The use of functional markers, it is expected to make direct identification about genetic diversity at DNA level and overcome the problem of recombination /linkage. These markers can be used to identify interesting alleles in a breeding program and indirectly select for the trait, saving money, time and labor. Bacterial blight of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzaepv. Oryzae is a destructive disease in rice production worldwide. No bactericide is effective to control the bacterial blight disease yet. Xa3, which is a gene conferring resistance to BB of the rice plant has been previously characterized by map-based cloning. We have cloned and sequenced the Xa3/xa3 gene in Korean cultivar, Hwayoung, Ilmi and Goun with gene specific primers. Our work detected polymorphisms and PCR-based allele specific SNP markers were developed. Susceptible or resistant individuals from an F2 population developed from across between Milyang244 and Ilmi, Korean germplasms and near isogenic lines carrying BB resistance genes were screened with allele specific markers. We found that the genotype completely matched their phenotype to BB using ASP-primers. These markers could be effective to marker-assisted selection for the Xa3 gene in rice breeding programs.

Geneally, rice seeds regardless indica or japonica are showing low germination ratio or completely lost germination ability together with lost of good eating quality under high temperature and humidity conditions. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate a longevity for conservation of good eating quality during long term storage in rice. For the longevity evaluation, germination ability was studied after 5 days of high temperature and humidity stress (50℃/RH 95%). Dharial, originated from Bangladesh and showing weedy type with red pericarp, was selected as a good donor for longevity genes. A mutant was developed from Dharial through EMS mutagenesis and two populations of Dharial/4*Ilmibyeo and Dharial/4*Gopumbyeo were also developed for genetic study. In the 2-DE analysis followed by MALDI-TOF MS with wild and mutant lines, several candidate genes were identified. In the longevity test of two populations, a few lines showing good germination ability after high temperature and humidity stress were selected and subjected to confirm the relationships between longevity and conservation of good eating quality under long term storage.

Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world as one of the staple food. For the use of natural dye, we have done some researches about sorghum red pigments extracted from stalk and leaves on its physiochemical properties, extracting methods and applications. The researches involved maximum extraction of sorghum pigment and analysis of its processing condition. Total polyphenol and tannin contents were measured by varieties and different plant parts. The stabilities of pigment by irradiation and heat treatment for processing were measured by colorimeter and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, hybrid nano-silica composites with sorghum pigment were made by combining with polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and sodium silicate. Water silica hybrids with sorghum pigment were performed by emulsion treatment. Nano-silica particles were identified and measured their size to be about 200 ~ 400 nm by SEM analysis.

Amylose content of rice endosperm is one of the determinants of rice eating quality. This study was conducted to elucidate the mode of inheritance of dull gene in Milyang262, tentatively designated as du7(t), and to identify the molecular marker for du7(t) to be employed in marker-assisted breeding and gene pyramiding. Genetic analysis was carried out on F2 population derived from a cross between Junam and Milyang262. The low amylose content of Milyang262 was indicated to be under single recessive control. Allelism tests were as well conducted by crossing Milyang262 with Baegjinju and Baegokchal, which harbor du1 and wx gene, respectively. du7(t) was demonstrated to be inherited independently to du1 and wx. F2 population of Baegokchal/Milyang262 was used for molecular mapping. Linkage analysis was conducted on a population consisted of 120 individuals by several SSR markers. Initial mapping indicated that du7(t) is located on the end of long arm of chromosome 6 between SSR marker RM20590 and RM3509. To fine map the gene, a bigger population and several additional markers were employed. du7(t) was further mapped to a 1.74 Mb region between two SSR markers (RM6926 and RM412). Furthermore, we indentified three SSR markers that co-segregated with du(t) i.e. RM6811, RM3765, and RM176.

To tolerate environmentally adverse conditions such as cold, drought, and salinity, plants often synthesize and accumulate proline in cells as compatible osmolytes. δ1 -Pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase(P5CS) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of proline biosynthesis from glutamate. Two complete genes, MtP5CS1 and MtP5CS2, were isolated from the model legume Medicago truncatula by cDNA cloning and bacterial artificial chromosome library screening. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that both genes consisted of 20 exons and 19 introns. Alignment of the predicted amino acid sequences revealed high similarities with P5CS proteins from other plant species. The two MtP5CS genes were expressed in response to high salt and low temperature treatments. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that MtP5CS1 was expressed earlier than MtP5CS2, indicating differential regulation of the two genes. To evaluate the reverse genetic effects of nucleotide changes on MtP5CS function, a Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes approach was taken. Three mutants each were isolated for MtP5CS1 and MtP5CS2, of which a P5CS2 nonsense mutant carrying a codon change from arginine to stop was expected to bring translation to premature termination. These provide a valuable genetic resource with which to determine the function of the P5CS genes in environmental stress responses of legume crops.

In Korea, chilli pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is a major vegetable crop. The pepper seed market is about $35 million and the whole sale market including processed products is equivalent to $2 billion, representing the second highest market value among crops, next to rice in Korea. Since the development of elite pepper variety is so competitive, vegetable seed companies usually run two important programs to keep the credibility of seed quality. One program is to deliver F1 hybrid seeds with a high purity test to farmers. The purity control of parents and F1 hybrid to avoid any contamination is conducted by DNA markers because pepper seeds are obtained using MS line. The other program is to identify the F1 variety from other varieties by analyzing the polymorphism so that the company and/or breeder protects the intellectual property from copying by others or from non-intentional contamination. We have developed about 900 EST-SSR sets from pepper and used to both programs. A total of 66 markers were selected to identify 32 F1 varieties and their own parents. Using these markers, the purity control of F1 hybrid rose up to the highest degree. We also found several SSR markers to distinguish F1 variety from other varieties and these markers could be useful to find the uniqueness of F1 cultivar.

The level of β-glucan which is a major soluble dietary fiber found in the grain endosperm cell wall was highly variable among 25 barley genotypes grown at four locations including Suwon, Naju, Jinju, and Jeju. Statistically significant genotypic effects were observed for β-glucan content at each or across growing sites (P<0.001). On average, 'Chalssalbori' showed the lowest percentage β-glucan (4.04%) among genotypes in the grain, whereas 'Yonezawa Mochi' was highest in percentage β-glucan (6.46%) compared to other genotypes. The significant difference between genotypes was approximately 1-2% across environments. The effects of location or interaction between locations and genotypes were not significant on the variation of β-glucan contents. High β-glucan content seemed to be greatly associated with such grain traits as waxiness and presence of husk except for 'Chalssalbori'. The waxy genotypes had a mean of 5.37% and values ranging from 5.28 to 5.47%, but normal genotypes had a mean of 4.78% and values ranging from 4.69 to 4.88% over environments. Hulless barley genotypes were also higher than hulled barley genotypes for the average β-glucan content in both individual and over all environments. The difference between the hulled and hulless gene pools was on average of 0.37% with ranges from 0.19% to 0.56% at four environments. β-glucan content measured from a mapping population of F5 -derived 107 lines derived from the cross between 'Yonezawa Mochi' and 'Neulssalbori' was not significantly associated with other agronomic traits except for 1,000-kernel weight at the '01 Suwon environment. Not too much information on the relationship of β-glucan content to agronomic traits was available.