Here, we report on the development of a high-quality, bicolor waxy corn, ‘Mihyeonchal’, containing anthocyanin. ‘Mihyeonchal’ was produced by crossing the two inbred lines, HW18 as the seed parent and HW19 as the pollen parent. The hybrid was made in 2016 and has been evaluated for three years in Hongcheon, Yeoncheon, Cheongju, Daegu, Jinju, and Suwon in Korea since 2017. The days to silking of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was 72 days, which was three days earlier than that of the standard variety, ‘Ilmichal’. The number and weight of fresh ears of ‘Mihyeonchal’ were 112% and 96%, respectively, compared to those of ‘Ilmichal’, and the anthocyanin content was 76.8 mg/kg, which was higher than that of ‘Ilmichal’. The lodging index was 1.9, which was weaker than that of ‘Ilmichal’, but its resistance to insects and diseases was stronger than that of ‘Ilmichal’, confirming the cultivation stability of ‘Mihyeonchal’. As a result of regional yield trials that had been conducted for three years, we confirmed that ‘Mihyeonchal’ could be cultivated in all regions in Korea and was an excellence variety. The plant variety protection right of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was registered in April 2024, and its grant number is 10127.
We report the development of a high quality red waxy corn ‘Mihongchal’, containing anthocyanin. Mihongchal was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HW9’ as seed parent and ‘HCW5’ as pollen parent. The hybrid was created in 2016 and evaluated in Hongcheon, Pyungchang, and Yeongwol for 3 years. Mihongchal days to silking was 72 days and the other agronomic characteristics were similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Mihongchal yield was slightly lower than ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Fresh ears number and weight were 93 and 91% compared to ‘Mibaek 2ho’, respectively but anthocyanin content was 1,160 mg/kg, which is higher than ‘Mibake 2ho’. Resistance to insects, diseases, and lodging was similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Due to the analysis, it was recognized as functional waxy corn with high quality characteristics and anthocyanin content. Since regional yield tests was performed in only Gangwon State, it is recommended only in that region for cultivation. Mihongchal is a resource with excellent taste and functionality that can increase the value of waxy corn. The chosen variety was termed ‘Mihongchal’, its plant variety protection right was registered in February 2023 (Registration No. 9354).