Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea, but its yields are often reduced by a variety of root pathogens. The root rot of ginseng is a destructive soil-borne disease caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans (teleomorph: Ilyonectria radicicola). Methods and Results : Ilyonectria radicicola and its Cylindrocarpon-like anamorph represent a species complex that is commonly associated with root rot disease symptoms on virulence. During the course of this study, several species could be distinguished from I. radicicola sensu stricto based on morphological and culture characteristics. As results of investigated culture characteristics, optimal temperature for mycelial growth of isolates were 20℃, and colony pattern and color were slightly different on PDA. Isolates of I. radicicola were analyzed for their genetic relatedness based on several genes and microsatellite region. I. radicicola group was divided into two small groups. Conclusion : Therefore, we were able to confirm pathogenicity and genetic difference between the isolates in each of the groups of the pathogen. Among these isolates, 21.5% were classified as highly virulent and 78.5% were weakly virulent. *(Corresponding

Background : This study aimed to investigate the effect of elevated temperature by climate change on growth and ginsenoside contents of Korean ginseng, which requires low temperature during growth period. Methods and Results : Yunpoong was transplanted in temperature gradient chamber (TGC) for high temperature treatment and then growth characteristics and ginsenoside contents were investigated by growth period. Stem length, petiole length, leaf length and leaf width were increased as the temperature was higher than Ambient Temperature (Amb), but stalk diameter was decreased and small petiole length, number of petiole and leaf were no significant difference. Root growth, whereas, including length diameter and weight were decreased as the temperature was higher than Amb. Compared with Amb, root length, diameter and weight were decreased by 19.6%, 22.4% and 41.5% at Amb+6, respectively. The higher the temperatures are associated with the more ginsenoside contents. Compared to Amb, total ginsenoside contents were increased by 68% and 78% at Amb+4℃ and Amb+6℃, respectively. Almost all contents of individual ginsenoside, with the exception of Rg1, made a significant difference. Conclusion : When temperatures rises during growth period, the growth of ginseng was decreased but, ginsenoside contents were increased.

Background : The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins) Scholten is the cause of root rot in many ginseng production areas. Root exudate composition and quantity vary in relation to plant nutritional status, but the impact of the differences on rhizosphere microbial communities is not known. Methods and Results : Five kinds of rotation crops, sudan grass soybean peanut sweet potato, perilla were grown for one year in ginseng garden harvested 6-year-old ginseng. The ratio of gram-negative bacteria, fungi, bacteria, total microbial biomass, aerobic/anaerobic microbes were increased by rotational crop cultivation, while the ratio of actinomycetes and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The increase in the fungal density or the increase in the proportion of fungi to the bacteria tended to increase the incidence of root rot, but there was no significant difference. The yield of ginseng root showed a highly significant negative correlation with actinomycetes. The correlation between the soil chemical properties and the incidence of root rot was analyzed by cultivating 23 kinds of green manure crops for one year in field where cultivated ginseng continuously. The survival rate of ginseng showed a highly significant positive correlation with soil acidity and a highly significant negative correlation with nitrate nitrogen, and a significant negative correlation with soil salt concentration. Conclusion : Rotation crops improved soil microbial communities, lowered the rate of fungi and increased the proportion of bacteria, the survival rate of ginseng was significantly correlated with soil acidity, nitrate nitrogen and soil salinity.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as plants. Incorporating into soil as green manures are effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated green manure into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. Sorghum sudanense, Helianthus annuus, and Helianthus tuberosus were relatively high in dry matter production. Without incorporating green manure into soil, NO3, EC (electric conductivity) and K were decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. When green manure was incorporated to soil, P2O5 and NO3, were reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The survived root ratio of 2-year-old ginseng were significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3% in Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus, respectively, In addition, there was a significant increase in Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius. The survived root ratio of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with soil pH and a negative correlation with NO3, and EC. Conclusion: Cultivation of Chrysanthemum family mainly using rhizome and root as green manure was effective for root rot disease of ginseng.

Background : Ginseng widely cultivated as a major medicinal herb in Korea, is economically important crop for farmer. Ginseng root disease caused by soil borne pathogens is main factors restricting the quantity and quality of ginseng. The disease can result in harvest loss of up to 20~70% and limits the replanting of ginseng under same field for long time. The traditional control method of agrochemical use is not recommend to control soil borne disease because of difficulty in use and unstable effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several antagonistic microbes for developing biological control method of ginseng root rot. Methods and Results : To select biocontrol agents against ginseng soil borne disease, several bacteria were isolated from ginseng root and rhizosphere soil evaluated in vitro screening of antifungal bacterial against ginseng root pathogens. Two antagonistic bacteria, ES17 and CJ4, showed the strongest inhibition effect against ginseng root pathogen. In the pot experiment under greenhouse conditions, ginseng seedling dipped in bacterial suspension at inoculum density of 106 cfu/ml for 1 hour were planted in pot containing inoculum. Control effect was examined depend on disease severity index at 30 days after inoculation. Ginseng root treated with CJ4 and ES17 isolate reduced root rot disease development on the ginseng root with degrees of control efficacy of 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion : Two biocontrol agent, Burkholderia ambifaria CJ4 and Paenibacillus strain ES17, had strong antifungal efficacy against ginseng soil borne pathogens. These results obtained from in vitro test and pot experiment suggest the potential applicability of the biocontrol agent to control ginseng root rot caused by various soil borne pathogens.

Background : This study was carried out to distribute superior cultivars to farmers by analyzing growth characteristics of ginseng and effectively set the target for breeding by investigating annual agronomic characteristics of ginseng. Methods and Results : As a plant materials, Chunpoong (CP), Yunpoong (YP), Gopoong(GP), Gumpoong (GU) and Sunun (SU) were transplanted in Eumseong (ES), Geumsan (GS) and Yeoncheon (YC) on March 2013. Cultivation and management were conducted on the basis of the standard guidelines. According to stem and petiole by region, YC represent the largest stem diameter, leaf length and petiole length of cultivars, followed by those in ES and those in GS. Leaf growth of cultivars was overall the best in YC. Although CP had long and narrow leaves in all regions, YP and SU had short and narrow leaves. Root weight of all cultivars was the best in YC, but there was no significant differences by them. Growth of CP, YP and GP was generally good in ES. Growth of cultivars was relatively even in GS, but it was poor compared to cultivars which were cultivated in ES and YC. Conclusion : There were considerable differences in root growth of cultivars. However, this results suggest that CP of 4-year-old is produced stably in some regions because it had a small coefficient of variation.

Background : Stable ginseng production is highly dependent on specific climate conditions. Recently, ginseng yield and quality are negatively affected by climate changes, particularly global warming. Thus, it is imperative to apply a new systematic cultivation method and to develop new varieties with enhanced heat resistance to cope with elevated temperatures. Up to date, ginseng breeding program has mainly focused on the quantity and process ability of red ginseng. New varieties with increased resistance to diverse abiotic stresses need to be developed. Methods and Results : In this study, 13 varieties and 100 germplasms were screened for resistance to heat stress. To measure heat resistance, seedlings were transplanted to a pot 3 times in threes. Two months later, the pot was placed in a temperature chamber at 46℃ for 1 hour, a critical condition that ginseng appears to stop cellular respiration. After waiting for 1 day, the pot was examined for survival rate and fluorescent reaction. Fluorescent reaction was tested according to Nedbal et al. (2000) and Park et al. (2010) and with an image fluorometer. After testing chlorophyll fluorescent reaction, Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm and Rfd were used as screening indices for high temperature resistance. It was found that the adequate values for Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm and Rfd were over 2.2, over 0.55 and over 0.8, respectively. Also, the degree of the above-ground damage is investigated in the 4-year old field. Under our heat stress conditions, susceptible varieties (Chunpoong) and germplasm lines showed drooping and wilting leaf phenotypes, whereas the leaves of a resistant line (named Eumseong 11) remained healthy. Eumseong 11 had the highest values with 2.3, 0.61 and 0.98 in fluorescent test. In addition, compared to the susceptible lines which were wilted in 4-year old field, no detrimental phenotypes were observed in Eumseong 11. Conclusion : ‘Eumseong11’ was selected as a superior line with increased resistance to heat stress. We are now testing how Eumseong11 responds to other abiotic stresses. Our effort will contribute to increase the farmers' income.

Background : The P. ginseng breeding line G07006, was selected for salt tolerance through salinity screening of mature leaves at the NIHHS of the RDA in 2014-2016. However, it is difficult to maintain a genetically stable breeding line of cross-pollinating crop in the field. Therefore molecular marker required to identify and maintain breeding line G07006. Methods and Results : DNA was extracted following the CTAB DNA extraction protocol (Doyle and Doyle, 1987) with modifications. A pair-end (PE) library was constructed and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform by Lab Genomics, Inc. (Seongnam, Korea). Approximately 4.0 Gb of sequencing data were obtained, and de novo assembled by a CLC genome assembler(v. beta 4.6, CLC Inc., Rarhus, Denmark). The complete chloroplast(CP) genome size is 156,356 bp, including two inverted repeats (IRs) of 52,060 bp, separated by the large single-copy (LSC 86,174 bp) and small single-copy (SSC 18,122 bp) regions. This CP genome encodes 114 unigenes (80 protein-coding genes, four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes), in which 18 are duplicated in the IR regions. Conclusion : This complete chloroplast DNA sequence will provide conducive to discriminate line G070006 (salt-tolerant) and further enhancing genetic improvement program of this important medical plant.

Background : Ginseng root rot caused by soil-borne pathogens, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium solani, is a major factors of replanting failure in ginseng cultivation. Some of the phenolic compounds detected in the soil of commercially cultivated American ginseng could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of American ginseng. Our study is to investigate the causes of replanting failure of ginseng by overhead flooding treatment and soil incorporation of ginseng fine root in soil infected with root rot pathogens. Methods and Results : To make soil occurring continuous cropping injury, 2-year-old ginseng infected with Cylindrocarpon destructans replanted in soil cultivated ginseng for 5 years. Treatment are as follows: 1) control, 2) water of 2ℓ was irrigate infected soil of 20ℓ, 3) ginseng fine root of 20g was mixed with infected soil of 20ℓ. Soil pH was increased, while other inorganic components were significantly reduced by overhead flooding treatment. Soil incorporation of ginseng fine root decreased soil pH, but increased EC, NO3, P2O5 and K, meanwhile, did not affected changes in organic matter, calcium, magnesium, sodium. Irrigation treatment in soil occurring replanted failure promoted distinctly above-ground growth of ginseng, and inhibited the occurrence of root rot because inorganic nutrient like NO3, P2O5 and K were decreased to optimal levels, and the density of soil pathogens could be reduced. Growth of ginseng was not inhibited, while root rot was promoted by soil incorporation of ginseng fine root. Conclusion : Irrigation treatment was effective in promoting the growth of ginseng and inhibited root rot distinctly. Ginseng fine root remaining in the soil after ginseng harvest did not affect the above-ground growth of ginseng, while promoted the occurrence of root rot.

‘Haeoreum’, a new variety of Hibiscus syriacus was selected from the progenies of artificial breeding between ‘Bulkot’, as a mother plant, and ‘Wonhwa’, as a pollenizer, at the Korea Forest Research Institute in 2006. The preliminary, advanced and regional trials for evaluation and selection of this variety were carried out from 2012 to 2013. Investigated morphological characteristics showed that ‘Haeoreum’ is a simple flower type and has bell shape in open type of corolla. The diameter of flower is about 12.8mm, and the white petals are slightly folded each other. The length of red eye zone is very long, about 26.0mm. Leaf type is in oval shape, and leaf thickness, glossy level and the shape of leaf base is medium, medium and rounded, respectively. Its blooming period each year lasted more than 80 days, and the quantity of bloom is large in normal condition. In addition, it showed faster growth performance compared to the similar varieties, about 90cm per growing season in tree height. According to all these characteristics, the new variety ‘Haeoreum’ could be useful for large container plants or street trees.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs of approximately 21-nt which play important roles in regulating gene expression in plants. Although many miRNA studies have focused on a few model plants, the miRNAs and their target genes remain largely unknown in pepper, one of the most important crops cultivated worldwide. Here we employed high-throughput small RNA sequencing to extensively identify miRNAs in pepper from 10 different libraries, including leaf, stem, root, flower, and six developmental stage fruits. Based on bioinformatics pipeline, we successfully identified 29 and 35 families of conserved and novel miRNAs, respectively. We noticed that some miRNAs, whose targets were validated experimentally in this study, exhibited prominent changes in expression levels during fruit development stages. From the qRT-PCR analysis of the target mRNAs, including the SBP-transcription factor and F-box protein, we found that expression of these two target mRNAs gradually decreased in general during fruit development and was negatively correlated with the expression of their corresponding miRNAs. The validation of miRNA-directed cleavage of these target mRNAs, combined with the results of qRT-PCR analysis, likely suggests that some miRNAs in pepper may play a role in fruit development. Conclusively, our study first utilizes high-throughput sequencing to identify and characterize conserved and novel miRNAs and their targets in pepper, providing a basis for understanding the functional roles of miRNAs in pepper.

An unbalance of rice productions and consumptions caused serious problems in both of agricultural area and grain market of korea. In recently, various efforts for rice processing products such as rice noodles and rice wines are in progress to overcome the unstable rice market. Among them, waxy rice is predominant items in processing rice. However, varietal features of starch viscosity are not considered in the processing industries and rice breeding field. In this study, 12 waxy rices and 2 cultivars Ilmibyeo(japonica) and IR72(Indica) were studied for physicochemical and amylogram to characterize the use of waxy rices. The amylose contents of waxy rices were from 7.1 to 8.1% with soft gel consistency and relatively low alkali digestion value(1.4% KOH) compare to Ilmibyeo. In the amylogram analysis(RVU) of waxy rices, unlikely normal rices, very fast peak time(about 3.5 min.) was obtained compare to that of 6.2 min. of Ilmibyeo. And 2 to 3 groups were classified based on peak viscosity and consitency of RVU. Wangchal, Odorokimochi and Hangangchal showed relatively high peak viscosity seemed not suitable for rice cake due to the hardness speed. And most of waxy rices developed in korea were believed to be suitable for oil fried cakes(Hankwa) because of a certain grade of starch degradation speed. And Mochiminori and Midoromochi originated from japan could be a good sources in waxy rice breeding program to improve the cooking properties especially in slow down of hardness speed with very low peak viscosity, hot viscosity and cool viscosity.