Objective of this study was to investigate the difference of cadmium (Cd) levels in rice grains from non-polluted fields and to define the gene associated with Cd uptake for producing safety food. Cd was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The average concentration of Cd in rice grains was 0.943 μg/kg and Cd levels ranged from 0.050 to 5.699 μg/kg. Genome-Wide Association study (GWAS) based on phenotype data for Cd levels was performed. However, results of GWAS were affected by subpopulation structure and caused false positive. Therefore, GWAS for rice ecotypes (temperate Japonica, tropical Japonica, Indica, Aus, Aromatic, and Admixture) was performed to minimize false positive. GWAS results showed that Os01g0611300, Os01g0611900, Os01g0611950, Os01g0612000, Os01g0612200, Os11g0444400, Os11g0444700, Os11g0444800, and Os11g0444900 genes have significant correlation with Cd levels in rice grains. The sequences of these genes were compared to sequence positions of each other gene (haplotype analysis). According to the results of haplotype analysis, Cd levels of non-synonymous group were higher than other groups and sequence of non-synonymous group was similar to that of Indica. These results were corresponding to the previous research result that Cd levels of Indica were higher than Japonica. Therefore, candidate genes detected through GWAS need to be examined by knock-out or cross breeding.

Field resistance is defined as the resistance that allows effective control of a parasite under natural field condition and is durable when exposed to new races of that parasite. To identify the genes for field resistance against rice blast, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring field resistance in japonica rice cultivars were detected and mapped using SSR markers. QTL analysis was carried out in 190 RILs population from the cross between Suweon365 (moderately resistance) and Chucheong (highly susceptible). Fourteen QTLs for nine blast races inoculated were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 12. They explained from 6.4 to 39.7% of total phenotypic variation. Eight QTLs for blast nursery screening in 4 regions for three years were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 and 12. The phenotypic variation was explained by each QTL ranged from 5.9 to 38.0%. Three BC2F5 backcrossed progeny lines were developed to transfer the QTLs into the susceptible cultivar Chucheong as a recurrent parent. A NIL4 containing two QTLs Qbl6.2 and Qbl7 for blast races showed the reaction 6 to 7 in blast nursery in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Two lines NIL143 and NIL93 containing Qbl11.2 and Qbl12.1 for QTLs related with field resistance, respectively, were 3 to 4 reactions in blast nursery.

Grain filling is a crucial factor that determines grain yield in crops since it is the final process directly associated with crops' yield performance. Grain filling process can be characterized by the interaction of rate and duration of grain filling. This study was conducted, using 16 temperate japonica rice genotypes, with aims to (1) seek variations in grain filling duration and rate on area basis, (2) compare the contribution of grain filling duration and rate to grain yield, and (3) examine the influence of temperature and solar radiation for effective grain filling on grain yield in relation to grain filling duration and rate. Grain filling rate and duration exhibited highly significant variations in the ranges of 20.7~46.3~;g~;m-2d-1~;and~;11.2~35.5 days, respectively, depending on rice genotypes. Grain yield on unit area basis was associated positively with grain filling duration but negatively with grain filling rate. Grain filling rate and duration were negatively correlated with each other. Final grain weight increased linearly with the rise in both cumulative mean temperature and cumulative solar radiation for effective grain filling. Higher cumulative mean temperature and cumulative solar radiation for effective grain filling were the results of longer grain filling duration, but not necessarily higher daily mean temperature and daily solar radiation for effective grain filling. Grain filling rate demonstrated an increasing tendency with the rise in daily mean temperature for effective grain filling but their relationship was not obviously clear. It was concluded that grain filling duration, which influenced cumulative mean temperature and cumulative solar radiation for effective grain filling, was the main factor that determined grain yield on unit area basis in temperate Japonica rice.

This study was conducted to identify the genetic basis of the domestication-related traits in weedy rice. An RIL population consisting of 80 lines was developed from a cross between the japonica weedy rice, Hapcheonaengmi 3 and the Tongil-type cultivar Mi

Rice production in Korea has markedly increased during the last two decades due to newly developed high yielding varieties and improved production technology. This experiment was conducted to determine the potential of tropical japonica germplasm in enhancing the yield of temperate japonica. The yield performance of two tropical japonicas (IR 65597-29-3-2 and IR66154-52-1-2) and one temperate japonica (Dongjinbyeo) was compared at different plant densities and nitrogen levels under Korean environmental conditions. Although tropical japonicas showed low tillering habit and large panicles, they had similar leaf area index and dry weight at heading stage to Dongjinbyeo of the high tillering type indicating that there was not much difference between tropical and temperate japonica in terms of biomass production. The highest milled rice yield of 6.15 t/ha was obtained from Dongjinbyeo at a high nitrogen level with less planting density (220 kg N/ha and 30 ~times 15 cm). However, those of the two tropical japonicas were 5.36 t/ha at the condition of 165 kg N/ha and 30 x 10 cm planting density and 5.06 t/ha at the condition of 165kgN/ha and 15 x 15 cm planting density, respectively. Ripened grain of tropical japonicas ranged from 65 to 87%, while that Dongjinbyeo ranged from 82 to 97% under Korean conditions.