‘‘Ssagirang’ is a hulled barley cultivar that exhibits high resistance to lodging and cold stress. It demonstrates high yield potential and superior functional properties in barley sprouts. The heading date of ‘Ssagirang’ was April 24, and its maturity date was June 2. The plant height was 80 cm, which was 4 cm shorter than that of ‘Olbori’ (84 cm), and the spike length was 4.9 cm, which was longer than that of ‘Olbori’ (4.3 cm). The number of grains per spike was 56, higher than ‘Olbori’ (49 grains per spike), and the 1,000-grain weight was 35.2 g, heavier than that of ‘Olbori’ (34.6 g). In relation to disease resistance, ‘Ssagirang’ exhibited resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV), with a disease severity score of 1, and showed similar winter hardiness to ‘Olbori.’ In terms of quality characteristics, protein and β-glucan contents were 10.2% and 4.3%, respectively, similar to those of ‘Olbori’. The potential diastatic power of ‘Ssagirang’ was 107 DP, comparable to that of ‘Olbori’ (99 DP). Polyphenol content of ‘Ssagirang’ was 178 mg/100g, higher than that of ‘Olbori’ (164 mg/100g). The mean grain yield of ‘Ssagirang’ was 557 kg/10a across all regions, which was 21% higher than that of ‘Olbori’ (462 kg/10a). The barley sprout yield of ‘Ssagirang’ was 157 g_dw/m², greater than that of ‘Olbori’ (133 g_dw/m²), and its policosanol content was 448 mg/100g, which was significantly higher than that of ‘Olbori’ (245 mg/100g). On account of its strong cold tolerance, high yield, and excellent processing suitability, it is anticipated that ‘Ssagirang’ will be employed as a raw material for long malt, barley tea, and barley sprouts (Registration No. 9728).

‘Baeksoojeongchal’, a new naked waxy barley cultivar was developed from a cross between ‘Jinmichapssal’ and ‘Radiant’ at the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in 2019. ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ is a white, waxy naked barley cultivar with a low browning reaction owing to the low levels of proanthocyanidin. Regional yield trials were conducted for ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ as the breeding line, ‘Jeonju135’ at four different regions between 2017 and 2019. The average heading date of ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ in the paddy field was April 20, which was a day later than that of ‘Saechal’. Maturing date of ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ in the paddy field was May 26, which was 2 days later than that of ‘Saechal’. It has a short culm length of 75 cm and a short spike length of 4.3 cm, with 48 grains per spike and a 1,000-grain weight of 29.5 g. Compared to ‘Saechal’, ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ shows weaker winter withering and has better tolerance to lodging. The incidence of BaYMV (Barley yellow mosaic virus) in ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ was similar to that in ‘Saechal’; in addition, it was susceptible to powdery mildew. The grain quality characteristics of ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ indicated a similar protein content (9.6%) and a lower proanthocyanidin content (0.011%) and whiteness (42.0) compared to that in ‘Saechal’. The average yield was 505 kg/10a in the paddy field, which was 7% higher than that of ‘Saechal’. ‘Baeksoojeongchal’ is the naked waxy barley cultivar with the most whiteness and low proanthocyanidin content; therefore this could contribute to the promotion of barley consumption, by avoiding reduction in consumer preference (Registration No. 9194).

A new covered barley cultivar ‘Hangang’ with resistance to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and tolerance to cold was developed by crossing ‘Samkwangchal/Radiant’ at the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in 2018. The regional yield trials were conducted for ‘Hangang’ as a breeding line ‘Jeonju498’ in five different regions from 2016 to 2018. The average heading date of ‘Hangang’ was April 22, which was one day earlier than that of ‘Olbori’. The maturing date of ‘Hangang’ was May 30, which was similar to that of ‘Olbori’. The culm length was 81 cm, which was shorter than that of ‘Olbori’, showing tolerance to lodging stress. ‘Hangang’ showed the spike length of 4.6 cm with 669 spikes per m², 54 grains per spike, and a weight of 33.5 g for 1,000 grains. Compared with ‘Olbori’, ‘Hangang’ showed stronger withering in winter (winter hardiness) and resistance to BaYMV. Among quality characteristics, ‘Hangang’ showed similar levels as those of ‘Olbori’ with respect to protein, β-glucan and amylose (10.7%, 4.6%, and 18.8%, respectively). However, ‘Hangang’ showed higher polyphenol content (1.69 mg/g) than the check cultivar. The yield of ‘Hangang’ in the regional yield trial was 611 kg/10a in upland, 502 kg/10a in paddy field, and an overall average of 567 kg/10a, which was 15%, 16% and 16% higher than that of the check cultivar, respectively. Therefore, ‘Hangang’ will be suitable cultivar when sowed in cold regions (Registration No. 8773).

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), a member of the genus Tobamovirus, is one of the most threatening pathogens affecting commercial pepper production, and it is classified into pathotypes P_1,2 and P_1,2,3. As chemical and physical treatments show limited success in controlling PMMoV, resistant pepper varieties are considered the most effective means of disease control. Two hundred pepper germplasms, including 167 accessions of Capsicum chinense and 5 reference accessions known as resistant L alleles, were assessed using a bioassay to select germplasms resistant to PMMoV. Six accessions, including IT261210, were resistant to both PMMoV pathotypes P_1,2 and P_1,2,3 as they developed necrotic local lesions only on inoculated leaves, whereas no symptoms were observed on the upper leaves. Moreover, RT-PCR results of the upper leaves of these accessions were also negative. Thus, the identified accessions may be a novel source of genetic resistance against present or emerging new pathotypes and may be useful for differentiating L alleles.

Identification of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani and investigation on fusarium wilt development by isolates and inoculation methods were conducted to establish a screening method for fusarium wilt-resistance in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) germplasm. Pathogenicity of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani isolate, Heonggye-1 and Heonggye-2, to radish plants was confirmed by seedling test. Radish seedlings were inoculated by root-dipping and soil-drenching with or without root-wounding. For Heonggye-1 isolate, mean disease indexes were 4.13 and 3.91 by root-dipping and soil-drenching with root-wounding, respectively, but those were 1.87 and 1.88 without root-wounding. For Heonggye-2 isolate, mean disease indexes were 3.83 to 4.37 regardless of inoculation methods. Two-hundred sixty accessions of radish germplasm collected from 9 countries of Asia and Europe were evaluated for fusarium wilt-resistance by soil-drenching with root-wounding with Heonggye-2 isolate. Fifty-four resistant accessions with higher than 70% of the percentage of resistant seedlings in accession (P_R) and lower than 20% of the percentage of susceptible seedlings in accession (PS) was found. Eighteen susceptible accessions with lower than 20% of P_R and higher than 50% of PS were selected. These accessions could be used as breeding and research materials after re-evaluation of disease-resistance and characterization of agronomical traits.