Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and fertility restoration have been utilized as valuable tools for F_1-hybrid seed production in many crops despite laborious breeding processes. Molecular markers for the selection of CMS-related genes help reduce the expenses and breeding times. A previously reported genomic region containing the Ppr-B gene, which is responsible for restoration of fertility and corresponds to the Rfo locus, was used to develop gene-based or so-called "functional" markers for allelic selection of the restorer-of-fertility gene (Rfo) in F_1-hybrid breeding of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Polymorphic sequences among Rfo alleles of diverse breeding lines of radish were examined by sequencing the Ppr-B alleles. However, presence of Ppr-B homolog, designated as Ppr-D, interferes on specific PCR amplification of Ppr-B in certain breeding lines. The organization of Ppr-D, resolved by genome walking, revealed extended homology with Ppr-B even in the promoter region. Interestingly, PCR amplification of Ppr-D was repeatedly unsuccessful in certain breeding lines implying the lack of Ppr-D in these radishes. Ppr-B could only be successfully amplified for analysis through designing primers based on the sequences unique to Ppr-B that exclude interference from Ppr-D gene. Four variants of Rfo alleles were identified from 20 breeding lines. A combination of three molecular markers was developed in order to genotype the Rfo locus based on polymorphisms among four different variants. These markers will be useful in facilitating F_1-hybrid cultivar development in radish.

A new vegetable soybean variety, “Danmiput” was selected from the cross Keunol/Wasehakucho (Introduced), and developed in 2002 on the basis of its yield performance and seed quality for vegetable soybean at the National Yeongnam Agricultural Station. “Dan

Gelatinization characteristics of 111 glutinous rice varieties were evaluated by Rapid Visco Analyzer. Gelatinization viscosity of glutinous rice tested varied with ecotypes or varietal groups: indica, japonica, and Tongil type. Indica rice showed the highest average value of initial pasting temperature. The average values for peak, hot, and cool viscosities were highest in Tongil-type rice, and lowest in japonica rice. Japonica showed the lowest breakdown and consistency, but the highest setback value. Indica was lower in alkali digestion value (ADV), and shorter in gel length after gelatinization thanjaponica and Tongil-type. Glutinous rices tested could be divided into six groups by cluster analysis based on their gelatinization characteristics. Group I-A was mostly early maturing japonica varieties while I-B was mostly indica and Tongil-type rices. Groups II-A and II-B were consisted of very early maturingjaponica, and III-A and III-B included medium or medium late maturingjaponica varieties. Group III-A showed the lowest average values of peak, hot, cool, and consistency viscosities, and also in breakdown and setback ratios. Group I-B revealed the highest values in peak, hot, cool, breakdown, and consistency viscosities. ADV was low in groups I-A, I-B, and II-B, and gel consistency was not different among the six varietal groups. Principal component analysis using seven traits related with gelatinization produced four effective components, and the first and second components were highly correlated with all the gelatinization characters evaluated