Codonopsis lanceolata is a perennial climber. The roots are used as medicinal materials or vegetables. Recently, demand for C. lanceolata is increasing as a healthy food. C. lanceolata is distributed in India and East Asia such as China, Japan as well as Korea. In South Korea, this plant is widely cultivated in Gangwon-do province. No C. lanceolata varieties were developed in Korea. The objective of this study is to analyze genetic diversity of C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea using SSR makers. C. lanceolata roots were collected in each region were cultivated in Chungbuk National University greenhouse. Samples were obtained from fresh leaves of 5 plants from each collection region. The genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB. Genetic diversity was analysed using 4 sets of C. lanceolata SSR makers. PCR was performed in total 20 μL reaction volume containing 20 ng of DNA template, 5 pmole of primers. The genotypes of the analyzed samples were very similar. That means that the genetic diversity of C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea is very low.

"Chugang" as a new double cropping potato variety for table use was bred in 2003 from a cross between H83005-2 with short dormancy and "Superior" with common scab resistance. It had been evaluated for short dormancy, growth adaptability and tuber characteristics every twice a year from 1990 to 1999. Regional yield trials had been performed from 2000 to 2002 at three locations, Jeju, Namhae and Gangneung of Korea, respectively. It has round oblong tuber shape with yellow skin and white flesh color. Its tuber dormant periods is approximately 50~60 days. It showed less physiological disorders such as cracking or knobs, and more tolerant to environmental stresses such as plant death by flooding and damages by frost or severe wind compared to "Dejima". Average yields of "Chugang" are 34.6 and 31.1 ton/ha at 90 days after planting in spring and autumn cropping, respectively. It is more resistant to common scab and less susceptible to late blight (phythophthora infestans) compared to "Dejima". However, it is susceptible to potato virus Y (PVY) and andean mosaic virus (AMV).

Lately, the autumn cropping areas of potato have been steadily increased to supply fresh potatoes all year round in Korea. Although "Dejima" is a main cultivar for autumn cropping, it is very susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and show high frequency of physiological disorders such as knobs and cracking on tubers. "Chudong" was bred in 2002 for fresh table use from a cross between H83520-3 with short tuber dormancy and "Superior" with common scab resistance. It has attractive, round tuber shape with white skin and flesh colors. Its tuber dormant periods is 5 days longer than 65 days of "Dejima". Its average yields were 32.4 and 21.8 ton/ha at 90 days after planting in spring and autumn cropping of regional yield trials, respectively. It is more resistant to common scab and potato leaf roll virus and less susceptible to late blight (Phythophthora infestans) compared to "Dejima". However, it is susceptible to potato virus Y.

“Bora” is a new perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) cultivar developed from a cross between Ipdeulkkae1 and YCPL199 at National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station, RDA, in 2001. Purple backside leaf color is one of the most important characteristics for the high quality perilla leaf. “Bora” has purple backside leaf color in all climate condition, while a check variety, Ipdeulkkae1 has too light color during summer season or in high temperature condition. “Bora” matures at October 18th and has 79 cm of the stem length, shorter than that of Ipdeulkkae1. Although leaf yield is 11% less than that of a check variety Ipdeulkkae1, the harvested leaf number of “Bora” is similar with that of Ipdeulkkae1. The cultivar is appropriable in all area of Korea for the leaf harvesting cultivation whereas it is restricted to southern part of Korea South Gyeongsang and South Jeola provinces, for the seed harvesting cultivation.