Calmodulin, a Ca2+-binding protein, has no enzyme activity. It combines with Ca2+ and makes variable proteins to an active form. Calmodulin 2 is a ubiquitous protein in plants. To investigate the defense mechanism against various stresses, a clone encoding a calmodulin 2 protein was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from taproot mRNAs of Codonopsis lanceolata. The cDNA, designated CICAM2, is 719 nucleotides long and has an open reading frame of 450 bp with a deduced amino acid sequence of 149 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of CICAM2 showed a high similarity with calmodulins of P. x hybrida (P27163) 97%, N. tabacum (BAB61908) 97%, S. tuberosum (AAA74405) 96%, Z. mays (CAA74307) 92%, C. richardii (AF510075) 93%, M. truncatula (AAM81203) 91%, and G. max (P62163) 91%. The transcriptional expression of the CICAM2 gene, was gradually increased by the CaCl2 treatment. Whereas its expression And it was gradually decreased in the cold stress treatment.ent.

To investigate the defense mechanism against the abiotic stress, a cDNA clone encoding a CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) protein was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from tabroot mRNAs of Codonopsis lanceolata. The eDNA, designated ClSODCc, is 799 nucleotides long and has an open reading frame of 459 bp with a deduced amino acid sequence of 152 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of ClSODCc matched to the previously reported CuZnSODs. Consensus amino acid residues (His-45, -47, -62, -70, -79, -119 and Asp-82) were involved in Cu-, Cu/Zn-, and Zn- binding ligands. The deduced amino acid sequence of ClSODCc showed high homologies (82％-86％) regardless of species. Expression of ClSODCc by oxidative stress was increased up to 1 h after treatment and declined gradually. Much earlier and stronger expression of ClSODCc was observed in the cold stress treatment.

Changes in the level of metabolites in leaves and pods were examined with respect to the seed chemical composition in black soybean. There was no further increase in pod length after 42 days after flowering (DAF). Pod weight, however, persistently increase until 73 DAF, thereafter the weight was slightly lowered. The seed storage protein, however, increased drastically as the increasing rate of pod weight was lessened at 61 DAF. The accumulation of seed storage proteins was occurred conspicuously as the increasing rate of pod weight was slowed down. The chlorophyll content both in leaves and pods was drastically decreased after 50 DAF. The beginning of drastic reduction in chlorophyll content was occurred concomitantly with the reduction of soluble protein content in leaves. The sugar content in leaves showed similar tendency with chlorophyll and soluble protein content. The starch level in leaves, however, showed different changing pattern during seed development. The starch content in leaves was increased persistently until 66 DAF, thereafter the content was decreased drastically to about 55~% of maximal value at 66 DAF. Total phenolics content in leaves and the anthocyanins content in seeds were stable without noticeable increase until 66 DAF. The contents were increased dramatically after 66 DAF showing the synchronized pattern with the decrease in starch level in leaves. The levels of the selected metabolites in leaf and seed suggested that the accumulation of chemical components of black soybean seed is launched actively at 66 DAF. The profile of storage proteins was nearly completed at 61 DAF because there was no large difference in densitometric intensity among protein subunits after 61 DAF. In soybean, chemical maturation of seed begins around 61 to 66 DAF at which most metabolites in vegetative parts are decreased and remobilized into maturing seeds.

Genetic background and phylogenetic relationships among 20 Korean wheat cultivars were assessed using microsatellites after amplifying with 13 SSR primer pairs. Average allele number per primer pair was 3.36. Genetic similarities for every pair of cultivars ranged from 0.42 to 0.97, with 0.69 of overall average. Korean cultivars were divided into two major groups based on microsatellite DNA polymorphisms. Group I consisted of relatively old cultivars developed until 1970s, and group II contained the recent cultivars developed during 1980s and 1990s. Amongst old elite cultivars/lines, ‘Yukseung 3’, ‘Norin 12’ and ‘Norin 72’ contributed most to the genetic background of cultivars belonging to group I, and ‘Norin 4’, ‘Norin 12’, ‘Norin 43’ and ‘Norin 72’ to group II, respectively. The phylogenetic relationship of Korean wheat cultivars was in accordance with the genealogical data of each cultivar. The genetic background of each cultivar was assessed from the point of breeding and germplasm management such as variety identification and duplicated accessions for assisting in developing a system for the registration of new variety based on the molecular characterization in future.

Germination and emergence habits of Chinese milk vetch (CMV) were examined to obtain the basic information for the effect of environmental conditions and cultural practices on the seedling density. Seed germination tests with different water potentials, temperatures, and soil and water depths showed the environmental effects on the characters related to seed germination in CMV. Imbibition under different temperatures reflects that initial velocity was rapid at higher temperature, however, the times to full imbibition were not different between 15 and 25~circ . The optimal germination temperature for CMV germination was ranged from 15 to 20 and the germination was highly affected by water potential of media at relatively high temperature above 20~circ . When the seeds were sown in flooded condition the germination was not proportionally affected by water depth. In addition, there was no correlation between water depth and oxygen concentration. The germination of seeds flooded by 2cm water depth were poorly germinated compared to other depths. Results indicated that the germination of submerged seeds was more highly influenced by flooding depth than the temperature, it was also affected more strongly at 10 than 20~circ . Emergence of CMV depending on the thickness of covered soil was poor when the soil layer was greater than 5cm. In the experiment with seeds collected between 22 days after flowering (OAF) and 52 DAF, the highest germination ability of CMV seeds was observed at 39 DAF and germinability was decreased subsequently as seeds became mature. The lower germinability may be due to the enhanced seed dormancy.

Mihyangbyeo, a new japonica aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) was developed by National Honam Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES), RDA in 1998. It was derived from the three-way cross among Seomjinbyeo of the disease resistance and high yielding lines,

The Korean native rice collection consists of landrace and weedy strains. The weedy strains are represented by two dis-tinctive populations, Share and red rice. The 242 representative accessions of Korean native rice collection were selected basedon the p

Four different rice varieties, Sindongjinbyeo, Dongjin #1, Saegyehwabyeo, and Iksan 467, were transplanted under three different nitrogen levels and two different seedling numbers per hill to obtain basic information on panicle traits under different cultural conditions and to propose the ideal panicle structure in Japonica rice. Sindongjinbyeo and Iksan 467 were characterized by more primary rachis branches (PRBs) per panicle and more grains on PRB than other cultivars. The two varieties also had fewer secondary rachis branches (SRBs) per PRB and fewer grains on SRB per PRB. These characteristics, consequently, resulted in higher ripened grain rate, contrary to that of Dongjin #1 and Saegyehwabyeo. In the correlation coefficient analysis, PRB number per panicle and grain number on PRB per panicle were positively correlated with ripened grain rate, while SRB number per panicle, number of grains on SRB per panicle, SRB number per PRB, number of grains on SRB per PRB and grain number per panicle were negatively correlated with ripened grain rate. Therefore, the number of grains on PRB per panicle, SRB number per PRB and the number of grains on SRB per PRB were the appropriate criteria for determining and achieving higher ripened grain rate in rice. High ripened grain rate over 90% was obtainable with over 12.5 PRBs per panicle and 63 grains on PRB per panicle, and with under 1.7 SRBs per PRB, 5 grains on SRB per PRB, 130 grains per panicle, and 14 panicles per hill. The study recommended that for over 90% high ripened grain rate, the critical limiting factors should be under 2 SRBs per PRB, 6 grains per PRB, and 130 grains per panicle, irrespective of the PRB number per panicle and the number of grains on PRB.

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Inchinoe; SCN) is a devastating pest of soybean and is responsible for significant losses in yield. The use of resistant cultivars is the effective method to reduce or eliminate SCN damage. The objective of this research is to identify AFLP markers linked to the SCN resistant genes. Bulked genomic DNA was made from resistant and susceptible genotypes to SCN and a total of 19 primer combinations were used. About 31 fragments were detected per primer combination. The banding patterns were readily distinguished in resistant and susceptible bulked genotypes. Polymorphic fragments were detected between resistant and susceptible bulked genotypes in the primer combination of CGT/GGC, CAG/GTG and CTC/GAG. In primer combinations of CGT/GGC and CAG/GTG, bulked resistant genotype produced a polymorphic bands. However, in primer of CTC/GAG, bulked susceptible genotype produced a polymorphic fragments. Three AFLP markers identified as a polymorphic fragments between bulked genomic DNA were mapped in 85 F2 population. Among them, only two markers, CGT/GGC and CTC/GAG, was linked and was mapped. Broad application of AFLP marker would be possible for improving resistant cultivars to SCN.

The applicability of non-destructive near infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) method was tested to determine the protein and oil contents of intact soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds. A total of 198 soybean calibration samples and 101 validation samples were used for NIRS equation development and validation, respectively. In the developed non-destructive NIRS equation for analysis of protein and oil contents, the most accurate equation was obtained at 2, 8, 6, 1(2nd derivative, 8 nm gap, 6 points smoothing, and 1 point second smoothing) and 2, 1, 20, 10 math treatment conditions with Standard Normal Variate and Detrend (SNVD) scatter correction method and entire spectrum (400-2500 nm) by using Modified Partial Least Squares (MPLS) regression, respectively. Validation of these non-destructive NIRS equations showed very low bias (protein: 0.060%, oil: -0.017%) and standard error of prediction (SEP, protein: 0.568 %, oil : 0.451 %) as well as high coefficient of determination (R2 , protein: 0.927, oil: 0.906). Therefore, these non-destructive NIRS equations can be applicable and reliable for determination of protein and oil content of intact soybean seeds, and non-destructive NIRS method could be used as a mass screening technique for selection of high protein and oil soybean in breeding programs

Introgression from genetically modified plants (GMPs) may be dependent on the genetic similarity to wild relative plants. In Korea, many wild plant species are botanically related to the cultivated plants that have a potential to be genetically transformed. The controversy for hazards of GMPs is continuing because the studies on gene flow or introgression are little. Based on the systematic criteria, we have surveyed Korean wild plant species that showed the similarity to cultivating crops. The consideration for feasibility of genetic pollution (introgression of transgene) is necessary for the successful accomplishment in the practical use of GMPs. Although the detrimental effects of GMPs on wild relatives have not been clearly verified, Korean wild plant species related to crop plant (potential GMP) have to be investigated with respect to the introgression. Korean flora consists of ca. 5,500 species. Among them, 1,448 species are classified as weed species (966 native, 325 naturalized, and 167 escaped ones), which is vulnerable to GMPs in term of introgression. We suggested the principal Korean wild plants related to major crops that might be affected by GMPs via introgression. The investigated species herein are selected based on the morphological and phenological relationship. It is necessary to verify the genetic relationship between cultivated plants and wild relatives sing more precise molecular techniques, which provide the information of likelihood for the introgression of transgene

The applicability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy(NIRS) was tested to determine the protein and oil contents in ground soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds. A total of 189 soybean calibration samples and 103 validation samples were used for NIRS equation development and validation, respectively. In the NIRS equation of protein, the most accurate equation was obtained at 2, 8, 6, 1(2nd derivative, 8 nm gap, 6 points smoothing and 1 point second smoothing) math treatment condition with SNV-D (Standard Normal Variate and Detrend) scatter correction method and entire spectrum by using MPLS (Modified Partial Least Squares) regression. In the case of oil, the best equation was obtained at 1, 4, 4, 1 condition with SNV-D scatter correction method and near infrared (1100-2500nm) region by using MPLS regression. Validation of these NIRS equations showed very low bias (protein:-0.016%, oil : -0.011 %) and standard error of prediction (SEP, protein: 0.437%, oil: 0.377%) and very high coefficient of determination (R2 , protein: 0.985, oil : 0.965). Therefore, these NIRS equation seems reliable for determining the protein and oil content, and NIRS method could be used as a mass screening method of soybean seed

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed weight is a important trait in cultivar development. Objective of this study was to identify and confirm quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed weight variation in the F2 and F2:3 generations. QTLs for seed weight were identified in F2 and F2:3 generations using interval mapping (MapMaker/QTL) and single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the F2 plant generation (i.e., F3 seed), three markers, OPL9a, OPM7a, and OPAC12 were significantly (P<0.01) associated with seed weight QTLs. In the F2:3 plant row generation (i.e., F4 seed), five markers, OPA9a, OPG19, OPL9b, OPP11, and Sat_085 were significantly (P<0.01) associated with seed weight QTLs. Two markers, OPL9a and OPL9b were significantly (P<0.05) associated with seed weight QTLs in both generations. Two QTLs on USDA soybean linkage group C1 and R were identified in both F2 and F2:3 generations using interval mapping. The linkage group C1 QTL explained 16% of the variation in seed weight in both generations, and the linkage group R QTL explained 39% and 41% of the variation for F2 and F2:3 generation, respectively. The linkage group C2 QTL identified in F2:3 generation explained 14.9% of variation. Linkage groups C1, C2 and R had previously been identified as harbouring seed size QTLs. The consistency of QTLs across generations and populations indicates that marker-assisted selection is possible in a soybean breeding program.