Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) is an important medicinal tree found in northeast Asia. In this study, we analyzed the genome-wide distribution of microsatellites in E. senticosus. By sequencing 711 clones from an SSR-enriched genomic DNA library, we obtained 12 polymorphic SSR markers, which also revealed successful amplicons in E. senticosus accessions. Using the developed SSR markers, we estimated genetic diversity and population structure among 131 E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 11, with an average of 7.4 alleles. The mean values of observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.59 and 0.56, respectively. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.51 in all 131 E. senticosus accessions. E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China showed a close genetic similarity. Significantly low pairwise genetic divergence was observed between the two regions, suggesting a relatively narrow level of genetic basis among E. senticosus accessions. Our results not only provide molecular tools for genetic studies in E. senticosus but are also helpful for conservation and E. senticosus breeding programs.

Rural Development Administration has recently developed mid-late maturing rice cultivars with high quality. This study was conducted to select suitable mid-late maturing rice cultivar in major cultivation areas of Gangwon Province among domestic breeding cultivars for 2 years from 2013 to 2014. The average air temperature during the experiment in 2013 and 2014 was higher 0.6~1.1°C in Chuncheon, 1.0~ 1.3°C in Gangreung, and 0.1~0.7°C in Cheolwon than normal year. Precipitation in ripening period was higher 52.5 mm in 2013, but lower 176.4 mm in 2014 than normal year in Chuncheon, lower 103.1 mm in 2013 and higher 42.9 mm in 2014 in Gangreung, lower 225.9~322.7 mm in Cheolwon. Duration of sunshine in ripening period was higher 142 hours in Chuncheon, 108 hours in Gangreung, and 94 hours in Cheolwon than normal year in 2013, higher 20~21 hours in Chuncheon and Gangreung, and 82 hours in Cheolwon than normal year in 2014. Milled rice yield of ‘Samgwangbyeo’ and ‘Daebobyeo’ was 594 kg per 10a, and 578 kg for ‘Jinsumibyeo’ in Chuncheon in plain area. For Gangreung in east coastal area, the yield of ‘Daebobyeo’ was 555 kg per 10a, ‘Hopumbyeo’ was 554 kg, and ‘Chilbobyeo’ was 546 kg. For Cheolwon in mid-mountainous area, the yield was 504 kg per 10a for ‘Daebobyeo’ and 489 kg for ‘Haiamibyeo’. But there was no difference in milled rice yield among cultivars tested in the study at each area. Head rice ratio of ‘Haiamibyeo’, ‘Jinsumibyeo’, and ‘Mipumbyeo’ in Chuncheon was 94.2~95.6% higher than the other cultivars. In Gangreung head rice ratio of ‘Hopumbyeo’, ‘Haiamibyeo’, and ‘Samgwangbyeo’ were 85.2~88.3% but there was no difference among cultivars except ‘Gopumbyeo’ and broken rice ratio of ‘Haiamibyeo’, ‘Samgwangbyeo’, and ‘Mipumbyeo’ were low as 7.5~8.5% and palatability of ‘Mipumbyeo’ was higher than the other cultivars. Head rice ratio of ‘Daebobyeo’ was the highest as 89.2% and there was no difference in broken and chalky rice ratio and palatability among cultivars in Cheolwon. Considering rice yield and quality in major cultivation areas of Gangwon Province, suitable mid-late maturing rice cultivars were ‘Samgwangbyeo’, ‘Haiamibyeo’, and ‘Jinsumibyeo’ in Chuncheon, ‘Daebobyeo’ and ‘Chilbobyeo’ in Gangreung, and ‘Daebobyeo’ and ‘Haiamibyeo’ in Cheolwon. The results obtained in the study imply that the selected cultivars with high yield and quality and suitability to Chuncheon, Gangreung, and Cheolwon, respectively could be recommended to rice cultivating farmers in the regions with high priority.