We aimed to predict the Italian ryegrass (IRG) productivity change of introduced and domestic varieties based on climate factors and identify suitable areas for IRG cultivation using the RCP 8.5 scenario. The minimum mean air temperature in January showed the highest correlation with productivity. The ratio of possible and low productivity areas was high in Gangwondo, and the ratio of suitable and best suitable areas was relatively high in the central and southern regions in the past 30 years. The change in the IRG cultivation area was found to be 26.9% in the best suitable area between 1981–2010 but increased significantly to 88.9% between 2090s. In the IRG suitability comparison classes between domestic and introduced cultivars, the ratio of suitable and best suitable areas was relatively high in the domestic varieties during the past 30 years. However, there is almost no difference between the IRG domestic and introduced varieties in the IRG suitability classes after the 2050s. These results can predict changes in the IRG suitability classes between domestic and introduced cultivars according to the climate change scenario, but there are limitations in accurately predicting the productivity of IRG because the results may vary depending on other environmental factors.

To identify whether higher expression of carboxylesterase (CbE) E4 in Myzus persicae is due to gene duplication, gene copy number was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, to determine the actual protein concentration of CbE E4 and it activity, Western blotting and activity staining were conducted. CbE gene copy number was highly correlated with carbamate resistance ratio (r2=0.934). However, CbE E4 expression level was little correlated with insecticide resistance ratio (r2<0.046) and no apparent correlation was observed among the gene copy number, protein quantity and total activity of CbE E4. Therefore, it was assumed that not only quantitative changing but also qualitative alteration of CbE E4 occurred in M. persicae. To investigate any potential alteration of CbE E4, mutation survey was conducted by sequencing of CbE E4 from various local strains of M. persicae. G137D and W251L mutations have been known as the main mutations associated with structural change leading to resistance. Interestingly, a new G134C mutation, which is in proximity of G137D mutation, was identified in the oxyanion hole of CbE E4. To predict the functional role of this mutation in resistance, 3-dimensional structure modeling was conducted. In summary, CbE E4 appears to be involved in resistance to both pyrethroids and carbamates as a nonspecific hydrolase or sequestration protein in M. persicae.

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is a cosmopolitan pest of agricultural and horticultural crops and causes serious economic damages. M. persica has rapidly developed resistance to a wide variety of insecticides, including pyrethroids. Target site insensitivity mechanism mediated by two mutations (L1014F and M918T) on the para-type voltage-sensitive sodium channel (vssc) is mainly responsible for pyrethroid resistance. To predict the vssc resistance allele frequency, quantitative sequencing (QS) protocol was established. Frequency prediction equations generated from the plots of signal ratios and amplification critical time showed a high correlation coefficient (r2>0.993), indicating its high accuracy in prediction. QS results revealed that the kdr-type L1014F mutation is only present in Pyeongchang strain. No field strains of M. persicae possessed the super-kdr type M918T mutation. However, a novel M918L mutation was found by genotyping approach. The allele frequencies of M918L and L1014F were 0% to 53% in populations examined, and the level of M918L mutation frequency was closely related with pyrethroid resistance. Therefore, QS-based detection of M918L mutation frequency should faciltate the monitoring of pyrethroid resistance in the field.

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is a serious pest of agricultural and horticultural crops all over the world. M. persica has rapidly developed resistance to a wide variety of insecticides, including carbamates. The E4/FE4 carboxylesterase is known to be involved in carbamate resistance. To compare the E4/FE4 carboxylesterase gene copy number, as a genetic resistance marker, between seven field strains, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed. In addition, quantitative sequencing (QS) was employed to predict the frequencies of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) mutations (A301S and S431F) that are associated with target site insensitivity. All M. persica strains examined possessed the S431F mutation in the heterozygous state except for a susceptible strain, implying the possibility of AChE duplication. In contrast, no A301S mutation was found. Frequency prediction equation was generated from the plots of signal ratios and amplification critical time, which showed a high correlation (r2>0.996). QS analysis of M. persicae populations revealed that the allele frequency of S431F ranged 4% to 63%. Taken together, the AChE resistance allele frequencies determined by QS and the E4/FE4 gene copy number by qPCR should facilitate the detection and monitoring of carbamate resistance in M. persicae in the field.

Rhynchium brunneum is a widely distributed wasp species in South Eastern Asia. R. brunneum females were collected from rural provinces of Cambodia, and their total RNA and venom were extracted on site. To search for novel substances in venom, a subtracted cDNA library specific to the venom gland and sac was constructed. A total of 1118 expressed sequenced sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced and assembled into 349 contigs (107 multiple sequences and 242 singletons). In this result, we found the putative neurotoxin (DTX protein precursor), antimicrobial peptides (teratocyte-specific caboxylesterase) together with typical major components of wasp venom (venom hyaluronidase, arginine kinase, phospholipase A2, serine/theonine protein phosphatase). Additional in-depth annotation would be required for further characterization of many unidentified genes found in the EST library.

The dissemination process of agricultural research and development (R&D) results has somewhat different characteristics from that of typical R&D results. However, these characteristics are not adequately considered on the basis of an examination of the current performance system, the resulting management plans, and strategies for the application and dissemination of the results of agricultural R&D in Korea. The performance evaluation indicator exposed the problem of the inadequate consideration of the characteristics of each of these areas, particularly the lack of unified R&D-related institutions and the inadequacy of the system to monitor outcomes. To address these shortcomings in the agricultural R&D programs in Korea, the policies pertaining to agricultural R&D performance, results management, and dissemination in the U.S. and Japan were examined. Based on these investigations, we proposed strategies to improve the agricultural R&D policies in Korea.

Vespa tropica is a tropical species of Vespa found in Southeast Asia. V. tropica wasps were collected from rural provinces of Cambodia, and their total RNA and venom were extracted on site. To search for novel substances in venom, a subtracted cDNA library specific to the venom gland and sac was constructed and venom protein was analyzed by nano-LC-MS/MS. A total of 1127 expressed sequenced sequence tags (ESTs) were sequenced and assembled into 572 contigs (152 multiple sequences and 420 singletons). The short venom peptides were identified to be encoded from 5 contigs (43 ESTs) by proteomic analysis. In addition, putative antimicrobial peptides together with typical major components of wasp venom (venom allergen 5, mastoparan-like peptide, serine protease, and hyaluronidase) were identified in the EST Library. Additional in-depth annotation would be required for further characterization of many unidentified genes found in the EST library.

Insects or insect remains found in beer are one of major issues in consumer claim. Accurate estimation of inflow time isa critical factor for the settlement of such claims related with beer-contaminating insects but no reliable methods have been developed. In an attempt to establish a molecular marker-based diagnostic method, the degradation rates of 18S rRNA genes in the insectssoaked in 500 ml beer were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) over one month period at room temperature. Among the six insect species tested, the house fly (Musca domestica) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) revealed high correlations (r2=0.974-0.990) between the degradation of 18S rRNA gene and inflow time. In these insects, statistically significant distinction was possible between the samples stored in beer less than 14 days and more than 14 days. Other insects, including the fruit fly, common house mosquito, German cockroach and Indian meal moth, displayed poor correlations, which appeared attributed to the inefficient genomic DNA extraction likely due to small sample size or disintegration of body parts during storage in beer. With proper improvement in DNA extraction, this 18S rRNA-based diagnostic method would be applicable for estimating the inflow time of beer-contaminating insects.