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.

“Greenstar”, a new Saxifraga cultivar was bred by crossing between “Geumgongjak” with green (YG145C) petals and “Rokseon” with red purple (RP62A) petals in 2003. The selection and flower characterization were conducted from 2003 to 2006 in greenhouses of the National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering of “Greenstar” starts on September 17 for 36 days and the number of flowers per plant was about 290. The flower color is a green (G142C) and the number of petals was 5. Flower width is 2.1 cm and flower length is 1.9 cm. “Greenstar” can be used for pot flower. Fifty percent shading is a good cultural practice against direct sunlight and soft rot disease would occur usually by over-irrigation.

A new Saxifraga cultivar “Snowmaple” was bred by crossing between “Jeokhoamugab” with red purple (RP68B) petals and “Hongsaja” with red purple (RPN66A) petals. The selection and flower characterization were conducted from 2004 to 2006 in greenhouse of the National Institute of Highland Agriculture. The flowering of “Snowmaple” starts on October 9 for 16 days, The number of flowers per plant was 315 with strong concurrent flowering habit. The flower shows red purple (RP62C) at opening, but It turns gradually changable from red purple to white. The flower has 5 petals, and the size is 2.0 cm in width and 2.3 cm in length. “Snowmaple” can be used for pot flower. Fifty percent shading is a good cultural practice against direct sunlight and soft rot disease would occurs usually by over-irrigation.