rice cultivar ‘Samkwang’-it has good palatability of cooked rice. The growth period of this cultivar is approximately 117 d from seeding to heading, with a culm length of 88 ㎝, panicle length of 20 ㎝, 13 panicles per hill, 136 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000-grain weight of 19.1 g brown rice. This variety has low tolerance to cold stress and premature germination similar to ‘Keunnun’ but exhibits high resistance to lodging. In addition, ‘Keunpum’ is resistant to bacterial blight (race K1, K2, K3), rice stripe virus, and is moderately resistant to leaf and neck blast. Its average milled rice yield for three years reached 5.34 MT/ha, which is 10% higher than that of ‘Keunnun’. In the brown and germinated brown rice of this cultivar, the total dietary fiber content are 6.45% and 6.71%, and the GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) content are 6.61 and 39.47 mg/100 g, respectively. In addition, the total contents of polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin were higher in ‘Keunpum’ brown rice than in ‘Keunnun’. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 75.23, 116.08 mg TE/100g, respectively. These functional components and antioxidant activities play an important role in inhibiting diseases and the aging process of the human body. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a basic data in the manufacture of secondary processed products using germinated brown rice (Grant No. 7684).

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.

Nunkeunheugchal (registration No. 01-0001-2014-4), a black waxy giant embryo rice cultivar, was developed by the rice breeding team of National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA in 2012. This cultivar was derived from the cross between ge^t and Josaengheugchal in 2004/2005 winter season, and selected by a promising line, YR25277-B-B-314-2, was selected and designated as the line of Milyang263 in 2009. The local adaptability test of Milyang263 was carried out at four locations from 2010 to 2012 and it was named as Nunkeunheugchal. This variety is a early maturity cultivar. It has 65 cm in culm length and 72 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000 grain-weight of brown rice is 17.8 g which is less than that of Josaengheugchal. This variety is resistant to leaf blast, but susceptible to bacterial blight, neck blast, virus disease and insect pest. The yield potential of Nunkeunheugchal was about 3.54 MT/ha as brown rice at ordinary fertilizer level in local adaptability test for three years. Nunkeunheugchal possesses benefits to rice consumers because of high amounts of GABA, anthocyanin, calcium and iron. This variety would be adaptable to the paddy field of middle and southern plain region of Korea.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a stress hormone that functions in abiotic stress adaptation in plants. Thus many efforts have been made to identify the molecular mechanisms of ABA signal transduction pathways. Recently there were big advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of ABA dependent expression. From the ABA receptors to the transcription factors, signaling components were discovered and the biological networks among the components were identified. In this review, we describe the ABA signaling components and the rice orthologues identified. These show that signaling network systems of ABA are highly conserved in dicot and monocot plants and we are able to manipulate the ABA signaling components to develop the abiotic stress tolerant crops.