Background : Amomum tsao-ko (Zingiberaceae) is widely distributed among several countries in Asia. It’s dried fruit is widely used in Korea for medical plant, China and Japan for the treatment of dyspepsia, eliminates, vomiting, abdominal pain, phlegm, warms the spleen, and malaria. In this study, we describe the structural determination of the new compounds and the inhibitory activities of isolated compounds against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Methods and Results : The fruits of A. tsao-ko were extracted with 80% EtOH two times at room temperature. The EtOH extract was suspended in distilled water and partitioned with solvent to give CH2Cl2, EtOAc and n-BuOH. The CH2Cl2 was suspended in n-hexane and partitioned with solvent to give 50%, 70% and 90% MeOH. The purification of each fraction by column chromatography separation and HPLC analysis. Consequently, one new benzaldehyde (1) and two new cycloterpenals (2 and 3) along with five known compounds (4 –8) have been isolated from the fruits of A. tsao-ko. The structure and relative stereochemistry were determined from HRMS, 1D and extensive 2D NMR techniques as well as by comparison of their data with the published values. Conclusion : These compounds were identified as Amotsaokonal A (1), Amotsaokonal B (2), Amotsaokonal C (3), methyl linolenate (4), trans-nerolidol (5), (2E)-dodecenyl acetate (6), (2E)-dodecenyl acetate (7), and pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (8). All isolates were tested for their inhibitory activities on LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells.

Background : Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker, Angelica gigas Nakai, Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz and Peucedanum japonicum Thumberg　are a major medicinal plant in north Geungbuk province. Using medicinal plants are impotant it`s ingredient. Dry condition and stroage method are not standard manual. The ingredient variation of dry condition and stroage method were not researched. Methods and Results : Using plant material were cutivated on Gyongsangbukdo Bonghwa area. It were studied ingredient variation after dry and storage condition by HPLC methods. Major ingredient of Angelica gigas Nakai are decurusin, decurusinangelate. Heated air bulk dry get more decursin than natuarl dry and decurusinangelate of natural bulk dry was higher than heated air bulk dry. Major ingredient of Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz are imperatorin and isoimperatorin.. Imperatorin of Ostericum koreanum was highest peak on 50℃ heated-air dry after plastic bag sorage and isoimperatorin was highest peak on 40℃ heated-air dry after mountain cultivation. Imperatorin is a major ingredient Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker. Heated air bulk dry get more decursin and decursinangelate than natuarl dry and small heated-air dry. Peucedanol-7o_glucoside is a major ingredient Peucedanum japonicum Thumberg. Natural bulk dry get more peucedanol-7o_glucoside than heated-air bulk dry. Conclusion : Ingredient of Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker, Angelica gigas Nakai, Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz are different under various cutivation, drying method, storage. Diffent Ingedients of Angelica gigas Nakai, Ostericum koreanum Maximowicz were not accord it’s optical conditon.

Background : The effective components of Omija(Schisandra chinensis Bailllon) are lignans (schizandrins and gomisins), and this components were contented mostly in seed part on Omija, which have various physiological functionalities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Methods and Results : This study was carried out to determine effective condition(CO2, CO2+ethanol) on extraction using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE) system and to find interrelation on effective components and antioxidant activity of extracts and residues obtained after extraction. Effective components were analysed lignans and phenolic compounds and antioxidant activirty was determined for DPPH radical scavenging ability on methanol extracts of SFE-extract and SFE-residue. On SFE with ethanol, SFE extract was separated two phase, upper(water phase) and lower(oil phase). SFE-extract showed the highest total lignans content(61.36 mg/g, 72.14 mg/g on lower, 50.58 mg/g on upper) and the lowest total phenolic compounds(6.52 mg/100g) and SFE-residue showed the lowest total lignans content(1.45 mg/g) and the highest total phenolic compounds(16.23 mg/100g) by extracted on CO2+ethanol treatment. SFE-residue methanol extract showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging abilities and SFE-extract upper showed the lowest. Conclusion : Thus, this results showed SFE-extract showed the highest total lignans content, but SFE-residue showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging ability although the lowest total lignans content.

Background : Ginseng berry(GB) is useful not only just in growing source but also in functional food source. The ingredients of crops varies with the maturity. So, GB ingredients need to be analyse for optimal harvesting stage of GB against appropriate use. Methods and Results : This study was carried out to determine optimal harvesting stage of GB. GB was harvested 5 day periods from July 12, started harvesting when pollination was 50 days old, until August 1. GB was analysed color, ginsenosides and fatty acids using colorimeter, LC and GC, respectively. As the majority of GB increase, color of freeeze drying GB powder were changed that lightness and yellowness was increased, redness was decreased. Ginsenoside Re, Rb1 and Rb2, major ginsenoside in GB, were increased and Ginsenoside F1, Rk1 and Rg5, minor ginsenoside, were increased for a time and then decreased. Oleic acid, the main fatty acid in GB, was decreased, and linoleic acid and total fatty acid content was increased to July 27 and then decreased. Conclusion : Total ginsenosides content was the highest on August 1 and total fatty acid content was the highest July 27. As the majority of GB increase, ratio of oleic acid on total fatty acid was decreased and linoleic acid was increased. Thus, GB is that the longer a harvest period and the more useful for food source.

Background : Malonyl ginsenoside content of the Panax ginseng is known to account for 35% to 60% of total ginsenosides content. However, its distribution by ginseng part has not been studied. In this study, four kinds of malonyl ginsenosides were compared in Korean white ginseng part using the purified malonyl ginsenoside standards in our laboratory. Methods and Results : White ginseng was prepared by the air drying (50℃, 48h) or freeze drying (-70℃, 48h) methods form 4-year-old ginseng. Malonyl ginsenoside content in total ginsenosides were similar in air dried and freeze dried white ginseng, 58% and 62%, respectively. Therefore, malonyl ginsenoside contents in main, lateral, and fine root, and in the main root without skin and skin of main root prepared by freeze dried method were compared. Malonyl ginsenosides (m-Rb1, m-Rb2, m-Rc and m-Rd) and total ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rb3, Rd, m-Rb1, m-Rb2, m-Rc and m-Rd) were 6.75 and 14.15 mg/g in main root, 14.15 and 26.35 mg/g in lateral root, 46.95 and 84.15 mg/g in fine root. Malonyl ginsenoside contents in skin of main root was 20.08 mg/g, while its contents of the main root without skin was 2.58 mg/g. Conclusion : As a result, the parts each air drying the sample was confirmed that the ratio of the distribution of malonyl ginsenoside (main root : lateral : fine root = 18.7 : 11.1 : 16.2), and distribution ratio of main root, skin of main root, lateral, skin of lateral was found to be (12.2: 14.6 14.3: 3.7). Malonyl ginsenoside content was the highest in fine root, compared to the main or lateral root. Malonyl ginsenoside contents in skin of root was higher than those of the main root without skin. These results is expected to help establish an efficient extraction and standardization. Malonyl ginsenoside analysis of White ginseng using HPLC expects that the standardization process can be established.

Background : Schizandra chinensis Baillon have five tastes and lately it is using a beverage broadly. Schizandra chinensis is one of the top producing medicinal plant in Korea. Mungyeong of Gyongbuk province produce almost of Schizandra chinensis. Maturity of Schizandra chinensis get 3 years and proliferation of Schizandra chinensis was not a manual. It is needed that a new cultivar has a big fruit and high quality chracteristics using processed food and beverage. Methods and Results : 105 lines of Schizandra chinensis were collected on Mungyeong, Yeongwol, Jinan. It were studied it’ characteristics especially it’s fruit trait. Fruit traits of Schizandra chinensis were researched on fruit length, fruit weight, maturity, number of fruit, male and female ratio, powdery mildew. Fruit length of Schizandra chinensis is relation of fruit weight. It were founded 15 lines of long fruit length. 5 lines were studied high fruit weight and it’s weight were 32 to 41g. Number of fruit has relation with fruit weight and high fruit weight gets many fruits. it’s numer of fruits were 3 to 41. Male and female ratio were very impotant characteristic. High level of female ratio has quantity of fruit. High level of female ratio were founded 2 lines. Finally It was selected 3 good breed lines of Schizandra chinensis. Conclusion : 105 lines of Schizandra chinensis Baillons were collected on Mungyeong, Yeongwol, Jinan. It were founded 15 lines of long fruit length and 5 lines were studied high fruit weight. High level of female ratio were founded 2 lines. 3 good breed lines of Schizandra chinensis were selected.

Background : Angelica gigas is a monocarpic perennial plant. A. gigas, also called DangGui or Korean Angelica, is a major medicinal herb used in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan and China. In Korea, we are using the roots of A. gigas. but, Chinese using Angelica sinensis and Japanese using Angelica acutiloba with the same name 'DangGui'. The biggest problem in the use of A. gigas is the confusion with A. acutiloba or A. sinensis. This confusion can cause an medical accident or lack of pharmacological ingredients. In this study, we developed chloroplast InDel markers that can distinguish A. gigas, A. acutiloba or A. sinensis. Methods and Results : We collected 14 Angelica plant samples including A. gigas, A. acutiloba and A. sinensis and extrated DNA using CTAB method. The DNA was diluted to 10 ng/㎕ and kept -20℃. We designed the primer sets using CLC Main Workbench based on chloroplast DNA InDel region of between A. gigas and A. acutiloba. PCR were performed on the 14 Angelica plant samples including A. gigas, A. acutiloba and A. sinensis (5 repeats each). Electrophoresis was performed using fragment analyzer automated CE system. We designed 6 InDel primer sets and the primer sets amplified the amplicons effectively. Three of the 6 primer sets showed polymorphism. Conclusion : We could distinguish A. gigas, A. acutiloba, and A. sinensis using 2 newly developed InDel markers.

Background : Platycodon grandiflorum is a perennial plant and a member of Campanulaceae family. Since ancient times, they have been using P. grandiflorum as an important medicinal plant in Korea. Platycodin D is the most abundant saponin derived from P. grandiflorum and pharmacologically active component. Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are important enzymes in the saponin biosynthesis. CYP is, in general, the terminal oxidase enzymes and essential roles in saponin biosynthesis pathway by hydroxylation or oxidaition of triterpene skeletons. Methods and Results : We tried to identify CYP genes related to saponin biosynthesis of P. grandiflorum through RNA-seq analysis. The sequencing was performed using Illumina Hi-Seq platform after cDNA library preparation. The produced reads were assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench software (CLC Bio, Inc.). We obtained 122,663 contigs and found 191 putative CYP genes. Familes of CYP716, CYP708, CYP93 and CYP51 were selected as putative saponin biosynthesis related gene families using phylogenetic relationship analysis. Conclusion : The results in this study could help to find the CYPs related to saponin biosynthesis pathway of P. grandiflorum.

Background : As the farmers who grow Chinese matrimony vine (Lycium chinense Miller) in rain-shelter greenhouses increase, it is necessary to develop a cultivar with self-compatibility and high quality. Methods and Results : The new boxthorn line, CBP06419-243 was selected from the cross between CBP03310-250(IT232705) and CBP05399-1 to breed the cultivar with self-compatibility and high quality. These lines used for crossing was tetradilpoid induced by the colchicine treatment on bud. Its preliminary yield test was performed from 2009 to 2011 and the selected line was named Cheongyang 18. Its regional yield trials were carried out in Cheongyang, Yesan and Jindo from 2012, 2014, 2015 and Cheongyang 18 was registered as the new variety, Whasu, in 2015. The specific characteristics were summarized as follows; Tree shape is semi-open type and the leaf is lanceolate. The flowers are distinctly larger. The fruit type is medium size, long oblong and yellowish red. The flowering was June 21 with medium flowering. Branching by pruning its sprout was generated less than the check variety, Cheongmeong. The infection rates on leaves to Eriophys macrodonis Keifer was as strong as 7.7 percent. Anthracnose on fruits in open field was slightly severe compared to the check variety, but the infection rates in rain shelter greenhouses was similar. The content of betaine and free sugar in dried-fruits were higher than that of the check. The dried-fruit yield was decreased about 13 percent in open field, but increased 18 percent in rain shelter greenhouses. Conclusion : This variety ‘Whasu’ was suitable for cultivation in plastic film greenhouses because of self-compatibility and high-yielding. It is not necessary the companion variety.

Background : To diversify and increase the demend of Boxthorn, it is breeding for medicinal herbs, food and fresh fruit. Therefore Ningxia with the high sugar content and Black Fruit Containing a lot of functional ingredients have been used for cross breeding. As a result, many new lines were developed. Therefore It was carried out to use as a data for new varieties through the characterization of good lines. Methods and Results : 12 varieties and lines were investigated. Diploid boxthorn were Chengmyeong (Lycium chinense Mill.), Ningxia (Lycium barbarum L.) and Black Fruit (Lycium ruthenicum Murray). Tetraploid boxthorn is Whasu. Breeding Lines were CB13593-8, CB13595-4, CB13592-9, CB13596-1, CB13597-37, CB14643-43, CB14622-2 and CB14626-4. The fruit of lines crossed with Black Fruit (Lycium ruthenicum Murray) were round. The various lines were breeded with black fruit, good fruiting and good soil adaptability. Leaves were small and thin in Compared with tetraploid Boxthorn, Whasu. Sugar content was very high in CB14643-43, CB13595-4, CB13597-37 and CB13593-8. So it’s good for fresh fruit. Conclusion : CB14643-43, CB13595-4, CB13597-37 and CB13593-8 lines were good for fresh fruit because of high sugar content of the fruit. CB14622-2 and CB13596-1 lines were good for food because of fruit color, seed weight and number of seeds. But these are required function component analysis.

Background : The advancement of next-generation sequencing technology dramatically reduces the cost for sequencing and it contributes to create a new research environment that utilizes large amount of genome sequences to answer many biological questions. With this new research trend, reference genome sequences of several major crops have been released to the research community and utilized in various researches in agriculture. Coupled with molecular breeding technology, NGS based genome research will possibly allow selecting a new plant material possessing useful traits in early stage and efficiently developing a superior cultivar. Methods and Results : The objectives of this research are to collecting various genetic variations (SNPs, indels and TE mediated variations) in major and minor crops, to develop molecular markers using NGS based genomic data (resequencing, GBS, transcriptome), and to develop a visualization tools to enhance the utility of the NGS data. Currently major analysis pipelines have been developed to detect SNPs, indel and polymophic SSRs using whole genome and transcriptome data, and a pipeline for identification of MITE insertion polymorphism is under development. In addition to that, for orphan crop, we also implemented an efficient and robust method to assemble a complete chloroplast, mitochondria and 45S rDNA using low coverage whole genome data in order to develop an inter- and intra-specific molecular barcode markers. Conclusion : NGS provide a new level of researches in many crop plants. Large amount of genomic information provides an opportunity to understand domestication and genetic variations, and to develop a better crop for future.

Background : study of long yam and short yam (Dioscorea. opposita) are cultivated in temperate regions but tropical yam (Dioscorea alata) are mainly grown in Africa and sub-tropical regions cultivated crops. Recent tropical yam cultivation area of Korea increased but lack the proper cultivation techniques to climate warming. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of the timely harvest on Tropical yam at 2015 in Institute of Bioresources Research, GBARES. Methods and Results : Tuber of tropical yam were cut as 40 g, and dust-coating sterilized with lime. Seedlings were grown in heating wire installed seed bed from 11. March to 16. May. Experimental field were fertilized 2,000 kg compost, 34 kg N2, 28 kg P2O5, and 28 kg K2O. All amount of compost and P2O5 treated as basal fertilizer. N2 and K2O treated 14 and 10 kg of basal fertilizer, and 20 and 18 kg of additional fertilizer, respectively. Tillage, covering black PE film with 60×25 cm spacing holes on 120 cm row were conducted. Emergence days from 6. April to 18 May until 28 days to 36 days but 15. June and 9. June were each 19 and 7 days. Dry weigh in early stage due to seedling date, while seedling date according from 6. April to 18. May had no difference. seedling date was not effective on total number of tuber but number of marketable tuber (over 200 g). Marketable tuber number of seedling date according to 20. April was increased 35~132% as 4,028 number per 10 a. And tuber with 20. April was 13~73 g heavier. Tuber yield and marketable tuber yield of seedling date as affected by 20. April were respectively 2,518 and 1,273 kg per 10 a compared to 6. April and from 4. May to 15. June as 1,743~2,457 kg and 484~1,027 kg. Conclusion : Tropical yam is low temperature in the cultivation of Korea but also adverse environmental conditions. Frost is not mature enough off before harvesting. Yam had significant increased marketable tuber (over 200 g) yield due to seedling in mid-April Requires cultivation technology.

Background : According to medicinal plant standard culture, flower organ should be removed but there is no detail information on flower organ removal in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. This study was carried out to examine effect of flower organ removal on the increase of roots yield in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. Methods and Results : ○ Experiment variety : Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi. ○ Treatment : ① Flower organ non-cutting ② Flower organ cutting ○ Planting date : April, 2015/ April 25, 2016 ○ Planting distance : 30×20cm/ 30×15cm ○ Experiment place : Ginseng & Medicinal Plant Research Institute(Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) Conclusion : The fresh rhizome yield of F. O. C. at a bud treatments were increased 21.0% ∼50.0% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. The fresh rhizome yield of F. O. C. at a flower treatments were increased 17.4%∼34.6% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. The fresh weight of above-ground parts of F. O. C. treatments were decreased 77.2%∼65.7% compare to F. O. N. C. treatments. F. O. C.(=Flower organ cutting) / F. O. N. C.(=Flower organ non-cutting).

Background : Tetraploid plants are bigger in the size of fruits, leaves, stems, and roots than diploid plants due to bigger cells attributed to chromosome multiplication. The advantage of tetraploid plants includes breakdown of self-incompatibility and increase of disease resistance. This study was carried out to gain tetraploid resources for breeding of new boxthorn varieties having pest resistance, higher yield, and self-compatibility. Methods and Results : Tetraploid lines for this study were C0148-10 and C0412-1 from Cheongyang-jaerae (CJ), M0148-94 and M0148-120 from Myongan (MA), B0148-43 and B0148-78 from Bulro (BL), D0148-62 and D0148-72 from Cheongdae (CD), and Y0148-2 and Y0148-24 from Youngha (YH). Flower width ranged 13.2～17.4mm. Flower, pollen and anther were bigger than the mother plants. Pollen germination rate of the tetraploid lines ranging 36.1～58.8% was lower than mother plants (46.5～67.6%). Self-fertilization rate in 4 varieties, MA, BL, CD and YH was low as 1.3%, 4.0%, 1.4% and 4.7% respectively indicating that mother plants are self-incompatible. Self-fertilization rate in tetraploid lines was higher as 58.1～87.5% and B0148-43, M0148-120, and D0148-72 showed the highest self-fertilization rate over 80%. Conclusion : Tetraploid lines showed higer self-fertilization rate than mother plants that they were expected as valuable resources for new boxthorn variety having self-compatibility.

Background : Tetraploid plants are bigger in the size of fruits, leaves, stems, and roots than diploid plants due to bigger cells attributed to chromosome multiplication. The advantage of tetraploid plants includes breakdown of self-incompatibility and increase of disease resistance. This study was carried out to gain tetraploid resources for breeding of new boxthorn varieties having pest resistance, higher yield, and self-compatibility. Methods and Results : 10 Tetraploid lines by colchicine treatment were compared with diploid boxthorn varieties on growth and yield characteristics. Tetraploid lines induced from each varieties were C0148-10 and C0412-1 from Cheongyang-jaerae (CJ), M0148-94 and M0148-120 from Myongan (MA), B0148-43 and B0148-78 from Bulro (BL), D0148-62 and D0148-72 from Cheongdae (CD), and Y0148-2 and Y0148-24 from Youngha (YH). The ratio of stem diameter to stem length in tetraploid lines increased to 0.86 - 1.16 compared to 0.79 - 0.87 of the mother plants whereas number of branches decreased. The ratio of leaf length to width ranged from 2.0 to 3.3, lower than the mother plants. Leaf weight and chlorophyll content also increased compared to the mother plants. C0148-10, C0412-1, Y0148-2, and Y0148-24 showed 34～346% increase in dry fruit yield per 10a compared to mother plants. Conclusion : Above selected tetraploid lines had larger and heavier leaves and C0148-10, C0412-1, Y0148-2, and Y0148-24 were higher in fruit yield than mother plants that the selected tetraploid lines were expected as useful resources for new leaf vegetable and higher yield boxthorn varieties.

Background : Liriope platyphylla Wang et. Tang belongs to the Liliaceae and herbal medicinal plants. It is usually grown as ground cover plants. But the farm is cultivated medicinal plants in order to harvest its tuberous root. The cultivated area is 95ha and the production is 588 ton(2014). Miryang and Cheongyang are the main producing areas. This experiment was carried out to select a cultivar that are well adapted in middle regions in Korea. Methods and Results : It were investigated the tuber characteristics in four cultivars of Liriope platyphylla Wang et. Tang. The ratios of roots and tubers a plant was ranged 18.6 - 21.6%. Maekmundong 1 have more in tubers per a plant but lower in the rate of marketable tubers and 100-tubers weight than other 3 cultivars. Cheongshim was heavier and larger in tuberous root than 3 other cultivars. The tuber’s distributions in less than 10 ㎝ soil depth at the surface was 48.6% in Cheongshim, 58.4% in Seungsu 50.6% in Maekmundong 1 and 58.1% in Cheongyang native’s line. So, Seungsu and Cheongyang native’s line are believed to be suitable for harvesting by machines. The tuber’s yield was highest in Seungsu and was 5% higher than Cheongyang native’s line. The spicatoside A extracted with 80% MeOH was analyzed by 0.01 – 1.83 ㎎/g and Maekmundong 1 have been contained much more than other cultivars. Conclusion : Considering the yield and medicinal ingredients, Maekmundong 1 have good quality than Cheongshim, Seungsu and Cheongyang natives’s lines in middle regions in Korea.

Background : This study was carried out to survey the effect of IBA (indole-3-butric acid) concentration on root development characteristics in Viburnum dilatatum cuttings. Methods and Results : The cuttings were collected on July 28, 2016 from plants growing in Korea National Arboretum. Cuttings were treated with different IBA concentrations [0 (control), 10, 100, 1000, 2000 ㎎⋅L-¹] for 10 seconds. Rooting parameters (root number, the longest root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, rooting percentage, and survival rate) were observed at 8 weeks after cuttings. Rooting percentage was 43, 33, 17, 47, and 40 % at 0, 10, 100, 1000, and 2000 ㎎⋅L-¹ of IBA, respectively. Root number (13.4) was highest under 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA. Root length (9.4 ㎝) and Root weight (fresh and dry) were highest under 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA. Conclusion : According to the results, 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA was the best treatment for increasing percentage rooting percentage and other root development characteristics of V. dilatatum cuttings.

Cichlid fish species exhibit characteristic sexual behaviors according to not only reproductive stages but also social status. In a reproductive season, Astatotilapia burtoni males compete for females and a small number of dominant winners finally obtain the chance of spermiation. In addition to the characteristic behaviors, the dominant males have relatively bigger gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) neurons in the preoptic area (POA) of brain compared to those of subordinate males. Although the stimulatory effect of GnRH1 in vertebrate reproduction is well established, little is known about the triggering signal pathway to control GnRH1 neurons and GnRH1-mediated sexual behavior. In the present study, we evaluated the potential effect of TOR inhibitor rapamycin in relation to the cichlid male behaviors and GnRH1 neuron. After 14 h and 26 h of intraventricular injection of rapamycin, behavior patterns of chasing and courtship display did not show significant changes between rapamycin- and DMSO-injected males. Behaviors of spawning site entry increased in rapamycininjected fish at 26 h post-injection than at 14 h post-injection significantly (P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was a tendency that GnRH1 neurons’ soma size in the POA shrank by rapamycin injection, whereas the testes did not show notable changes. Taken together, these results suggest the possible role of TOR signal on GnRH1-mediated sexual behavior in cichlid dominant males, although further biological characterization of the TOR signaling pathway will be required to clarify this matter.

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) promotes an effective system of plant variety protection and encourages the development of new varieties of plants. This international convention was initiated to standardize the system efforts and strengthen policy. The establishment of cultivar discrimination system is very important to distinguish varieties between domestic and foreign agricultural products. It is necessary for the protection of breeders’rights. In addition, it will help for more efficient and quality management of plant breeding. This study was conducted to identify and group rice varieties based on agro-morphological characteristics such as plant height, panicle length, number of tillers, culm length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf pigments and flag leaf angles. Using these parameters, statistical analysis classified a total of 243 rice varieties bred in Korea into four groups. Most rice varieties did not exhibit anthocyanin pigments on the leaves particularly on the first leaf, leaf blade, leaf sheath and auricle, except for varieties classified as black rice. Results of phylogenetic and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that these varieties formed three largely distinct clusters according to their ecotype and morphological differentiation. This result would be useful in rice varietal identification for the protection of breeders’variety rights.

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of CCK-producing cells and mucus-secreting goblet cells with respect to stomach fish and stomachless fish of the Gobiidae in order to provide a basis for understanding the digestive physiology. Hairychin goby (Sagamia geneionema), which is stomachless fish, the numbers of mucus-secreting goblet cells is highest in the posterior intestine portion (P<0.05), while CCK-producing cells are scattered throughout the intestine. Gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus), which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells are most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05), whereas CCK-producing cells are observed only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Trident goby (Tridentiger obscurus) which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells were most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are found in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Giurine goby, Rhinogobius giurinus which is also stomach fish, the largest number of mucus-secreting goblet cells showed in anterior intestine portion except for esophagus (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are present only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. In S. geneionema, digestive action occurs in the posterior intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. In contrast, in C. gulosus, T. obscurus and R. giurinus, their digestive action occurs in the anterior and mid intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. Further studies of the modes of food ingestion by these fish, the contents of their digestive tracts, and the staining characteristics of the goblet cells need to be carried out.