Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a major winter forage crop requiring improved drought tolerance under climate change. This study evaluated 42 accessions, consisting of 20 Korean cultivars and 22 exotic germplasm under four polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations (0, 10, 15, and 20%) to assess germination and early seedling responses to drought stress. Increasing PEG levels significantly reduced germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination index (GI), and seedling vigor index (SVI), while mean germination time (MGT) increased. At 20% PEG, GP decreased by approximately 74% compared with the control. Early seedling vigor, expressed as SVI (integrating fresh weight, shoot length, and root length) also declined depending on concentration. Germination traits (GE and GI) showed strong positive correlations with SVI, indicating that early germination performance was closely associated with subsequent growth under drought stress. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and principal component analysis consistently identified several accessions (Earlybird, IR602, IR901, Florida 98, Maximus, Orlando, and Moscovsky 74) as relatively drought tolerant. Overall, the integration of germination and seedling vigor index provides a reliable phenotypic screening approach for identifying drought-tolerant Italian ryegrass.

This study assessed suitable lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars and lighting conditions for indoor hydroponic cultivation in Mongolia, examining their applicability in a household-scale vertical farming system. Three cultivars— ‘Jeokchima,’ ‘Cheongsangchu,’ and ‘Meiguodashusheng’— were grown under two lighting treatments: LEDs and T5 LEDs. ‘Jeokchima’ demonstrated the most consistent and superior growth across both harvests, exhibiting significantly higher leaf length, SPAD value, dry weight, and leaf number compared to the other cultivars. The use of LED lighting enhanced all growth parameters, except for petiole length, compared to T5, highlighting its advantages in arid indoor environments. Based on these findings, a compact three-tier Deep Water Culture (DWC) system was designed as a model for urban households, facilitating year-round lettuce production in limited indoor spaces. This model shows promise for enhancing vegetable self-sufficiency and food security in Mongolia. Further research on optimizing light spectra, managing photoperiods, and diversifying cultivars is recommended.

This study aimed to identify the optimal winter storage temperature for preserving bulbil vigor and enhancing the efficiency of spring bulbil cultivation in garlic. Bulbils from the cultivars ‘Daeseo’ and ‘Hongsan’ were categorized into three size grades (#1: <3 mm; #2: 3–4 mm; #3: 4–5.5 mm) and stored for five months (September 2024–February 2025) under four conditions: conventional warehouse storage, 4°C, 15°C, and 25°C. The bulbils were sown in rows in an open field on 20 February 2025 and harvested on 30 May 2025. After curing for 2–3 days and air-drying for about one month, the harvested bulbs were evaluated for the number and characteristics of round bulbs. For both ‘Hongsan’ and ‘Daeseo’, storing bulbils in either a conventional warehouse or at 4°C during winter resulted in higher harvest rates. Larger bulbils consistently produced a greater number of harvested bulbs and heavier bulb weights. In ‘Hongsan’, only the #3 bulbils stored at 25°C yielded a small proportion ( 1. 2%) of multi-clove bulbs, while a ll o ther treatments resulted in single-clove bulbs exclusively. Mean bulb weight was lowest after storage at 25°C and tended to be higher under warehouse storage. In ‘Daeseo’, there was no significant difference in harvest percentage between warehouse and 4°C storage; however, the mean harvest percentage was higher and the variation among replicates was lower at 4°C. Notably, multi-clove bulbs were observed only with warehouse storage (#2: 0.35%; #3: 1.8%), while 4°C storage resulted exclusively in single-clove bulbs. Mean bulb weight increased with bulbil size across all treatments, and conditions that produced more multi-clove bulbs generally also showed heavier mean bulb weights. Overall, for spring cultivation of bulbils, 4°C storage is optimal for enhancing single-clove bulb production in ‘Daeseo’, while conventional winter storage is sufficient for ‘Hongsan’.

This study examined the structural, physicochemical, and functional characteristics of five black soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars—Cheongja5, Danheuk, Socheongja, Seum, and Soriheuk—bred and cultivated in Korea. We conducted comprehensive analyses on morphology, microstructure, thermal and hydration properties, pasting behavior, and antioxidant activity to identify cultivar-specific differences in processing suitability and functional properties. The results indicated significant varietal variations in seed coat ratio, cotyledon density, and color, which affected thermal stability, hydration, and viscosity development during heating. Cultivars with compact cotyledon matrices, such as Cheongja5 and Danheuk, displayed high enthalpy (ΔH), low solubility, and limited viscosity development, suggesting high structural stability and low thermal reactivity-traits favorable for thermally stable or beverage-type applications. In contrast, cultivars with looser structures and greater surface exposure, like Seum and Socheongja, exhibited higher swelling power, dispersion stability, and RVA viscosities, indicating their suitability for viscous or semi-solid systems. Notably, Soriheuk showed the highest antioxidant activity and levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, correlating with its high seed coat ratio and dark pigmentation, positioning it as a promising functional ingredient. These findings underscore that the physicochemical and structural diversity among black soybean cultivars significantly influences their processing performance and functional potential, providing a scientific foundation for selecting and developing functional cultivars.

This study investigated the breeding status and agronomic characteristics of Pleurotus eryngii based on academic literature and cultivars registered with the Korean Seed and Variety Services. P. eryngii was first introduced to Korea in 1995, which led to the distribution of 'Keunneutari 1-ho' and 'Keunneutari 2-ho' through initial selection breeding by the Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services and the Rural Development Administration (RDA). Subsequently, 20 P. eryngii cultivars and 2 interspecific hybrid cultivars were developed and registered through crossbreeding or genetic engineering techniques. The registered cultivars, from the earliest 'Saesongi 1-ho' to the latest 'Daol' (RDA), exhibit improved traits such as high yield, high quality, early maturity, low pin deformity, extended shelf life, superior cap morphology, and high functionality, which were developed to meet evolving agricultural and commercial demands. Detailed agronomic characteristics are vital for commercial cultivation and for defining parental lines in future breeding programs, highlighting their importance as fundamental breeding information.

This study compared the growth, yield characteristics, and nutrient absorption of two perilla cultivars (‘Ipdeulkkae 1’ and ‘Donggeul 2’) treated with various nutrient solution levels (EC 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 dS·m-1). The results showed that plant growth and yield significantly increased with higher EC levels, particularly for ‘Donggeul 2’ under EC 1.4 dS·m-1, which exhibited superior production and high nutrient use efficiency. These results indicate that increasing EC improves nutrient status, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production. Furthermore, ‘Ipdeulkkae 1’ showed excellent growth at higher EC levels, while ‘Donggeul 2’ responded more sensitively to changes in NH₄ concentration but maintained stable productivity at lower EC conditions. The findings suggest the need for tailored nutrient solution management strategies that consider cultivar-specific differences. While elevated EC levels positively influenced yield, they also confirmed that excessively high EC can cause osmotic stress and ion imbalance. This study provides essential data for determining optimal EC levels for high-quality and stable perilla production. Future research should examine the interactions between nutrient solution concentration and environmental factors to develop more precise nutrient management techniques and to facilitate select superior cultivars.

This study evaluated the impact of sowing dates on the growth, yield, and nutritive quality of three corn cultivars including Gwangpyeongok, Dacheongok, and Shinhwangok. Plant height and total yield components declined with delayed sowing across all cultivars. Gwangpyeongok achieved the highest plant height (289 ± 14 cm), grain yield (9,108 ± 82 kg/ha), and total yield (18,973 ± 2,560 kg/ha) at the April 29 sowing. Dacheongok recorded the highest stover yield (17,227 ± 137 kg/ha) and total yield (22,236 ± 1,053 kg/ha) on May 13. Shinhwangok reached its maximum total yield (19,158 ± 604 kg/ha) at May 13 but showed the sharpest declines by May 16. Nutritional quality also deteriorated with later sowing. In stover, crude protein (CP) declined to 3.58% in Shinhwangok at May 16, accompanied by a rise in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) to 69.9%. In contrast, Dacheongok maintained stable CP levels (5.27–5.60%) and the lowest fiber fractions. Gwangpyeongok exhibited the highest stover CP at April 29 sowing, along with the lowest NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. Grain CP was highest in Gwangpyeongok (8.1 ± 0.4%) and Shinhwangok (9.6 ± 0.9%) at April 29, while Dacheongok showed its maximum grain CP (8.0 ± 0.3%) at the same sowing date, coupled with relatively low fiber content. Overall, the findings highlight that timely sowing is crucial for achieving both high yield and optimal nutritive quality in maize. For Gwangpyeongok and Dacheongok, sowing from late April to mid-May provided the best balance between yield and nutritional quality. In Shinhwangok, the highest stover, grain, and total biomass yields were obtained at the May 13 sowing.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of sowing dates on the growth, yield, and forage quality of two triticale cultivars, Joseong and Hanmiso-1ho. Field experiments were conducted with sowing dates ranging from September 25 to November 13, 2023. The results indicate that both cultivars and sowing date significantly influence growth characteristics, dry matter yield, and nutritional composition. The highest yields were obtained from the earliest sowing (September 25), with Joseong producing 10,979 ± 366 kg/ha and Hanmiso-1ho 12,201 ± 2,124 kg/ha. Yields remained relatively high on October 5 and 16 sowings but declined sharply after October 25, reaching the lowest levels on November 13 (Joseong 4,991 ± 458 kg/ha; Hanmiso-1ho 6,353 ± 338 kg/ha). Delayed sowing increased plant height but reduced forage biomass. Forage quality also varied with the sowing date. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 8–11%, with higher values in early sowing (10.7% for Joseong, 10.3% for Hanmiso-1ho) and lower at mid to late sowing dates. Fiber content such as NDF and ADF levels increased with the sowing dates delayed, but declined slightly with the November sowing dates. Overall, end September to early October sowings provide optimal yield and forage quality for both triticale cultivars.

This study evaluated the growth characteristics, forage productivity, and feed value of three Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivars ‘Earlybird’, ‘Green call’, and ‘Greenfarm2ho’ over two consecutive growing seasons. Growth traits such as cold tolerance, lodging resistance, disease resistance, and insect resistance were assessed, along with plant height. Forage yield was measured as both fresh and dry matter yields, and feed value was analyzed in terms of CP, NDF, ADF, DMI, DDM, RFV and CA content. Among the tested cultivars, ‘Earlybird’ demonstrated superior performance in several key traits. It showed the greatest lodging resistance and plant height, along with the highest fresh and dry matter yields, although differences in yield were not statistically significant. In terms of feed quality, ‘Earlybird’ had the highest CP (10.8%), lowest NDF (54.7%), and highest RFV (109), indicating excellent palatability and digestibility. ‘Greenfarm2ho’ showed intermediate values across all parameters, suggesting balanced productivity and quality. In contrast, ‘Green call’ showed relatively lower lodging resistance and feed value. Overall, ‘Earlybird’ was identified as a promising cultivar for forage production in temperate climates, combining stable yield performance with high nutritional value. These findings offer valuable guidance for cultivar selection in livestock forage systems aiming to improve both productivity and feed efficiency.

In this study, domestic soybean cultivars were extracted using water, 70% ethanol, and 100% ethanol. The contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of these extracts were measured. For the water extracts, the polyphenol content was significantly higher in the Daewon cultivar compared to the others. Ethanol extracts contained lower levels than the water extracts, and, unlike the water extracts, there was no significant difference between the cultivars. The flavonoid content in the Jinpung cultivar was the highest among the water extracts, and this content was greater in the water extract than in the ethanol extract. In terms of ABTS radical scavenging activity, Daewon and Taekwang exhibited significantly higher activity in the water extracts. The Jinpung cultivar showed the highest activity in the 70% ethanol extract, which was slightly lower than that of the water extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be higher in Taekwang than in the other cultivars. In the 70% ethanol extract, Taekwang demonstrated high antioxidant activity, similar to that of the water extract. A correlation analysis of antioxidant components and antioxidant activity in soybean cultivars revealed the highest r value of 0.9326 between the contents of flavonoid compounds and polyphenol compounds.