To determine whether Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis based on multivariate analysis for whole-cell extracts can be used to discriminate different countries of Perilla seeds at the metabolic level, leaves of Perilla seeds were subjected to FT-IR spectroscopy. FT-IR spectral data of leaves were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). FT-IR spectra confirmed typical spectral differences between frequency regions of 1,700-1,500, 1,500-1,300, and 1,100-950 cm^-1. These spectral regions reflect the quantitative and qualitative variations of amide I, II in amino acids and proteins (1,700-1,500 cm^-1), phosphodiester groups in nucleic acids and phospholipids (1,500-1,300 cm^-1), and carbohydrates (1,100-950 cm^-1). PCA revealed separate clusters corresponding to their country relationship. Thus, PCA could be used to distinguish between countries of origin with different metabolite contents. And PLS-DA showed a similar country classification of Perilla seeds. Furthermore, these metabolic discrimination systems could be used for the rapid selection and classification of useful field crop cultivars.

Soybean cultivar ‘Seonpung’ was developed for soy-paste and tofu. Suwon 224 and YS1325-3S-2 were crossed in 2003 and selected from F₃ to F₅ by pedigree method. The preliminary yield trial (PYT) and advanced yield trial (AYT) were conducted from 2009 to 2010, and regional yield trial (RYT) in twelve regions was conducted from 2011 to 2013. In RYT, ‘Seonpung’ was stable in variable environments and a high yield cultivar. ‘Seonpung’ is determinate, white flower, yellow spherical seed and yellow hilum. Flowering date and maturity date were Aug. 5 and Oct. 19, respectively. Plant height was similar to ‘Daewonkong (standard cultivar)’. However ‘Seonpung’ has higher node number (16) and seed weight (25.9g/100-seed weight) than ‘Daewonkong’ (14 and 24.2g/100-seed weight). ‘Seonpung’ is resistant to root rot, and it also has high level of resistance to bacterial pustule and soybean mosaic virus. The yield of tofu of ‘Seonpung’ was 241%, and noticeably lighter, and solidity was higher than ‘Daewonkong’. Soybean malt scent, fermented soybean yield and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) of ‘Seonpung’ were 4, 181% and 31.7㎎/g. The yield in adaptable regions was 340kg/10a (21% increase compared to ‘Daewonkong’). ‘Seonpung’ is expected to be cultivated and used widely for soy-paste and tofu. (Registration number: 5931)

Soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr] is one of the most important legumes in the world. However, soybean varieties are sensitive to flooding stress and their seed yields are substantially reduced in response to the flooding stress. 192 soybean germplasm collection was screened to identify flooding tolerant germplasm at an early vegetative growth stage (V1). Soybean plants at V1 stage were waterlogged for 4 to 10 days. To evaluate flooding tolerance, survival rate were investigated as a time dependent manner. Jangbaegkong, Danbaegkong, Sowonkongkong, Socheong2 and Suwon269 showed flooding tolerance, while Shillog, T201, T181, NTS1116 and HP-963 showed flooding sensitivity. We also investigated effects of flooding stress on soybean morphology. The adventitious root development was greatly increased in flooding tolerant plants compared to it in flooding sensitive plants. In addition, root length and root number were analyzed. The significant reduction of root length and root number was observed in flooding sensitive plants. Thus, these results indicate that the morphological changes in roots are important for acclimation to flooding stress. Taken together, the relationship between the morphological changes in the roots and flooding tolerance may be useful in selecting a flooding tolerant soybean germplasm.