Here, we report on the development of a high-quality, bicolor waxy corn, ‘Mihyeonchal’, containing anthocyanin. ‘Mihyeonchal’ was produced by crossing the two inbred lines, HW18 as the seed parent and HW19 as the pollen parent. The hybrid was made in 2016 and has been evaluated for three years in Hongcheon, Yeoncheon, Cheongju, Daegu, Jinju, and Suwon in Korea since 2017. The days to silking of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was 72 days, which was three days earlier than that of the standard variety, ‘Ilmichal’. The number and weight of fresh ears of ‘Mihyeonchal’ were 112% and 96%, respectively, compared to those of ‘Ilmichal’, and the anthocyanin content was 76.8 mg/kg, which was higher than that of ‘Ilmichal’. The lodging index was 1.9, which was weaker than that of ‘Ilmichal’, but its resistance to insects and diseases was stronger than that of ‘Ilmichal’, confirming the cultivation stability of ‘Mihyeonchal’. As a result of regional yield trials that had been conducted for three years, we confirmed that ‘Mihyeonchal’ could be cultivated in all regions in Korea and was an excellence variety. The plant variety protection right of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was registered in April 2024, and its grant number is 10127.

We report the development of a high quality red waxy corn ‘Mihongchal’, containing anthocyanin. Mihongchal was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HW9’ as seed parent and ‘HCW5’ as pollen parent. The hybrid was created in 2016 and evaluated in Hongcheon, Pyungchang, and Yeongwol for 3 years. Mihongchal days to silking was 72 days and the other agronomic characteristics were similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Mihongchal yield was slightly lower than ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Fresh ears number and weight were 93 and 91% compared to ‘Mibaek 2ho’, respectively but anthocyanin content was 1,160 mg/kg, which is higher than ‘Mibake 2ho’. Resistance to insects, diseases, and lodging was similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Due to the analysis, it was recognized as functional waxy corn with high quality characteristics and anthocyanin content. Since regional yield tests was performed in only Gangwon State, it is recommended only in that region for cultivation. Mihongchal is a resource with excellent taste and functionality that can increase the value of waxy corn. The chosen variety was termed ‘Mihongchal’, its plant variety protection right was registered in February 2023 (Registration No. 9354).

A new anthocyanin-rich hybrid variety, ‘Saekso 1’, is developed which is characterized by yellow grains, and purple husks and cobs. This variety was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HA1’ (as the seed parent) and ‘HA2’ (as the pollen parent). It was made in 2008/2009 and evaluated in Hongcheon for two years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 1’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2014. The anthocyanin content of ‘Saekso 1’ in husk was 10.39±0.09 g/100 g, which was much higher than that of Kangilok (0 mg/100 g). Since regional tests were conducted only in Gangwon province, this variety is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. ‘Saekso 1’ is a health food resource for bioactive materials (Registration No. 4967).

‘Jangsuheukchal’ waxy corn was developed through single-cross by Gyeonggido Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2012. The seed parent inbred ‘GMB0016’ was crossed with the pollen parent inbred ‘GMB0017’ in 2010. ‘Jangsuheukchal’ took 72 days to silking, which was 4 days sooner than ‘Miheukchal’, and ‘Jangsuheukchal’ was 195 cm in height, which was 12 cm less than that of ‘Miheukchal’; the occurrence of lodging was low in the new species. Among the ear characteristics, the kernel setting rate was very high (99%), and the grain pericarp thickness was slightly more than that of ‘Miheukchal’, but the sensory evaluation was positive because of the high amylopectin content and the fine ear appearance. The regional yield trials were conducted in four areas for two years in 2011-2012, and the density of fresh ears for ‘Jangsuheukchal’ was determined as 62,280 ears/ha, which was 6% higher than that of ‘Miheukchal’, but the weight of the fresh ears was 9,178 kg/ha, which was 17% lighter than its counterpart. In order to diversify the use of fresh waxy corn, the cooking properties of milled waxy corns were investigated and compared to ‘Mibaek2’, which was the main cultivar in Gyeonggido province in 2018. The grain yield per ha of ‘Jangsuheukchal’ was 5,600 kg, which was 12% less than that of ‘Mibaek2’, but after harvesting fresh ears, the grain yield per ha was 1,060 kg, which was 10.6 times more than the known cultivar. In addition, compared to ‘Mibaek2’, ‘Jangsuheukchal’ showed excellent processing characteristics in the cooking properties for milled kernels because of its light 100-seed weight, low protein content, and high starch content. Therefore, we report ‘Jangsuheukchal’ as a new variety, suitable for use as a fresh corn and possessing the cooking properties of milled kernels (Registration No. 6065).

Consumers currently prefer healthy food with antioxidant or anti-diabetic activities. This study was conducted to develop a waxy corn with high carotenoid content. A yellow waxy corn single cross hybrid ‘Goldchal’ was developed by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2015. The seed parent inbred HW16 was crossed with the pollen parent inbred HW17 in 2010. The number and weight of fresh ears per 10 a for ‘Goldchal’ were 6,385 and 1,339 kg, respectively, comparable to those of ‘Ilmichal’ in regional yield trials from 2013 to 2015. The hybrid contained 15.8 mg/kg carotenoids, which were 15.0 mg/kg higher than that of ‘Ilmichal’. The lodging tolerance of ‘Goldchal’ was superior to that of ‘Ilmichal’ and resistance to disease and insects was similar to those of ‘Ilmichal’. The silking date of the seed parent HW16 was in the pollen dispersal period of the pollen parent HW17, and F₁ seed yield was 186 kg/10a. ‘Goldchal’ could be cultivated throughout Korea. The plant variety protection right of ‘Goldchal’ was registered in June 2017 (Grant Number 6722).

A new waxy corn single cross hybrid ‘Jangsuchal’ was developed by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2014. The seed parent inbred HW12 was crossed with the pollen parent inbred HW15 in 2009. Days to silking of ‘Jangsuchal’ was three days later than ‘Ilmichal’, a check hybrid. Ear length of the hybrid was 22.2 cm, which was 2.8 cm greater than ‘Ilmichal’. The hybrid had thin pericarp thickness, high amylopectin content, and high value of sensory evaluation compared with ‘Ilmichal’. Resistance to disease and insect and lodging tolerance of ‘Jangsuchal’ were similar to those of ‘Ilmichal’. The number and weight of fresh ears for ‘Jangsuchal’ were greater than those of ‘Ilmichal’ in regional yield trials from 2012 to 2014. Silking date of the seed parent HW12 was in the pollen dispersal period of the pollen parent HW15 and F₁ seed yield was 242 kg/10a. ‘Jangsuchal’ can be planted anywhere in the country. Plant variety protection right of ‘Jangsuchal’ was registered in June 2017 with grant number of 6730.

We report the development of new anthocyanin-rich grain corn hybrid variety ‘Saekso 2’. The seed parent, HA3 and the pollen parent, HA4 was developed from breeding materials collected from China in 2008 and from Canada in 2000, respectively. The hybrid was made in the winter of 2010/2011 and evaluated in Hongcheon for 3 years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 2’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2017. Anthocyanin content of Saekso 2 in grain was 685 mg/100g and was much higher than that of Saeko 1(0mg/100g). Since regional tests was conducted in only Gangwon province, it is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. For the highest content of anthocyanin, it is best to harvest grains at around 45 days after silking. Saekso 2 is the first hybrid bred specifically for processing for high anthocyanin production.

This study was carried out to create new popcorn variety. ‘G-Popcorn’ was made by single crossing with two inbred lines, the seed parent, GP3, and the pollen parent, GP4. The hybrid was made in 2009 and selected in 2014 after investigating characteristics for three years from 2012 to 2014. ‘G-Popcorn’ was evaluated on 2 or 3 places in Gangwon-do for three years. ‘G-Popcorn’ showed higher lodging tolerance and popping volume in contrast to the check variety ‘Oryunpopcorn’. The plant height is 213cm indicating 5cm lower than that of ‘Oryunpopcorn’. Also, ration ear height of plant height of ‘G-Popcorn’ is 59%. The weight of 100 seeds was 15.5g, similar to that of ‘Oryunpopcorn’. The popping volume of ‘G-Popcorn’ was about 28.3cm³/g, higher than 25.0cm³/g of ‘Oryunpopcorn’. The yield of ‘G-Popcorn’ was 467kg/10a in regional yield trials for three years, which was 7% higher than that of ‘Oryunpopcorn’.

This study was carried out to create new waxy corn variety using anthocyanins germplasm including 13 ornamental maize stocks, purple corn and two parental lines of Mibaek2. First, we made anthocyanin husk population for sustainable breeding from 13 ornamental stocks for 6 years from 2001 and then crossed purple corn with a dark purple kernel in 2007. We crossed this hybrid with two parental lines of Mibaek2, a good edible quality waxy corn, in 2007/2008 dry season nursery for additional breeding in Thailand. The anthocyanin-rich waxy lines derived from these hybrids were self-fertilized seven times and made single cross hybrids until 2011. These hybrids were evaluated on 2 or 3 places in Gangwon-do for next two years. One selected elite hybrid was named Cheongchunchal and applied for registration of new waxy corn variety in March 2014. Total anthocyanins content is zero in Mibaek2, 737 in Miheugchal, 18,809 mg/kg in Cheongchunchal. This variety is meaningful as health food and high-value industrial material.

A ‘Hayanchal95’, a new waxy corn hybrid, is a single cross hybrid developed by the maize breeding team at the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), Rural Development Administration(RDA) in 2011. This hybrid was made by crossing between seed parent KW44 and pollen parent KW35. Days to silking of Hayanchal95 was three days earlier than Ilmichal, a check hybrid. Ear length and diameter of Hayanchal95 were 18.3 cm and 4.1 cm, respectively. The ratio of kernel set length to ear length was 90% and lower than Ilmichal. Its quality characteristics like amylopectin content, hardness of kernels, and value of sensory evaluation were not significantly different from Ilmichal except grain length. Resistance to corn borer and lodging tolerance of Hayanchal95 were better than Ilmichal. The number of fresh ears was similar to those of Ilmichal and weight of fresh ears was lower than Ilmichal in regional yield trials (RYT) from 2009 to 2011. Although flowering time of its parent lines was good match during crossing between the seed and pollen parents, seed production was low. It is adaptable to the whole country. Plant variety protection right of ‘Hayanchal95’ was registered in July 2014, and its grant number is 5110.

A single cross hybrid, ‘Godangok’, is a yellow sweet corn developed by the maize breeding team at the National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), Rural Development Administration (RDA) in 2011. This hybrid was produced by crossing between KSE5 and KSE19. KSE5 is a seed parent and KSE19 is a pollen parent of Godangok. Days to silking of Godangok was 3 days later than Danok 3, a check hybrid. Ear length and diameter of Godangok were 17.6 cm and 4.4 cm, respectively. The ratio of kernel set length to ear length was 87.1%. These characteristics of ear were similar to those of the check hybrid. However, the Degree Brix was 24.3 °Bx, higher than the check hybrid, 14.1 °Bx. Lodging tolerance of Godangok was better than the check hybrid. The number and weight of fresh ear of Godangok were similar to those of the check hybrid in regional yield trials (RYT) from 2009 to 2011. Seed production of this hybrid is good due to good match between the seed and pollen parent. It is adaptable to the whole country. Plant variety protection right of ‘Godangok’ was registered in July 2014, and its grant number is 5094.