Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a dioecious plant, although monoecious plants are bred in some cultivars for fiber or seed production. Recently, hemp has received attention for medicinal use with some cannabinoids, including cannabidiol. Self-fertilization for breeding inbred lines is difficult because of dioeciousness and anemophily in hemp. This experiment was conducted to develop a self-fertilization method by forming female flowers and seeds from male plants of dioecious hemp. To induce the formation of female flowers on male plants, 500 ㎎ L-1 of ethephon was sprayed on plants at soon, seven and fourteen days after primordia formation. The plant ratio of female flowers formation and the number of harvested seeds were increased by ethephon treatment. Female flowers of male plants have 5 stigmas in contrast to the dual stigma of female 1plants. Male plant seeds were lighter and smaller than those from female plants. Although the germination rate was lower than that of normal seeds from female plants, the seeds from male plants germinated to grow seedlings. Thus, we suggest that hemp plants should be treated with ethephon at soon after primordia formation to induce the formation of more female flowers on the male plants.

본 연구는 지황이 강원도 남부지역에서 재배가 가능한 대체 작목인지 평가하기 위해 수행하였다. 수량의 경우 음성 1,848 ㎏/10a, 정선 1,571 ㎏/10a, 평창 1,485 ㎏/10a로, 2015년부터 2017년 지황 평균 단수인 838 ㎏/10a보다 높게 나타났다. 또한, 지황은 근경 굵기가 15 ㎜ 전후가 되면 상품(上品)의 등급으로 팔리는데, 강원도 재배지역 모두 15 ㎜가 넘어 상품성(商品性) 에도 문제가 없었다. 그러므로 생산량과 품질 조건을 고려해 볼 때, 현재 강원도에서 지황 재배는 가능할 것으로 생각된다. 그러나 본 연구결과를 적용하기에는 강원도의 여러 제반 사항을 고려한 경제성 분석이 더 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

본 연구는 참당귀 재배 시에 발생하는 추대 참당귀를 부산물로 활용가능성이 있는지 평가하기 위해 수행하였다. 추대 참당귀의 지상부와 지하부의 총 무게는 수확기 비추대 참당귀의 지하부 무게 대비 약 98.5%로 높게 나타났다. 또한 추대 당귀의 decursin과 decursinol angelate의 총 함량은 주 생산품인 참당귀 신(身)의 지표성분 총 함량인 4.24%와 대비해 부위별로 0.64%~2.39%로 나타났으며, 이는 추출물로 이용 시 생산품 대비 15~56%에 해당하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 항상화 활성의 경우 추대 참당귀는 전반적으로 비추대 참당귀에 비해 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 추대 참당귀의 생산량, 지표성분 함량 그리고 항산화 활성 결과를 고려해 봤을 때, 추대 참당귀의 부산물은 사료 첨가제 및 화장품 용도의 추출물로 이용 가능성이 높은 것으로 생각된다.

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a traditional medicinal herb especially in Korea. It contains pyranocoumarins, which are major active components including decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA). This study was carried out to determine the change in active component content and antioxidant activity depending on the root diameter of AGN. Several processing steps are involved to use AGN roots as medicine. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root (MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. The recovery rates of each root parts per 100 ㎏ were measured as 32.3±2.5, 9.0±1.0, 39.3±2.1 and 15.0±1.0%, respectively and the mean diameters were measured as 51.95±4.55, 7.05±0.89, 2.88±0.49 and 1.57±0.32 ㎜. Two index components, D and DA, were analyzed. The change of both D and DA content showed a similar tendency. Both D and DA content were increased as the root diameter decreased (higher in TnR). In addition, antioxidant activity was higher in B and TnR, and lower in TkR and MR than control. This study showed that the thinner the root diameter, the higher the D and DA content in AGN roots and that TnR has excellent antioxidant activity compared to other root parts, suggesting that the thinner root part of AGN could be used as a potential material.

Background: Astragalus membranaceus belonging to the Leguminosae family is often utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the basic breeding information required to develop short stem A. membranaceus cultivars. Methods and Results: Roots of A. membranaceus advanced yield trial (AYT) lines were harvested in late October 2017. Root yield of six AYT lines were increased in a range of 8.9 - 74.8% compared with ‘Aseong’ as control (check variety). The height of seven AYT lines were shorter than that of ‘Aseong’. In addition, stem diameter of nine AYT lines was thicker than that of ‘Aseong’. Consequently, 1502-56, 1503-90, and 1510-80 were selected as elite lines for the development of short stem cultivars. HPLC analysis was perfromed to identify lines with high level active components such as calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and calycosin. The levels of both active components were higher in 1502-56, and 1503-90, but not in 1510-80 compared to ‘Aseong’. In addition, 2,2-Diphenyl- 1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was higher in the 1502-56 compared to ‘Aseong’. Considering these results, two AYT lines, 1502-56 and 1503-90 were selected as short stem lines with high calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and calycosin content. Conclusions: Taken together, Two short stem lines were identified in this study. In our future study, regional yield trial (RYT) will be conducted using these selected lines to develop new cultivars.

Background : Adenophora triphylla var japonica is a perennial herb that belongs to Campanulaceae. Radix Adenophorae is a dried rhizome of A. triphylla and same genus plant. It has contains chemicals such as cycloartenyl acetate, lupenone, β-sitosterol, taraxerone, octacosanoic acid, and praeruptorin A. Radix Adenophorae considered to be effective regulating humoral and cellular immunity, antimutation, restraining adenocarcinoma cell, strengthening cardiac function, allaying a fever, and easing pain and cough. In this study, we tried to establish a mass production system of A. triphylla which has high economic value as a medicinal herb by plant tissue culture in order to cultivate standard varieties. Methods and Results : In this study, A. triphylla internode was used as a explant and it was surface sterilized by 1% sodium hypochlorite for 5 minutes, consequently several times washed with ddH2O. Further it was placed in to MS medium including with axillary bud. The 1/2MS, B5, SH was used in this research. And the plant growth regulator of 0.1 - 2 ㎎/ℓ auxins (NAA, IBA) and cytokines (BA) were used respectively to achieve multiple shoots. The whole study was carried out in the department of Herbal crop research, Eumseong, RDA. Conclusion : In this study we obtained, 6.2 multi-shoots per an explant, and the shoot growth was also favorable in the presence of 1.0 ㎎/ℓ BA and 1.0 ㎎/ℓ IBA.

Background : Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort is a perennial herb of the Umbelliferae family and an important traditional oriental medicinal plant. The compounds contained in L. chuanxiong can be divided into five kinds, essential oil, alkaloids, phenolic acids, phthalide lactones, and other constituents. These compounds have cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, antioxidants, neuroprotection, anti-fibrinolytic, antidotes, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. In this study, we anticipated to establish the in vitro propagation system of L. chuanxiong, which is a high economic value as medicinal herb, by plant tissue culture to solve the problem of root stocks contamination. Methods and Results : The whole study was carried out in the department of Herbal crop research, Eumseong, RDA. In this study, L. chuanxiong nodes was used as an explant and it was surface sterilized by 2% sodium hypochlorite for 1 minutes, then washed with ddH2O several times. Further the surface sterilized nodes were placed on MS basal media. Multiple shoots were induced on MS, SH, WPM media with 0.1 - 2 ㎎/ℓ auxin (NAA, IBA) and cytokine (BA). In this study we obtained 4.6 multi-shoots per an explant, and growth of the shoot was also favorable in the presence of 1.0 ㎎/ℓ BA. Subsequent transfer of these regenerated shoots on 1/2 MS media resulted in root formation. The rooted plantlets were able to grow in soil after 3 weeks of acclimatization. Conclusion : The optimal conditions for in vitro propagation of L. chuanxiong were established through this experiment.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) has been utilized as a traditional medicine in Asia. However, the development of varieties is limited and the climate is changing gradually. Therefore, it is required to develop a superior lineage suitable for this. So we have secured several species, and it is necessary to confirm the cytotoxicity of various kinds of cells for its safety and to secure safety for further utilization. Methods and Results : 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were collected from Rural Development Administration (RDA) at Eumseong of Chungcheongbuk-do and national farmhouse. They were cultivated in test-research farm in RDA and used as materials. Human (THP-1 cell, human leukemia monocytic cell line) and rodent-derived immune cells (RAW264.7, murine monocyte/macrophage cell line) and hepatocytes (HepG2, human liver cell line) were used to assess cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity was determined by using MTT assay. As a result of evaluation of cytoxicity, 11 cultivars and 21 lineages of RG were not shown cytotoxicity range from 250 - 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentration in THP-1 cell, RAW264.7 cell and HepG2 cell. Conclusion : Development of RG with superior lineage suitable for changing climate is required. We selected a good lineage (21 ea), and result of the cytotoxicity evaluation from low to high concentrations in immune- and liver-derived cells, there was no toxicity at all. Therefore, if these excellent lineages are distributed to farmers, they can help farmers. And it can help research on immunity and liver function in the future.

Background : Astragalus membranaceus belonging to the family of Leguminosae have been utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to elucidate the basic information for breeding to superior Astragalus membranaceus cultivar. Methods and Results : Selection lines were developed by the medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA). The root of A. membranaceus lines were harvested in late October 2017. Calycosin-7-O-β-d-glucoside and calycosin were anlyzed by HPLC. The root yield of six selection lines were increased 8.9 - 74.8% compared with ‘Aseong’ (check variety). Also, the plant height of seven selection lines were shorter than ‘Aseong’. The calycosin–7-O-β -d-glucoside content was higher in six selection lines than ‘Aseong’. The calycosin content was higher in all selection lines except 1 line (1508 - 03) than that of ‘Aseong’. Conclusion : Three superior lines with short height and high yield were selected. These superior lines will conduct advanced yield trial to make varieties.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. This study was breeding of R. glutinosa cultivar with insect tolerance and high-yielding. Methods and Results : ‘Chunggang’ is developed by the medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science (NIHHS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), during the period from 2005 to 2017. The reproduction of Rehmannia glutinosa has been accomplished mainly by vegetative propagation with its seedlings. This cultivar was selected from seedling of RG10. The plant type of Chungang is some rising from ground. Regional yield trials conducted at three site from 2016 to 2017. The root yield of ‘Chunggang’ was 22.3 ton per hectare, which was increased 11% compared with ‘Jihwang 1’ (check variety). Also, ‘Chunggang’ has higher insect tolerance compared with ‘Jihwang 1’. Conclusion : ‘Chunggang’ is a insect tolerance and high-yielding Rehmannia glutinosa cultivar.

Background : Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. This study was conducted to evaluate the appropriateness through seedling cultivation of R. glutinosa. Methods and Results : The root of R. glutinosa cultivar (Jihwang 1) was harvested in the middle of March. Seed rhizomes were seedling after air curing for three days. And seed rhizomes were plug seedlings for 30 days (30D), 45 days (45D) and 60 days (60D) then planted in the test field. Mat formation rate in 30D, 45D and 60D was 81.3, 100 and 100% respectively. Flowering occurred only in 45D and 60D except 30D. Flowering rate of 45D and 60D were 7.3 ± 3.06 and 13.3 ± 1.15%. Agronomic characteristics were evaluated in comparison with ND (directly seeded group). As a results, aerial parts of 30D in plant height, leaf length and leaf width were better than other treatment group but the number of leaf per plant was statistically the same. Also, root shape was similar when comparing ND and seedling groups. Conclusion : Taken together, it is thought that the cultivation of R. glutinosa. seedlings is possible. However, further evaluation of the economic aspect is needed.

The use of Rehmannia glutinosa of the family Scrophulariaceae, in traditional medicine is well known. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of air curing of the seed rhizome of R. glutinosa on its storability and yield. Methods and Results: The root of the R. glutinosa cultivar (Dagang) was harvested in at the end of November. The seed rhizomes were air cured for one to seven days. They were subsequently wrapped with newspaper and further stored in a plastic container at 1℃. It was observed that the weight loss and decay rates were significantly lower in the air cured seeds than in the untreated ones. Moreover, the decay rate of the control was approximately 50%, 120 days after storage. However. the decay rate of all the air cured treatment groups was less than 1%. Additionally, air curing led to an increase in the germination rate of the seeds and the root yield when compared with the untreated groups. Taken together, the ideal treatment period for air curing was found to be 3 days. Under these conditions, the germination rate and yield were 88.7% and 2,185 ㎏/10a, respectively. Conclusions: This study successfully demonstrated that the air curing of seed rhizomes can lead to a considerable increase in the storability and yield of R. glutinosa.

Background: Angelica gigas Nakai is a perennial herb belonging to the family Umbelliferae. Its roots are utilized in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to increase the yield of and the content of two indicator components (decursin and decursinol angelate) in A. gigas Nakai. Methods and Results: The roots of A. gigas Nakai were harvested 4-times from late August to late October in 2017. Two agents (trace element-TE, and plant hormone-HM) were applied 4 times at intervals of 2 weeks. The content of the two indicator components were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The HM treatment showed the greatest increase in underground part yield and root diameter. The content of the two indicator components in the control (non-treatment) group was the highest in the underground part, but was higher in the aerial parts in the agent treatment group. After treatment with the agents, the content of the indicator components tended to decrease in the underground part. However, the total content of the indicator components in the two agent treatment groups exceeded the level of 6% set by the Korean Pharmacopoeia. Conclusions: The highest underground part yield was found in the HM treatment group, while the highest content of decursin and decursinol angelate were found in the control group. This study provides basic information for yield improvement in A. gigas.