To establish cultivation areas for the stable production of yacon, this study investigated the productivity and functional component contents of yacon in eight regions of Korea from 2011 to 2013. The results of principal component analysis using these data were as follows. A survey of 16 agricultural traits and meteorological data in the eight yacon cultivation areas showed that five factors (average temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, frost-free days, and fructooligosaccharide content) were highly significant at the p < 0.001 level. Among the 16 agricultural traits and meteorological data used in the main component analysis of yacon cultivation areas, approximately eight contributed to the first principal component, and approximately four contributed to each of the second and third principal components. In particular, factors related to productivity, fructooligosaccharide content, and temperature change were considered important criteria for the classification of cultivation areas. The cultivation areas were divided into three groups by principal component analysis. In Group I, containing the Jinbu and Bonghwa areas in the mid-highland region at 500–560 m above sea level, the product yield was the highest at 2,622–3,196 kg/10a, the fructooligosaccharide content was also the highest at 9.04–9.62%, and the mean temperature was 17.3–18.5℃. In Group II, the areas Suncheon, Okcheon, Yeoju, and Gangneung, at 20–180 m above sea level, had the lowest yield, relatively lower fructooligosaccharide content, and the highest temperature. The areas in Group III showed values intermediate between those of Group I and Group II. For the different yacon cultivation areas, the product quantity and fructooligosaccharide content differed according to the environmental temperature, and the temperature conditions and number of frost-free days are considered important indicators for cultivation sites. Therefore, in terms of producing yacon with high quality, cultivation at 500–560 m is considered to give a higher yield and functional fructooligosaccharide content.

Potato greening determines the shelf life and affects the marketability of this tuber. Various stresses during handling and storage interact to affect the tuber’s physiological status and can affect the rate of greening. This study investigated the effects of storage temperature on tuber greening and shelf life in unwashed and washed potatoes of the cultivar Superior. Physiological and biochemical changes were examined during 15 days at room temperature (23±2°C) under cool-white fluorescent light after storage for 1 month at different temperatures (4°C, 20°C). Hunter a values were negative (-) for washed potatoes after 3 days (-0.8) and 15 days (-2.5) at room temperature following 1 month of storage at 4°C while positive (+) values were observed for unwashed potatoes after 15 days at room temperature. The Hunter ΔE values of washed potatoes previously stored at 4°C for 1 month increased after 3 days at room temperature compared with those of unwashed potatoes. The total chlorophyll content of washed potatoes was higher than that of unwashed potatoes. The highest correlation was observed between the Hunter ΔE value and Hunter a value (-0.93506), while a positive correlation coefficient (0.89806) was observed between greening criteria and Hunter ΔE value by using colorimetry. We conclude, therefore, that there is a biosynthetic link between temperature-induced chlorophyll accumulation and tuber greening in storage.

A new Gentiana spp. cultivar “Skyblueball” was bred by crossing between “Jinbu-65 line” with violet blue (VB 95B) colored petals as female and “Jinbu-1 line” with violet blue (VB 93B) petals as male in 2000 year. The superior line of 00-168-3 was selected in Daegwallyeong from 2001 to 2003 year, and its growth and flower characterization were conducted from 2004 to 2007 year in field of Daegwallyeong and Jinbu, Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, Namwon, Jeollabuk-do and Jeju Special Self-Governing-do. The flower showed violet blue (VB 96C) color at opening, the petal of flower had not spot and flower stem color was purple. The flowers were bloomed at the same time from bottom to upside (Table 1). Plant height was 62.9 ㎝ , number of flower stem per plant is 8.3, number of flower node per stem was 5.3, and number of flower per stem was 21.7 (Table 2). The flowering of ‘Skyblueball’ was bloomed from July 26 in Daegwallyeong, August 3 in Jinbu and Namwon, and June 28 in Jeju Special Self-Governing-do. ‘Skyblueball’ cultivar can be used for cut flower.

A new Gomchwi cultivar ‘Gommany’ was bred by crossing between Gomchwi (Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb.) Turcz.) and Handaeri-gomchwi (Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis Nakai). The selection and investigation of growth and yield characteristics were conducted from 2006 to 2011 in field and greenhouse of Highland Agriculture Research Institute, NICS, Rural Development Administration. The color of petiole ear was purple. Petiole trichome existed, but light of leaf back did not. Density of leaf vein was 5 degree in a newly developed cultivar ‘Gommany’. Plant height, leaf length, leaf width and petiole length were 47.7, 16.3, 21.2, and 31.4 ㎝, respectively in the 3 year of growth characteristics. Plant size was also higher than that of ‘Gondalbi’. Bolting and flowering time were Aug. 5 and Sept. 10, respectively. In contrast, Bolting time of ‘Gondalbi’ showed 25 days quite earlier bolting time compared to ‘Gommany’, Which led to earlier flowering time. ‘Gommany’ showed higher number of leaves (138) per plant compared to ‘Gondalbi’ (130). Furthermore, yield was 97% higher in ‘Gommany’ (1,575 g/plant) than in ‘Gondalbi’ (798 g/plant). ‘Gommany’ showed higher leaf thickness (0.69㎜) than ‘Gonalbi’ (0.46 ㎜), and consequently showed more hardness in leaf characteristics (24.3 ㎏/㎠) compared to ‘Gondalbi’ (23.0㎏/㎠). ‘Gommany’ showed higher resistance in the susceptibility of powdery mildew compared to ‘Gondalbi’. ‘Gommany’ cultivar was registered as a novel variety with number 90 in The Minister of the Korea Forest Service on December 2015.

There has been little research on the harvesting time-dependent changes in the antioxidant activities of new varieties of highland cultures of Gomchwi (Ligularia fischeri) crossed with Turcs (Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb.)) and Nakai (Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis), namely Sammany (S), Gommany (G) and Damogy (D). This study was conducted to assess the effect of different harvesting times on nutritional and health-related properties such as total phenolic contents, flavonoids, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrasyl) free radical scavenging activities and reducing power. From these harvests, extracts were prepared using methanol. Total phenolic content in Jul 14-G (Gommany harvested on July 14, 0.172 ㎎·GAE/㎖) was higher than that in other products harvested after the same period (S, 0.154; D, 0.141 ㎎·GAE/㎖). Flavonoid content was higher in Jul 3-G (0.114 ㎎·QE/㎖), compared to Jul 3-S (0.113 ㎎·QE/㎖) and Jul 14-D (0.089 ㎎·QE/㎖). Antioxidant activities were higher in samples harvested after June 12 in all cases. On July 14, the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activities among all harvest dates were seen (92.875~94.595%). The reducing power was also dependent on harvest day (Abs 0.5~0.6 on July 14), showing a pattern similar to that of DPPH free radical-scavenging activities. Antioxidant activity and harvesting times seem to correlate with total polyphenol and flavonoid contents.

방글이' 품종은 2000년에 교잡계통중 노란색인 97-38계통을 모본으로, 역시 노란색인 97-110계통을 부본으로 교배하여 선발된 00-26-1 개체를 2003년부터 2008년까지 증식 및 양구를 하면서 생육 및 개화특성을 검정하여 품종출원 하였으며 최종적으로 화색 및 초형이 우수하여 '방글이'라는 품종으로 품종보호권이 등록되었다. '방글이'는 꽃봉오리에 솜털이 없으며 화색이 노란색인데 중심부에 진노란색 (YO17A)에서 밖으로 점점 연한 노란색 (Y

A new Asiatic lily cultivar “Fantasia” was derived from a cross between “Gran-paradiso” and line “No. 96-13” made in 1997. The cultivar was selected mainly for cut flower. “Gran-paradiso” is a orange red cultivar, while “No. 96-13” is a red-purple colored hybrid line. The selection and the survey for the flower characteristics were conducted from 1998 to 2005 in vinyl tunnels and greenhouses of National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering date of “Fantasia” is July 22. The flower has no fragrance and its medium sized flower is 13.4 cm in width. The orange (O28A) colored petals have no spots. The bulb weight of “Fantasia” is about 68 g and its bulb size is about 18.6 cm in circumference.

A new Asiatic lily cultivar “Dajeong” was derived from a cross between “Prato” and “Positano” made in 1997. The cultivar was selected mainly for cut flower. Both “Prato” and “Positano” are well known for their flower color of orange red and yellow, respectively. The selection and the survey for the flower characteristics were conducted from 1998 to 2005 in vinyl tunnels and greenhouses of National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering date of “Dajeong” is July 23. The flower has no fragrance and its medium sized flower is 12.0 cm in width. The medium orange and yellow (ON25 + YO23B) colored petals have no spot. The bulb weight of “Dajeong” is about 55.4 g and its bulb size is about 16.4 cm in circumference.

“Miso”, A new Asiatic lily cultivar was derived from a cross between “Kinks” and a line “A61” made in 1997. Both “Kinks” and “A61” are yellow flower cultivars, while “A61” is a hybrid line. The cultivar was selected mainly for cut flower. The selection and the survey for the flower characteristics were conducted from 1998 to 2005 in vinyl tunnels and greenhouses of National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering date of “Miso” is July 26. The flower has no fragrance and its medium sized flower is 13.7 cm in width. The yellow (Y9A) petal have no spot. The bulb weight of “Miso” is about 42 g and its bulb size is about 15 cm in circumference.

“Greenstar”, a new Saxifraga cultivar was bred by crossing between “Geumgongjak” with green (YG145C) petals and “Rokseon” with red purple (RP62A) petals in 2003. The selection and flower characterization were conducted from 2003 to 2006 in greenhouses of the National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering of “Greenstar” starts on September 17 for 36 days and the number of flowers per plant was about 290. The flower color is a green (G142C) and the number of petals was 5. Flower width is 2.1 cm and flower length is 1.9 cm. “Greenstar” can be used for pot flower. Fifty percent shading is a good cultural practice against direct sunlight and soft rot disease would occur usually by over-irrigation.

A new Saxifraga cultivar “Snowmaple” was bred by crossing between “Jeokhoamugab” with red purple (RP68B) petals and “Hongsaja” with red purple (RPN66A) petals. The selection and flower characterization were conducted from 2004 to 2006 in greenhouse of the National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering of “Snowmaple” starts on October 9 for 16 days, The number of flowers per plant was 315 with strong concurrent flowering habit. The flower shows red purple (RP62C) at opening, but It turns gradually changable from red purple to white. The flower has 5 petals, and the size is 2.0 cm in width and 2.3 cm in length. “Snowmaple” can be used for pot flower. Fifty percent shading is a good cultural practice against direct sunlight and soft rot disease would occurs usually by over-irrigation.