The effects of seed soaking treatment with the solutions of plant growth regulators IAA, GA3 and BAP on seed germination and shoot and bulb growth of Allium victorialis var. platyphyllum (Korean wild garlic) were determined. A significant variation in the seed germination rate was recorded at all treatments for various soaking periods. Maximum seed germination was obtained when seeds were soaked in IAA or GA3 solution at 200 mg L-1. The MAP treated seeds started to germinate after 3 months. Among treatments, IAA was found to be most effective in improving seed germination, but further seedling growth was not correlated to the soaking time. Seed soaking in IAA or GA3 solution enhanced further growth of seedlings compared with water control treatment. Shoot and bulb growth was highest in GA3 treatments.

The influence of the culture media on the growth and catechins and caffeine production was investigated in adventitious root cultures of tea tree. The growth rate of adventitious roots was higher than that of solid medium. Growth rate of adventitious roots was noted to be optimal in N6 liquid medium. Yields of (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and caffeine were the highest when adventitious root cultures were maintained in Nitsch and B5 liquid medium, respectively. The production of (-)-epicatechin (EC) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from adventitious roots was maximal when cultured in 1/2MS liquid medium. The adventitious root extracts of tea tree produced on catechins as EC (20.77 mg/g) and EGCG (1.84 mg/g) in 1/2MS medium; EGC (24.39 mg/g) and caffeine (12.97 mg/g) in B5 medium and (-)-epigallocatechin (ECG) (2.16 mg/g) in Nitsch liquid medium.

‘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.