We report the development of a high quality red waxy corn ‘Mihongchal’, containing anthocyanin. Mihongchal was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HW9’ as seed parent and ‘HCW5’ as pollen parent. The hybrid was created in 2016 and evaluated in Hongcheon, Pyungchang, and Yeongwol for 3 years. Mihongchal days to silking was 72 days and the other agronomic characteristics were similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Mihongchal yield was slightly lower than ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Fresh ears number and weight were 93 and 91% compared to ‘Mibaek 2ho’, respectively but anthocyanin content was 1,160 mg/kg, which is higher than ‘Mibake 2ho’. Resistance to insects, diseases, and lodging was similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Due to the analysis, it was recognized as functional waxy corn with high quality characteristics and anthocyanin content. Since regional yield tests was performed in only Gangwon State, it is recommended only in that region for cultivation. Mihongchal is a resource with excellent taste and functionality that can increase the value of waxy corn. The chosen variety was termed ‘Mihongchal’, its plant variety protection right was registered in February 2023 (Registration No. 9354).

A new anthocyanin-rich hybrid variety, ‘Saekso 1’, is developed which is characterized by yellow grains, and purple husks and cobs. This variety was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HA1’ (as the seed parent) and ‘HA2’ (as the pollen parent). It was made in 2008/2009 and evaluated in Hongcheon for two years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 1’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2014. The anthocyanin content of ‘Saekso 1’ in husk was 10.39±0.09 g/100 g, which was much higher than that of Kangilok (0 mg/100 g). Since regional tests were conducted only in Gangwon province, this variety is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. ‘Saekso 1’ is a health food resource for bioactive materials (Registration No. 4967).

We report the development of new anthocyanin-rich grain corn hybrid variety ‘Saekso 2’. The seed parent, HA3 and the pollen parent, HA4 was developed from breeding materials collected from China in 2008 and from Canada in 2000, respectively. The hybrid was made in the winter of 2010/2011 and evaluated in Hongcheon for 3 years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 2’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2017. Anthocyanin content of Saekso 2 in grain was 685 mg/100g and was much higher than that of Saeko 1(0mg/100g). Since regional tests was conducted in only Gangwon province, it is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. For the highest content of anthocyanin, it is best to harvest grains at around 45 days after silking. Saekso 2 is the first hybrid bred specifically for processing for high anthocyanin production.

This study was carried out to create new waxy corn variety using anthocyanins germplasm including 13 ornamental maize stocks, purple corn and two parental lines of Mibaek2. First, we made anthocyanin husk population for sustainable breeding from 13 ornamental stocks for 6 years from 2001 and then crossed purple corn with a dark purple kernel in 2007. We crossed this hybrid with two parental lines of Mibaek2, a good edible quality waxy corn, in 2007/2008 dry season nursery for additional breeding in Thailand. The anthocyanin-rich waxy lines derived from these hybrids were self-fertilized seven times and made single cross hybrids until 2011. These hybrids were evaluated on 2 or 3 places in Gangwon-do for next two years. One selected elite hybrid was named Cheongchunchal and applied for registration of new waxy corn variety in March 2014. Total anthocyanins content is zero in Mibaek2, 737 in Miheugchal, 18,809 mg/kg in Cheongchunchal. This variety is meaningful as health food and high-value industrial material.