In the present study, we conducted a detailed analysis of the genetic diversity and structural organization of 96 domestic Korean rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) using 2,565 high-resolution TCS-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Genetic structural variations were investigated using diversity indices, PCA, genetic similarity, and network analysis. Genetic diversity analysis revealed a significant expansion of the genetic foundation after the 1980s, marked by a sharp increase in the number of alleles (Na) from the 2000s. Despite this, high genetic homogeneity was maintained, with an average similarity of 77.7%. The observed 10% difference among same-cross varieties suggests that critical genetic variations are fixed by strong selection pressures for quality traits. Network analysis (85% similarity threshold) confirmed that the Korean rice breeding population followed a distinct core-periphery model (eight communities). The connected 84 varieties had a centrality range of 0.01 0.39. Core Variety Groups (e.g., ‘Junam’ and ‘Sindongjin’) exhibited the highest centrality (up to 0.39), indicating their extensive use as key breeding parents and their function as the central axis of the genetic network. Bridge Variety Groups (e.g., ‘Hwayeong’ and ‘Samkwang’) played an intermediary role linking clusters. Crucially, 12 ‘isolated accessions’ showed zero centrality (0.00), representing a genetic disconnect from the main pool. This quantitative network-based assessment provides essential fundamental data for breeders to select appropriate germplasms. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the current cultivar naming system, which inadequately reflects genetic relationships, requires reassessment, and that the establishment of
objective
management standards based on this research is warranted.

South America, particularly the Southern Cone region, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, serves as a global hub for soybean production, accounting for more than 56% of global supply. However, this region experiences recurrent and severe drought risks driven by climate variability associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), resulting in significant economic losses. Consequently, biotechnology- based drought-tolerant soybean breeding has emerged as a critical national strategy across these countries. Argentina has positioned itself as a primary technology originator with the development of the HB4 soybean, the world’s first commercial drought-tolerant trait, utilizing the sunflower-derived transcription factor HaHB4. Brazil is advancing beyond single-trait approaches by developing multistacked biotech varieties that integrate drought tolerance with herbicide resistance, insect resistance, and oxidative stress mitigation. Furthermore, Paraguay and Uruguay are rapidly emerging as international hubs for field testing and commercialization, supported by streamlined regulatory frameworks and a “dual-track” strategy for both genetically modified (GM) and genome-edited (GE) crops. This review integrates molecular strategies, national regulatory systems, and commercialization trends in South America and discusses strategic implications for Korea. Despite Korea’s limited domestic experience in large-scale commercial cultivation owing to regulatory constraints, it possesses internationally competitive expertise in transcription factor engineering, CRISPR-based precision breeding, and AI-driven stress phenotyping. We propose a strategic technology export model that leverages Korea’s advanced R&D capabilities as a “technology provider” and “joint developer,” in partnership with South American countries. Such collaborations can foster a climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem and secure Korea’s position in the global biotech seed market.

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. (the Korean angelica tree) is a popular wild spring vegetable crop in East Asia. Owing to its ease of cultivation and harvesting from the second year after planting, this species is a promising forest crop for short-term income. However, the presence of prickles on the stems and shoots reduces harvesting efficiency and negatively affects product quality. This study reports the breeding and morphological characteristics of a new prickle-less cultivar, ‘Seochun’, which exhibits strong cold tolerance and early sprouting. Among the 192 native accessions collected across Korea, a superior prickle-less and cold-tolerant clone was selected and evaluated over two years (2019-2020) of field trials. The stems of ‘Seochun’ were completely smooth and prickle-less, with a larger basal diameter (40.0 mm) compared to the control (29.7 mm). The sprouting and harvesting times were approximately seven days earlier than those of the control. As an early harvest and prickle-less cultivar of A. elata, ‘Seochun’ is expected to improve both the shoot productivity and labor efficiency during harvesting and cutback operations (Research support number: 375).

A new soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar, ‘Dadrim,’ was developed by the National Institute of Crop and Food Science (NICS). ‘Dadrim’ is characterized by its superior suitability for tofu processing and high adaptability to mechanized cultivation. This cultivar ‘Milyang374’ was developed using the pedigree method from an artificial cross made in 2012 between ‘Milyang231’ and ‘Chamol.’ Its agronomic characteristics and production stability were verified through regional adaptation trials conducted over three years (2020- 2022). ‘Dadrim’ exhibits a determinate growth habit, white flowers, and spherical seeds with a yellow seed coat and yellow hilum. It is a large-seeded variety with a 100-seed weight of 30.9 g. As a late-maturing variety, it reaches maturity around October 22. Despite a relatively short plant height, it features a high first pod height of 16 cm, making it advantageous for mechanical harvesting. ‘Dadrim’ is resistant to bacterial pustule and soybean mosaic virus and possesses excellent lodging resistance. Notably, ‘Dadrim’ demonstrates a high tofu yield of 283%, which is 67% points higher than ‘Daewonkong’. The resulting tofu has a soft texture, making it suitable for soft and silken tofu. It also received high preference scores for taste and texture in sensory evaluations. ‘Dadrim’ yielded 3.37 tons/ha, an 8% increase compared to ‘Daewonkong.’ This new variety is expected to increase farm income and advance the domestic tofu industry (Registration No. 10461).

Developing a unique local variety that adapts well to the regional environment and consistently expresses its own characteristics provides a significant competitive advantage in the branded rice market. The aim of this study was to develop a Mid-Late Maturing Rice Cultivar with High Grain Quality adapted to the Chungnam Plain. ‘Daebang’ was developed by crossing ‘Haedamssal,’ a stable and high-yielding cultivar, with ‘Jinsumi,’ known for excellent grain appearance and eating quality, during the winter of 2013-2014. The F₁ was grown in summer 2014 to produce F₂ seeds, and promising lines were selected via the pedigree method. Under normal transplanting, ‘Daebang’ headed on August 19, about four days later than ‘Samkwang. ’ It had a culm length of 75 cm (9 cm shorter than ‘Samkwang’), indicating better lodging resistance. It had 84 spikelets per panicle, a 1,000-grain weight of 21.9 g, and a milled rice yield of 6.06 MT ha^-1, which was numerically higher but not significantly different from that of ‘Samkwang.’ The head rice ratio was 95.9%, with a protein content of 5.4%, and glossiness value 78.5, indicating a superior grain quality. ‘Daebang’ also showed similar resistance to blast and bacterial leaf blight as ‘Samkwang.’ Therefore, ‘Daebang’ is expected to serve as a promising mid-late maturing cultivar for producing premium-branded rice in the Chungnam region because of its high grain quality, lodging tolerance, and stable yield (Registration No. 9169).

Perilla is a traditional oilseed crop cultivated in Korea. The ‘Nulsaemi’ cultivar was developed for oil use because of its large seed size and high functional compound content. It originated from a cross between ‘Daesil’ (IT274265), with high crude fat content and a soft seed coat, and ‘Milyang16’ (K015415), with large, brown seeds and a hard seed coat. The cross was created in 2008, and promising lines were selected through pedigree breeding up to the F₆ generation. Advanced yield trials were conducted in 2016 and regional yield trials were conducted at four sites (Milyang, Suwon, Cheongju, and Iksan) from 2017 to 2019. ‘Nulsaemi’ matures around October 8, which is slightly later than the standard cultivar ‘Dayu’. It also has a 1,000-seed weight of 5.2 g, which is 1.4 g heavier than ‘Dayu’. The seed hardness was low, making it suitable for processing. The average yield was 125 kg/10a, about 3% higher than that of ‘Dayu’. The seeds contained approximately 45.1% crude fat and 63.4% alpha-linolenic acid, similar to those of the standard cultivar. However, rosmarinic acid content was significantly higher at 2,130.6 μg/g, about 18% more than ‘Dayu’. In sensory evaluation, oil extracted from ‘Nulsaemi’ showed better appearance, aroma, taste, and overall preference compared to the control, in both cold-pressed and roasted oil types. ‘Nulsaemi’ is expected to be a high-quality oilseed cultivar suitable for premium perilla oil production (Registration No. 8792).

A white sesame variety, ‘Haniall’ (Sesamum indicum L.), exhibiting shattering resistance and early maturity, was developed in 2021. ‘Haniall’ originated from a cross between ‘Suwon195’ and ‘Early Russian’ in 2014. ‘Haniall’ features a plant type characterized many branches and single capsule per node. Notably, the ‘Haniall’ exhibited resistance to seed shattering. The yield of Haniall was about 104 kg/10 a, which is 20% higher than that of ‘Ansan.’ ‘Haniall’ showed crude fat content of 54%, a lignan content of 6.4 mg/g. This variety is expected to contribute to the increased sesame production in Korea through large-scale mechanical cultivation (Registration No. 10320).

The F₁ hybrid rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) exploits heterosis to deliver greater yield, stability, and uniformity than open-pollinated cultivars, making it suitable for large- scale cultivation. In Korea, cultivation is shifting from landscape and apiculture to expanding edible oil production and increasing the demand for paddy field-adapted hybrids. Using Mokpo-CGMS as the female and the pollen parent ‘09003-B-126-2-1-3,’ we developed the breeding line ‘Dangyo 80,’ which, after multi-environment evaluations of yield and oil quality against ‘Sunmang,’ was selected as a new cultivar ‘Areum. ’ ‘Areum’ exhibits growth habit type IV, yellow flowers, and a red seed coat. Its flowering and maturity times are comparable to ‘Sunmang. ’ Major growth indices did not differ significantly among cultivars; however, while ‘Areum’ showed slightly greater lodging susceptibility, it displayed higher resistance to Sclerotinia stem rot. Notably, in paddy fields ‘Areum’ achieved a higher plant density per square meter than ‘Sunmang’ which produced a 31% yield increase. In fatty acid composition, ‘Areum’ had higher oleic acid content (65% vs. 60%) and lower erucic acid (0.95% vs. 1.35%) than ‘Sunmang,’ indicating improved suitability for high-quality edible rapeseed oil production (Registration No. 9755).

This study reports the breeding history and main characteristics of a new chestnut (Castanea crenata Siebold & Zucc.) cultivar, ‘EePi No. 2’, developed by the National Institute of Forest Science in Korea. ‘EePi No. 2’ originated from a cross between ‘Riheiguri’ and ‘Ganne’ in 2000, and was first selected in 2007, followed by secondary selection from 2008 to 2011. From 2012 to 2015, a series of stability tests for fruit traits were conducted, confirming its distinct characteristics. The cultivar was used for plant variety protection in November 2015 (Application No. 2015-25) and was officially registered in January 2024 under Registration No. 338. ‘EePi No. 2’ is classified as a mid- to late-maturing cultivar, with a harvest period from late September to early October. The average nut weight is 30.1 g, with a soluble solid content of 12.35%, and the pellicle removal rate was 90.5%. Compared to the control cultivar ‘Daebo,’ ‘EePi No. 2’ produces larger nuts with superior pellicle removability, making it suitable for roasted chestnuts and fresh consumption. These results suggest that ‘EePi No. 2’ is a promising new cultivar that can contribute to the production of high-quality chestnuts and the expansion of consumer markets (Registration No. 338).

‘Eunhyang’ is a new strawberry cultivar developed in 2021 by the Strawberry Research Institute of the Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services for forcing culture. The cultivar was bred to diversify the domestic market dominated by the single cultivar ‘Sulhyang’ and to improve fruit quality, including sweetness, firmness, and flavor. ‘Daewang,’ characterized by excellent flavor, aroma, and high firmness was used as the female parent, while ‘Durihyang,’ bred by the same institute with large fruit size, strong vigor, and good taste, was used as the male parent. Artificial crossing was conducted in 2017, followed by seedling selection, evaluation of characteristics, and productivity testing from 2018 to 2020. The selected line, initially designated ‘Nonsan 16,’ was officially named ‘Eunhyang’ in 2021. ‘Eunhyang’ exhibits semi-spreading growth, strong plant vigor, and elliptic leaves. Its flowering date is slightly earlier than that of ‘Sulhyang,’ and it shows excellent continuous flowering ability. The first harvest date was similar to that of ‘Sulhyang.’ The fruits are conical and bright light red. The first flower cluster has 8.6 flowers, fewer than ‘Sulhyang’ (16.8), reducing labor for flower thinning. It demonstrates higher soluble solids content (11.0 °Brix), stronger fruit firmness (14.1 g/mm²), and a higher sugar-to-acid ratio (19.0) than ‘Sulhyang.’ The average fruit weight is 17.7 g, which is heavier than ‘Sulhyang’ (15.4 g). Total yield is 3,945 kg/10a, which is 93% of ‘Sulhyang’ (4,236 kg/10a). ‘Eunhyang’ is relatively susceptible to anthracnose, powdery mildew, and two-spotted spider mites. ‘Eunhyang’ was registered for plant variety protection in 2023 (Registration No. 9751).