We evaluated the anti-allergic effect of black colored rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its main constituents, cyanidin 3 glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin (Cy) on scratching behavior in mice. The black rice extract (BRE) and its constituts inhibited the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 and histamin. To understand the role of intestinal microflora in the anti-allergic effect of C3G, which was suspected to play a key role in depressing scratching behavior, C3G was incubated with human fecal bacteria. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) was found within the 30 min and its concetration sharply increased. Vanillic acid (VA) was also detected in the incubated sample mixture. The anti-allergic effect of these compounds, C3G, Cy, PCA and VA, were investigated. PCA and Cy potentely reduced scratching behavior in mice induced by compound 48/80 and histamin. These findings enable us to conclude that intestinal bacterial metabolites, PCA and VA, produced by intestinal micro flora contributed to suppressing the scratching behavior induced by compound 48/80 and histamin.

Identification and quantification of allantoin in rice grain of selected varieties were investigated. Allantoin was isolated from Jeokjinjubyeo, and its structure has been elucidated on the basis of spectral data. Allantoin was extracted with a 70% acetone and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatographic methods without a previous chemical derivatization. The concentration of allantoin in selected rice varieties was in a narrow range from 2 to 18 mg per 100 g of brown rice. The highest content was detected in Heugkwang with 18.6 mg per 100 g brown rice, while the lowest was 2.59 mg in Yeomyung.

A new deep red colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, `Best Red' was developed at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES). Seedling and line selection were conducted in 2003 and its characteristics were examined three times from 2004 to 2006. 'Best Red' which was obtained by cross between 'Vital' and 'Cardinal'. It shows a red group color (RHS No. 46C), medium fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray floret and flower center. The upper stem is moderate curved. The average yield during 2004-2006 was 111 stems/m2. Its vase life was 10 days. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It is suitable for greenhouses in all regions in Korea and will be released to farmers in 2009.

A new pale pink colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, 'Fine Pink' was developed at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES). Seedling and line selection were conducted in 2003 and its characteristics were examined three times from 2004 to 2006. 'Fine Pink' was obtained by crosse between 'Nobless' and 'Yvessaaintlaurent'. It shows a red group color (RHS No. 56C), very weak fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray floret and flower center. It has a characteristic of straight stem. The average yield during 2004-2006 was 113 stems/m2. It has 10 days vase life and resistance to powdery mildew. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It is suitable for greenhouse in all regions in Korea and will be released to farmers in 2009.

A new light pink colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, 'Top Pink' was developed by the cross between 'Nobless' and 'Belami' at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES) through seedling and line selection in 2003, and characteristic evaluation during 2004-2006. 'Top Pink' shows a Red group color (RHS No. 49A), strong fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray florlet and flower center, and straight stem. The yield was 131 stems/m2 averaged over three years (2004-2007). It showed 10 days vase life and was resistant to powdery mildew. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It can be cultured in greenhouses in Korea and will be released to farmers in 2009.

A new dark pink colored standard rose (Rosa hybrida Hort.) cultivar, 'Global Pink' was developed by the cross between 'Nobless' and `Belami' at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extention Services (JARES) through seedling and line selection in 2003 and characteristic evaluations during 2004~2006. 'Global Pink' showed Red purple group color (RHS No. 65B), very weak fragrance, and standard flower with good harmony between ray florlet and flower center. Its yield was 134 stems/m2 averaged over three years (2004-2007). It showed 10 days vase life and was resistant to powdery mildew. This cultivar was registered as a commercial cultivar in 2007. It can be cultured in greenhouses in Korea and will be released to the farmers in 2009.

The effects of the transferred green rice leafhopper (GRH) resistant gene on yield and grain quality were analyzed by using 7 near-isogenic lines (NILs) with introgressed GRH resistance gene in rice cultivar "Ilpumbyeo". The genotype analysis using SSR markers indicated that all NILs were recovered more than 95% as compared with recurrent parent "Ilpumbyeo". All NILs showed no significant differences compared to recurrent parent for grain yield. No significant differences were observed between NILs and their recurrent parent for physicochemical traits (protein content, amylose content and alkali spreading value) and eating quality. But there were significant differences for appearance of brown and milled rice and pasting properties between some NILs and their recurrent parent. It means that these grain appearance and pasting traits of NILs were very similar or more improved compared to recurrent parent "Ilpumbyeo". Thus, it could be possible to develop GRH resistant variety with high ,quality in segregating populations.

The pollen grain is a unique tricellular structure suitable for the delivery of the sperm cells to the ovule. All nutrients required for microspore and pollen cell growth are derived by passage through the anther locule and secretion by the tapetum lining. During later stages the tapetum degenerates but contributes to produce pigments, waxes, lipids and proteins which form the pollen coat and function in signaling between male (pollen) and female (pistil) tissues. The development of both normal pollen and tapetum is necessary for the fertilization processes in rice and would be exploited for the induction of male-sterility which is very useful to improve economic value of crops. We aredeveloping new approaches using a conditional male-sterility for the F1 hybrid seed production in rice. The conventional three parental systems for F1 hybrid seed production requirethe following three lines: male-sterile line, maintainer line, and restorer line. In this system, a critical requirement is to maintain the male-sterile inbred lines. Here we suggest molecular approaches, in which the engineered male-sterile plants are generated by regulating endogenous hormonal balance through the loss-of-function of genes. We can expect the male-sterility can be restored by exogenous applications of hormones such as gibberellin or jasmonic acid. Based on two parental systems, we will address the answer onfollowing question: how can we maintain a male-sterile line producing 100% male-sterile progenies without a maintainer? This work was supported by grants from Crop Functional Genomics Center of the 21C Frontier Program (CG1517), RepublicKorea.

“Yeonganbyeo”, a new japonica rice variety (Oryza sativa L.), is a mid- maturing ecotype with high lysine content in kernels that was developed by the rice breeding team of National Yeongnam Agricultural Experiment Station (NYAES) in 2001 and released in 2002. This variety was originated from the single cross of Milyang 122/YR13616 Acp1 (in 1992/1993 winter) and was selected by means of a mixed method of bulk and pedigree breeding. The pedigree of “Yeonganbyeo” was YR15815-B-B-B-30 and designated in 1998 as “Milyang 164”. It has about 83cm in culm length with lodging tolerance. This variety is resistant to bacterial leaf blight (K1, K2, K3), stripe virus, and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. Milled rice kernels of “Yeonganbyeo” has high lysine content of 4.31% (ratio of amino acid components in total protein), a clear translucent with non-glutinous endosperm and clear in chalkness and good at eating quality by pannel test. The yield potential of “Yeonganbyeo” in milled rice is about 5.45 MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to the southern plain of Korea.