Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a highly adaptive, short-duration crop that is grown in Korea for food, feed, and fodder. ‘Yeonheechal’ is a variety of proso millet that was developed in 2013. This variety is a cross between Hwanggeumgijang (K263691) and IT297382. In terms of its phenotype, ‘Yeonheechal’ is erect and possesses drooping panicles. Regarding its growth-related outcomes, ‘Yeonheechal’ was found to have a growth period of 90 days. The culm and panicle lengths of this variety were 144 and 33.6 cm, respectively. These structures were both shorter than those of ‘Leebaekchal.’ Additionally, the weight of 1,000 seeds was 5.3 and 4.5 g in terms of husked and dehusked grains, respectively. The husked and dehusked grains were white and yellow, respectively, consisting of a characteristically glutinous endosperm. The yield potential of ‘Yeonheechal’ was approximately 2.67-ton ha-1 in the regional yield trials conducted from 2017 to 2019. The hardness of this variety’s grain was 1,749 gf, making it softer than that of ‘Leebaekchal’ (i.e., 2,158 gf) (Registration number: 9104).

To satisfy the health needs of consumers and enhance the yields of producers, a grain crop ‘Cheongpungchal’ (Panicum miliaceum L.) with many common names, including proso millet, was collected from a landrace in Danyang, Chungbuk province and developed using a pure-line selection method. ‘Cheongpungchal’, which has a brown seed coat, has characteristics of a medium-maturing variety, requiring 102 days from sowing to harvesting. The variable growth characteristics included a stem length of 155 cm on average and length of ears 38.4 cm on average. As for the yield-related characteristics, the average number of spikes per plant was 3.8, the ear weight per plant was 11.8 g, and the rough millet thousand-grain weight averaged 5.17 g. The results of a regional adaptation test in 5 regions of Korea for three years revealed the yield of ‘Cheongpungcha’l to be 38% higher than that of the ‘Hwanggeumgijang’ variety, representing the best yield from among existing varieties. The total polyphenolic content of ‘Cheongpungchal’ was 32% higher than that of the ‘Hwanggeumgijang’ variety, and the antioxidant activity was 63% greater than that of ‘Hwanggeumgijang’. As a result of this research, ‘Cheongpungchal’ has been registered as a variety (grant number No. 6964) with the Korea Seed and Varieties Service in 2018 following filing for breed protection in 2016.

‘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).

‘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)

‘Ibaekchal’ is a proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) variety developed and registered by Department of Sothern Area Crop Science, NICS, RDA in 2011. This variety which collected from Jeju was developed through pure line selection. ‘Ibaekchal’ is a medium late maturing variety having 109 days of growth duration from transplanting to harvesting in Milyang of Korea. The culm length is about 140 cm which is longer culm length than standard variety ‘Hwanggeumgigang’. However it is adapted to mechanized cultivation because it is tolerant to lodging in field. The panicle shape is a severe droopy type and the length is 40 cm. According to the grain, color and endosperm characteristics are white and glutinous. The milled yield performance of this variety was about 2.29 MT/ha in local adaptability test from 2010 to 2011 and it showed 15% increase than standard variety ‘Hwanggeumgigang’. Since Ibaekchal has adaptability to late planting, it is suitable for double cropping in mid and South Korea.

‘Samdachal’ is a foxtail millet variety developed and registered by Department of Functional Crop, NICS, RDA in 2011. This variety was developed through pure line breeding method from Jeju landrace. ‘Samdachal’ is a medium maturing variety having 133 days of growth duration from transplanting to harvesting in Milyang of Korea. The culm length is about 128 cm which is longer culm length than standard variety ‘Hwanggeumejo’. However it is adapted to mechanized cultivation because it is tolerant to lodging in field. The panicle shape is a cylinder type and the length is 28cm. Regarding to the grain, color and endosperm characteristics are grey and glutinous. The Calcium, Magnesium and polyphenol contents in grain are showed higher than standard variety ‘Hwanggeumejo’. The milled yield performance of this variety is about 2.24 MT/ha in local adaptability test from 2010 to 2011. ‘Samdamchal’ would be adaptable to plain area of Korea.