Bakanae disease, also known as the foolish seedling disease, caused by Gibberella fujikuroi, is a serious issue in Korea. Since 2007, there has been a rapid increase in the occurrence of bakanae disease; this has caused severe yield loss to rice farmers every year. The most reliable and economical solution for managing bakanae disease is to cultivate resistant varieties; however, there are only a few rice varieties in Korea that can withstand this disease. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the resistance of 61 major rice varieties which account for 89% of the total rice cultivation area. Only six varieties showed intermediate or higher resistance to bakanae disease; this included Anpyeong and Samkwang. The genetic inconsistency between the bioassay results and the allele types of 12 molecular markers (associated with four QTLs) ranged from 4.7% to 48.7%. Therefore, more accurate markers, such as gene-based markers, are essential for monitoring general breeding programs or gene pyramiding.

‘Sangbo’ is a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety with high head rice grain ratio and good ripened grain color, as well as resistance to rice dwarf virus (RDV) and bacterial blight disease (BB). It was developed by the rice breeding team of the Yeongdeok Branch of the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Korea, in 2015. This variety was derived in the 2002 summer season from a cross between ‘Yeongdeog32’, with high eating quality, and ‘Nampyeong’, with a high milling ratio. In 2012, a promising line, YR24256-142-5-3-1-1-2, selected by the pedigree breeding method, was designated the name, ‘Yeongdeog59’. After performing a local adaptability test at nine locations from 2013 to 2015, ‘Yeongdeog59’ was released with the name ‘Sangbo’ in 2015. ‘Sangbo’ has a culm length of 77 cm and a medium-late growth duration. This variety was resistant to K1, K2, and K3 races of bacterial blight, along with the dwarf virus, and was moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. Based on the results of a panel test, ‘Sangbo’ has translucent and clear milled rice kernel without white core and belly rice, and good eating quality. The yield potential of ‘Sangbo’ in milled rice was approximately 6.21 MT/ha at the ordinary fertilizer level of the local adaptability test (LAT). This cultivar would be adaptable to the middle plain, south plain, Yeongnam plain, east coastal area, and south mid-mountainous areas of Korea (Registration No. 7284, 2018.06.25).

Bakanae disease is an important fungal disease caused by Gibberella fujikuroi. Incidence of rice bakanae disease creates serious problems in the foremost rice producing countries, affecting more or less all known rice cultivars. Breeding rice cultivars resistant to bakanae disease will thus be a cost-effective alternative to the application of fungicides. ‘MY299BK’ was derived from a cross between YR24982-9-1 and ‘Ilpum’ in 2008. A promising line, YR28297-1-38-1-1, was selected from among the progeny and designated ‘Milyang299’ in 2013. The local adaptability test of ‘Milyang299’ was carried out at five locations from 2014 to 2016 and named ‘MY299BK’. The heading date of ‘MY299BK’ was Aug. 15, typical for a medium-late maturing cultivar. Its culm was 71 cm long, there were 114 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000 grain-weight of brown rice was 23.4 g; these parameters were similar to those of ‘Nampyeong’. ‘MY299BK’ cultivar was resistant to blast and rice stripe virus, but susceptible to bacterial blight and insect pests. Its yield potential was about 566 kg/10 a at ordinary fertilizer level in a three-year-long local adaptability test. ‘MY299BK’ resistance to bakanae is conferred by the qBK1 gene derived from a tong-il type rice ‘Shingwang’ (Registration No. 7651).

‘Haedamssal’ is an early maturing and rice stripe virus disease-resistant cultivar adaptable for early-transplanting cultivation that was developed by the rice breeding team of the Department of Southern Crop, NICS, RDA, in 2014. This cultivar was derived from the cross YR25869 (YR21247-B-B-B-49-1/Sasanishiki BL4//Koshihikari) and YR25868 (Unkwang//YR21247-B-B-B-49-1/Sasanishiki BL4) made in the 2005/2006 winter season and was advanced to the F₅ generation by a bulk breeding method using rapid generation advance. To incorporate rice stripe virus resistance, marker-assisted selection on the RSV gene was conducted in 3-way and 6-way cross F₁ generation using the tightly linked marker RM6897. From testing in the replicated yield trial in 2011, a promising line YR26258-B-B-B-33-3 was selected and it was designated as ‘Milyang276’. A local adaptability test of ‘Milyang276’ was performed at three locations from 2012 to 2014 and it was named as ‘Haedamssal’, which was a good eating quality variety. The culm length was 67 cm in yield trials, which was 4 cm shorter than ‘Jopyeong’. The number of spikelets per panicle was lower than ‘Jopyeong’, whereas the number of tillers per hill was higher. This variety was resistant to RSV disease, bacterial blight, and leaf blast disease. The milled rice yield of ‘Haedamssal’ was 5.48 MT per ha at the early transplanting in the local adaptability test. ‘Haedamssal’ is well adapted to early transplanting cultivation in the southern plain area (Registration No. 6811).

‘Yeongbo’ is a variety of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) with good eating quality, resistance to rice stripe virus, rice dwarf virus, and bacterial blight disease. It was developed by the rice breeding team of the Yeongdeok Branch, National Institute Crop Science, Rural Development Administration in 2014. This variety was derived from a cross between ‘Yeongdeog35’ with good eating quality and ‘Saekyehwa’ with good plant type in the 2002 summer season. A promising line selected through the pedigree breeding method, YR24269-1-2-1-2-3-3, was designated as ‘Yeongdeog57’ in 2011. After a local adaptability test at nine locations from 2012 to 2014, ‘Yeongdeog57’ was released under the name of ‘Yeongbo’ in 2014. ‘Yeongbo’ had a short culm length of 66 cm and medium growth duration. This variety was resistant to K1, K2, and K3 races of bacterial blight, rice stripe virus, and dwarf virus, and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. ‘Yeongbo’ had translucent and clear milled rice kernel without white core and belly, and good eating quality according to a panel test. The yield potential of ‘Yeongbo’ in milled rice was approximately 5.75 MT/ha at an ordinary fertilizer level in the local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to middle plain area, south plain area, Yeongnam plain area, east costal area, and south mid-mountainous area. (Registration No.6804)

Oryza sativa ‘Sinbo’ is a cultivar of japonica rice with good eating quality as well as resistance to rice dwarf virus (RDV) and bacterial blight disease (BB). It was developed in 2013 by the rice breeding team of Yeongdeok Branch, National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, Korea. This cultivar was derived from a cross between ‘Yeongdeog34‘, a cultivar with good eating quality, and ‘Saekyehwa’, a cultivar of a good plant type, in summer of 2002. A promising line (YR24264-25-3-2) selected using the pedigree breeding method was designated as ‘Yeongdeog55’ in 2010. After carrying out the local adaptability test at nine locations from 2011 to 2013, ‘Yeongdeog55’ was published under the name of ‘Sinbo’ in 2013. ‘Sinbo’ is a medium-late maturing cultivar with a short culm length of 70 cm. This cultivar is resistant to K1, K2, and K3 races of bacterial blight as well as to dwarf virus, and it is moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. The results of the panel test indicated that ‘Sinbo’ has translucent and clear milled rice kernel without white core and belly rice as well as good eating quality. The yield potential of ‘Sinbo’ was approximately 5.67 MT/ha at the ordinary fertilizer level in the local adaptability test (LAT). This cultivar could be adaptable to the middle plain, south plain, Yeongnam plain, east costal area, and south mid-mountainous area of South Korea. (Registration No. 5643)

‘Hwawang’ is an early maturing and short statured rice cultivar adaptable to the rice–cash crop rotation system that was developed by the rice breeding team of the Department of Southern Crop, National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), Rural Development Administration (RDA), Korea, in 2012. This cultivar was derived from the cross of YR25867 (Hitomebore//YR21247-B-B-B-49-1/Sasanishiki BL4) and YR25866 (Akidagomachi//YR21247-B-B-B-49-1/Sasanishiki BL4) during the 2005/2006 winter season and was fixed as a homozygous line by a doubled haploid breeding system. In the replicated yield trial in 2009, a promising line (YR26253Acp26-1) showed a good phenotype and high yield potential, and so it was selected and designated as ‘Milyang256’. The local adaptability test of ‘Milyang256’ was carried out at three locations from 2010 to 2012. It was named ‘Hwawang’ and had a high head rice ratio and good eating quality. The culm length of ‘Hwawang’ averaged 62 cm during the yield trials and was 10 cm shorter than that of ‘Keumo’. The number of spikelets per panicle of ‘Hwawang’ was significantly lower than that of ‘Keumo’, but the number of tillers per hill was higher. This variety showed resistance to bacterial blight disease but was moderately susceptible to both leaf and neck blast. The milled rice yield of ‘Hwawang’ was 452 kg/10 a at the late transplanting stage of the local adaptability test. Thus, ‘Hwawang’ is well adapted to the rice–cash crop rotation system in the southern plain area. (Registration No. 5106)

Jungmo1019 early maturing rice variety was developed by the rice breeding team of the Department of Southern Crop, NICS, RDA in 2011. This cultivar was derived from the cross Hwayeongbyeo//Hitomebore/Nampyeongbyeo made in 2005 and the production of doubled haploid rice plant from anther culture in F₁ generation. Testing in the replicated yield trial in 2008, a promising line YR25312Acp62 was selected and it was designated as the Milyang246. The early traus plauting local adaptability test of Milyang246 was carried out at three location in 2011 and it was named as Jungmo1019 showing a high head rice ratio and early–maturity eco-type. Number of spikelet/panicle and 1,000 grain weight of brown rice was slightly lower than those of Jopyeongbyeo. This variety is resistant to bacterial blight, rice stripe virus disease but susceptible to major insect and pests. The milled rice yield of Jungmo1019 is 4.52MT per ha at the early transplanting of the local adaptability test. This line should serve as a useful source for improving head rice ratio at early transplanting cultivation in southern plain area.

Bakanae (foolish seedling) disease caused by Gibberella fujikuroi creates serious problems in the foremost rice growing countries. This study was conducted to identify new resistance genetic sources to Bakanae disease. Bioassay showed that 11 varieties including Gwangmyeongbyeo, Hawn, Wonseadaesoo, Erguailai etc. were resistant to bakanae disease among 254 rice germplasm. Mismatch ratio between phenotype on bakanae disease bioassay and allele type of RM9, a SSR marker closely linked the bakanae disease resistant QTL, qBK1, were 38.3%. These results suggest that RM9 might be used for selecting qBK1, but it cannot be used for wide range of rice germplasm. Resistant germplasm in this study might be have resistant genes different from qBK1. The eleven varieties resistant to selected in this study will be used to identify new resistant alleles or genes to improve bakanae disease resistance in rice.

A rice variety ‘Dabo‘ is a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) with good eating quality, lodging tolerance, and resistance to rice stripe virus (RSV) and blight bacterial disease(BB). It is developed by the rice breeding team of Yeongdeog Substation, National Institute Crop Science, RDA in 2012. This variety derived from a cross between ‘Yeongdeog31’ with good plant type and ‘Milyang165’ with good eating quality conducted in 2001/2002 winter season. A promising line, YR23160-31-2-1-5-B-3, selected by pedigree breeding method was designated as the name of ‘Yeongdeog53’ in 2009. After the local adaptability test was carried out at seven locations from 2010 to 2012, ‘Yeongdeog53’ was released as the name of ‘Dabo’ in 2012. ‘Dabo’ is short culm length as 69 cm and medium-growth duration. This variety is resistant to races, K1, K2, and K3 of bacterial blight and stripe virus and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease. ‘Dabo’ has translucent and clear milled rice kernel without white core and belly rice, and good eating quality as a result of panel test. The yield potential of ‘Dabo’ in milled rice is about 5.90 MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to south plain, east-south costal area, and south mid-mountainous area.

Nunkeunheugchal (registration No. 01-0001-2014-4), a black waxy giant embryo rice cultivar, was developed by the rice breeding team of National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA in 2012. This cultivar was derived from the cross between ge^t and Josaengheugchal in 2004/2005 winter season, and selected by a promising line, YR25277-B-B-314-2, was selected and designated as the line of Milyang263 in 2009. The local adaptability test of Milyang263 was carried out at four locations from 2010 to 2012 and it was named as Nunkeunheugchal. This variety is a early maturity cultivar. It has 65 cm in culm length and 72 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000 grain-weight of brown rice is 17.8 g which is less than that of Josaengheugchal. This variety is resistant to leaf blast, but susceptible to bacterial blight, neck blast, virus disease and insect pest. The yield potential of Nunkeunheugchal was about 3.54 MT/ha as brown rice at ordinary fertilizer level in local adaptability test for three years. Nunkeunheugchal possesses benefits to rice consumers because of high amounts of GABA, anthocyanin, calcium and iron. This variety would be adaptable to the paddy field of middle and southern plain region of Korea.

A rice variety ‘Daebo’ is a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) with good eating quality, lodging tolerance, and resistance to rice stripe virus (RSV) and blight bacterial disease (BB). It is developed by the rice breeding team of Yeongdeog Substation, National Institute Crop Science, RDA in 2011. This variety derived from a cross between ‘YR21247-68-1’ with good plant type and ‘Yeongdeog35’ with good eating quality conducted in 2002 summer season. A promising line, YR23940-B-17-1-2, selected by bulk and pedigree breeding method was designated as the name of ‘Yeongdeog51’ in 2008. After the local adaptability test was carried out at seven locations from 2009 to 2011, ‘Yeongdeog51’ was released as the name of ‘Daebo’ in 2011. ‘Daebo’ is short culm length as 63 cm and medium-growth duration. This variety is resistant to races, K₁, K₂, and K₃ of bacterial blight and stripe virus and moderately resistant to leaf blast disease resistance. ‘Daebo’ has translucent and clear milled rice kernel without white core and belly rice, and good eating quality as a result of panel test. The yield potential of ‘Daebo’ in milled rice is about 5.93 MT/ha at ordinary fertilizer level of local adaptability test. This cultivar would be adaptable to middle plain, south plain, mid-west costal area, and south mid-mountainous area.