In Korea, black soybeans are traditionally consumed after cooking with rice to supplement protein and oil which are lacking in rice. Seed cooking quality including seed traits after cooking with rice, which is important for consumers, were so far not comprehensively considered during the process of breeding. In this study, we first evaluated seed quality after cooking with rice, we tested the correlation between seed cooking quality and seed water absorption ratio, and we attempted to identify the Quantitative trait locus(QTL)/gene using two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, i.e., Daepung × Socheong2 and Daepung × Ilpumgeomjeong. Based on phenotype and correlation analyses, the main factors affecting the hardness of soybeans cooked with rice may differ between RIL population. In the Daepung × Socheong2 RIL population, one QTL associated with seed hardness after cooking with rice was identified on chromosome 11, and Glyma.11g049600, encoding peroxidase, is proposed as a candidate gene. In the Daepung × Ilpumgeomjeong RIL population, two QTLs associated with seed hardness after cooking with rice were identified on chromosomes 7 and 19, one QTL related to seed water absorption on chromosome 3, and Glyma.19g092600 encoding pectin methylesterase inhibitor are proposed as candidate genes. This is the first study on soybean cooking quality after cooking with rice, and the locations of four related QTLs were identified. The results will be of use for future development of high-quality black soybean varieties with high consumer preference using molecular breeding methods.

The radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is one of the major vegetables of Korea and is consumed as the main ingredient of kimchi. To improve the texture of radish kimchi, herbs, and soup, we attempted to develop a cultivar with a hard texture. Using species native to Jeju Island, we bred ‘Wonkyo10045ho’ which produces short, elliptically shaped roots with a hard texture. Generation progress was made via the self-fertilization method using bud pollination. We selected individuals with good horticultural characteristics from each of five generations grown from 2006 to 2010. Finally, in 2015, the line was named ‘Wonkyo10045ho’, and the granting of plant variety rights (Grant number 6527) was certified in 2017 following an application for the protection of new plant varieties (application number 2015-398). The root characteristics of ‘Wonkyo10045ho,’ include an oval shape, mixed white and green root skin, and a white inner root color. ‘Wonkyo10045ho’ had a sugar content of 4.9 Brix, with excellent sweetness, good taste, and strong pithiness. The average number of seeds per plant obtained via pollination by bees in a small net house was 609.1, suggesting that the strength of its self-incompatibility was not strong and male sterility might be advantageous. Therefore, it is expected that this variety will be useful as a material for improving the competitiveness of domestic farmers and for stable radish exports.

Kimchi cabbage (known as Chinese cabbage) is major vegetable in Korea. An inbred line of ‘Wonkyo20038ho’, was developed by the National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, RDA in Republic of Korea. The microspore culture was carried out using ‘Chunhuigohangwang’ which was introduced from China in 2002. Among 3 DH inbred lines, ‘Wonkyo20038ho’ inbred line was finally selected after field exhibition in 2009. The horticultural traits of ‘Wonkyo20038ho’ inbred line; half-open head, white inner leaf colour, and dark green outer leaf colour. The average (for four years) head weight was 2025.3g, and head width and height were 15.8cm and 32.4cm, respectively. Head shape was narrow elliptic and degree of overlapping leaf was medium. Numbers of outer and internal leaves were 14.1 and 49.8, respectively. Harvest maturity was mid-late maturing type and average of seed yield for five years was 926 seeds. In addition, ‘Wonkyo20038ho’ inbred line is suitable for salad in that it possessed few trichome and narrow elliptic head shape.

We collected 32 maize inbred lines from eastern cereal and oilseed research center in Canada to develop new maize varieties. We also evaluated genetic diversity, genetic relationships, and population structure using 35 SSR markers. A total of 269 alleles were revealed in 35 loci with an average of 7.69 and a range between 3 and 15 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity values varied from 0.176 to 0.889 with an average of 0.691. The polymorphic information content varied from 0.171 to 0.879 with an average of 0.659. Population structure analysis indicated that 32 Canadian maize inbred lines comprised four major groups and one admixed group based on a membership probability threshold of 0.80. The four major groups contained 13, 2, 5 and 2 maize inbred lines, respectively. From genetic relationships analysis, the all inbred lines were divided into three main groups at 26% genetic similarity. Group I included 22 inbred lines, and Group II included 9 inbred lines. Group III consist of only one inbred line. The results in this study would be useful for the improvement and development of new cultivars, planning crosses for hybrids or development of inbred line in maize breeding program

Kimchi cabbage (known as Chinese cabbage) is one of the major vegetable in Korea. An inbred line ‘Wonkyo20042ho’, was developed by the National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, RDA in South Korea. The first cross carried out using ‘Norang gwandong’ which had been introduced to Korea in 2007. During segrerating generations, bud pollination carried out using selected plants to fix genetic materials. ‘Wonkyo20042ho’ inbred line was finally selected by breeders from commercial companies at the field exhibition at 2011. The horticultural traits of ‘Wonkyo20042ho’ inbred line were as follows; half-open head, yellow inner leaf colour, and dark green outer leaf colour. The average head weight was 1899.2g, head width and height were 17.5cm and 27.9cm, respectively. Numbers of outer and internal leaves were 14.3 and 66.5, respectively. Harvest maturity was mid-late maturing type and average of seed yield for three years was 723 seeds. In addition, ‘Wonkyo20042ho’ inbred line showed resistance to clubroot disease (race 4 single spore isolation) and possessed thin leaves and small sized head.