In this study, the concentrations of isoflavones, anthocyanins and total phenol content (TPC) in 19 soybean mutant lines changed seed coat color from yellow to black or brown were determined. Among 19 soybean mutant lines, 5 soybean mutant lines with black pigment were detected 3 anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O-β-D-glucoside, D3G; cyaniding 3-O-β -D-glucoside, C3G; petunidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside, Pt3G). The highest concentration of anthocyanins among 5 soybean mutant lines was D-16 (1280.0 ± 19.4 mg/100g seed coat) derived from cv. Danbaek. Although isoflavone contents of all soybean mutant lines showed lower levels compared to original cultivars, glycitein was detected only 5 soybean mutant lines (DP-37-2, DP-38, DP-39, DP-40, and DP-41 derived from cv. Daepung). In TPC of 19 soybean mutant lines, DP-10 was increase levels compared to original cultivar, while DP-37-2, DP-40, and DP-41 were decrease levels of TPC. Using reduction of DPPH, we measured the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) among 19 soybean mutant lines. Five black and 4 brown soybean mutants showed significant increase in FRSA. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that gamma irradiation may change the isoflavone, anthocyanin, and total phenol contents of soybean. These mutant lines using in this study can be useful for the breeding of soybean varieties altering the nutritional values.

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaudich.) is a hardy perennial herbaceous plant of the Urticaceae family and has been grown as a fiber crop in several countries including Korea for many centuries. Ramie leaves also have been traditionally used as a major ingredient of a type of rice cake called ‘Song-pyun’ in the Southwest area of Korea, especially Yeong-Gwang province. Despite its economic importance, the molecular genetics of ramie have not been studied in detail yet. Genetic resources of ramie were widely collected from domestic local sites by Bioenergy Crop Research Center (RDA) and Yeong-Gwang Agricultural Technology Center. For the systematic and efficient management of the genetic resources, we developed microsatellite molecular markers of ramie. To do this, we generated microsatellite-enriched genomic DNA libraries using magnetic bead hybridization selection method. 216 contigs containing microsatellite repeat motif were generated using nucleotide sequences of 376 clones from the libraries. Primer sets were designed from the flanking sequences of the repeat motif. Finally, we selected 26 microsatellite markers, possibly showing polymorphism among the genetic resources. Results on the genotype analysis of the ramie genetic resources using the microsatellite markers will be presented.

To determine the expression levels of genes related to the salt stress response in rice, gene expression profiles were investigated through microarray analysis using the rice mutant line Till-II-877. There were no significant changes in physiological response under salt stress of the mutant increased less than that in the WT. The intensity of gene expression was analyzed and compared between the wild type and mutant lines using a microarray. Among the most significantly affected pathways, α-linolenic acid metabolism and linoleic acid metabolism (in lipid metabolism), fructose and mannose metabolism and glycolysis-gluconeogenesis (in carbohydrate metabolism), cysteine and methionine metabolism (in amino acid metabolism), and carbon fixation (in the energy metabolism of photosynthetic organisms) showed changes in gene expression levels under salt stress. These results further our understanding of the effects of salt stress in rice and may aid in the development of salt-tolerant rice cultivars.

Soluble sugar content in soybean seed is an important quality attribute for soyfood and feed. Usually, soluble sugars comprise 6 to 17% of total dry wt. in mature soybean seeds. In this study, 414 soybean mutant lines induced by gamma-ray were screened by colormetric assay, FACE (Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis), and GC-MS to identify the change of soluble sugar contents. Among 414 soybean mutant lines, 12 mutant lines derived from three different soybean cultivars (Hwanggum, Paldal, and Bangsa) showed higher level of soluble sugar content compared to their original cultivars. However, 5 mutant lines derived from soybean landrace KAS 636-15 showed lower level in the colormetric assay. In FACE, 17 soybean mutant lines selected by colormetric assay also showed different band intensity compared with their original cultivars. However, there were no different soluble sugar patterns between soybean original cultivars and mutant lines. Finally, the variations of soluble sugar content in 17 soybean mutant lines were confirmed by using GC-MS. These mutant lines will be used for genetic study to find mutations of genes related soluble sugar biosynthesis.

A new bright white gladiolus “White Lace” was released by the National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) in 2004. A cross was made between late flowering white cultivar “White Goddess” and vigorous white cultivar “Amsterdam”. It was crossed in 1999 and finally selected in 2004 after investigation of the characteristics for 5 years from 2000 to 2004. “White Lace” has a bright white color and multi-flowering florets more than 20 florets with good simultaneous flowering more than 8 florets. This cultivar is middle flowering without stem bending. It has good production of cormlets, vigorous growth and resistant to virus, Fusarium and Thrips. The width of “White Lace” flower is 11.5 cm. The plant height is 137cm. Days to flowering of “White Lace” is average 93days in summer season.

A new light green seed coat Azuki bean cultivar, "Yeonkeum" was developed at the National Institute of Crop Science(NICS) and the Yeongnam Agricultural Research Institute (YARI) in 2005. Yeonkeum was selected from the cross between Jaja-sodun and "IT12099