Root development at the seedling stage is an important trait for the early growth of rice. In this study, the root length and weight of 211 Korean landrace rice at the seedling stage were evaluated, and the average root length and weight were 6.94 cm and 48.18 mg, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) of 211 accessions based on 70,849 SNPs presented three subgroups. Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with root length were detected on chromosomes 3 and 6 using genome-wide association study (GWAS). Four haplotypes were identified using associated SNPs for the two root length QTLs. The average root length of Hap2 and Hap 3 was 7.32 cm and 6.56 cm, respectively, and were significantly different. Gene expression analysis in the candidate regions of QTLs for root length at the seedling stage showed that several genes were expressed in the root. QTLs associated with root length at the seedling stage identified in this study may be applied to improve the root length trait and detect candidate genes.

‘Golden queen 3’, an aromatic rice variety, was developed by Seedpia inc. (Suwon, Korea) breeding company in 2014. This cultivar was derived from a cross between ‘HJ-11’, a high-yield, aromatic line, and ‘JCH33M-15-1-9-1’, which has a low amylose content. During the F₃-F₈ generation, breeding lines were selected using a pedigree breeding method. The most promising line (JS9-3-73-15-5-1-5-3-1-1) was advanced and named ‘SP005’ in 2013. This variety was headed on August 13, two days later than ‘Hwayeong’ in the ‘in middle plane’ is commonly used to distinguish rice cultivation areas in Korea, so I think it's no problem to the understanding for readers (including farmers). The culm and panicle lengths of this variety were 75.7 cm and 20.1 cm, respectively. It has approximately 14.7 tillers per hill and 104.8 spikelets per panicle, and the 1000-grain weight was 21.8 g. The yield performance was 5.47 MT/ha in the local adaptability test, and the amylose content of this variety was 12.5%. 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline was detected as the major volatile ingredient in aromatic rice, and a 1 bp insertion on the 14th exon (badh2.7 allele) was identified in the Badh2 gene. (Registration No. 7308).

Rice landrace germplasms are highly valuable because of their wide genetic variation. Their traits have not been selected by modern breeders but by nature, thus, these traits and the gene associated with them have tremendous potential to improve modern rice cultivars. The first step to utilize this potential is to conduct a thorough evaluation of the target traits to select superior germplasm for a breeding program. Here, with 386 Korean landrace germplasms, we evaluated mesocotyl elongation traits which possibly promote direct seedling cultivation in rice. Mesocotyl length ranged from 0 mm to 28 mm. Among the tested landraces, we selected and reported the top 20 performing landraces whose mesocotyl length were larger than 16 mm. The previously reported agronomic traits for the selected 20 landraces were also listed for breeders to promote the utilization of these germplasms in breeding programs.

‘Hyowon 3’, a medium-maturing glutinous rice variety was developed by the rice breeding team of Pusan National University in 2013. This cultivar was developed from a cross between ‘Hongna’ which is a landrace from the Korean peninsula showing good glutinous properties, and ‘Junam’, which has stable productivity. During the F₃–F₈ generations, breeding lines were selected using a pedigree breeding method. As a result, the promising line (JS24-6-95-11-5-2-1-1-1-B) with good glutinous properties was advanced and designated as ‘SP 107’. This variety headed on Aug. 16, which is 3 days later than ‘Dongjinchal’ in the middle plane. The average culm length and panicle length of this variety were 80.7 cm and 20.1 cm, respectively. This variety yielded approximately 14.1 tillers per hill and 104 spikelets per panicle. The ratio of ripened grain was about 93.0%, and the 1,000-grain weight was 19.30 g in brown rice. The yield performance was 492 kg/10a in a local adaptability test.

Cymbidium goeringii of ‘Arihyang’ was developed for a fragrant Korean Cymbidium variety by Semangeum Bio Center. ‘Arihyang’ was developed from the cross between ‘Daebugui’ as a good fragrant source and ‘SC-005’, a collected Korean Cymbidium collected in 2001, which shows short plant-type and round flower. The selected seed was germinated and cultivated in 2007. Through continuous cultivation and checking the fixed phenotype from 2007 to 2008, the fixed phenotype of none boundary line jade color flower and moderate fragrance was confirmed. In 2010, ‘Arihyang’ was cultivated in field and evaluated the phenotype to be confirmed the fixed phenotype. ‘Arihyang’ has length of 20~25cm plain leaves with dark green color. The flower has a moderate fragrance with jade color. The length and width of flower are 2.5cm, 3cm, respectively.

Cymbidium goeringi of ‘ Julie’ was developed from the cross between the accession of SC-017 and Daeyeophyeran by Semangeum Bio Center in 2004. The harvested seed was germinated and cultivated. During the cultivation, a individual plant showing marginal stripe pattern was selected in 2008. Through continuous cultivation and checking the special patterns in the leaf, the phenotype was fixed in 2009. From field cultivation in 2010, the fixed phenotype of marginal stripe pattern was confirmed. Julie shows clear marginal stripe patterns with yellow-green color. This pattern is more cleared as it grows. The leaf color is dark green with 35 ~ 40 cm length. The flower has fragrance with 4 cm width and 2.7 cm length.

Cymbidium goeringi of ‘Ariul’ was developed from the cross between Daebugui and SC-005 by Semangeum Bio Center in 2001. The harvested seed was germinated and cultivated. During the cultivation, an individual plant showing unique marginal stripe pattern was selected in 2006. Through continuous cultivation and checking the special patterns in the leaf, the phenotype was fixed through 2007 ~ 2008. From field cultivation in 2009, the fixed phenotype of marginal stripe pattern was confirmed. Ariul shows clear marginal stripe patterns with yellow color. The leaf color is dark green with 20 cm ~ 25 cm length. The flower of jade color has fragrance with 3 cm width and 2.5 cm length.