Flower color is one of the key trait that determines the marketability of chrysanthemums. However, genetic research on chrysanthemum remains limited because of numerous environmental factors and the complexity of the chrysanthemum genome. To gain a deeper understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying flower color in chrysanthemum, this study conducted genotyping analysis on 94 F₁ progenies derived from a cross between two wild chrysanthemum parents, ‘CWT2’ and ‘CWT8,’ which exhibit distinct flower colors. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was used for SNP identification, resulting in 79,002 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). After stringent filtering, 2,548 SNP markers were selected to construct a GBS-SNP linkage map, which was subsequently used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with flower color. Four QTL were identified, encompassing genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis, carotenoid degradation, and the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. Among the 16 candidate genes analyzed for their potential role in flower color determination, three genes (VDE, CYP707A4, and CYP707A2) were ultimately selected for molecular marker development. The findings of this study provide a valuable foundation for understanding the genetic basis of carotenoid degradation in chrysanthemums. Future in-depth research is expected to facilitate the development of new chrysanthemum varieties for breeding programs through marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.

Hwangmichal, a yellow waxy corn hybrid, is a single cross hybrid developed in 2014. This hybrid was created by crossing the seed parent KY30 and pollen parent KY9. Hwangmichal has yellow kernels with a conico-cylindrical ear shape. The days to silking of Hwangmichal were similar to that of Ilmichal, a check hybrid. The ear height ratio of Hwangmichal was 50%, which was lower than that of Ilmichal, and its number of tillers was less than that of Ilmichal. The ear size of Hwangmichal was smaller than that of Ilmichal and the kernel set ratio was 89%. Its sensory evaluation was better than that of Ilmichal. The carotenoid content of Hwangmichal was 32.2 µg/g, which was much higher than that of Ilmichal. Lodging resistance of Hwangmichal was better than that of Ilmichal. Although the number of fresh ears of Hwangmichal was more than that of Ilmichal, the weight of fresh ears was lower than that of Ilmichal. The flowering period of its parent lines was well matched and seed production was 3:1 at a planting density of parent lines of more than 2:1. It is adaptable to the whole country except for Jeju-do. The plant variety protection right of Hwangmichal was registered in June 2017, and its grant number is 6728.

We developed high-quality Korean pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties to compete with imported chili peppers from China. The ‘OH95’ line, which was introduced from Hungary in 1997, was self-pollinated, and the resulting ‘62067L2’ was selected as a pigment-rich maternal line in 2003. However, RSS and LV2319, both developed in 1993, were cross-bred, after which the paternal line ‘62027R3’ was developed by consecutive selections and generation advancement. After the cross combinations were performed, their horticultural characteristics were evaluated for two years, and subsequently, regional adaptation trials were conducted for at three different sites over three years. Of these, a new pepper variety, ‘Jeockyoung’ exhibited an average ASTA value of 175, representing pigment content, which was approximately 43% higher than that of a commercial cultivar ‘Manitta’. In addition, the capsaicinoid content of ‘Jeockyoung’ was 114.4±11.6 mg/100 g, which was slightly higher than that (86.3±2.8 mg/100 g) of the control cultivar. Moreover, regional adaptation trials revealed that the new variety showed regional differences in annual yield; however, the yield was approximately 18% higher than that of the commercial cultivar. Fruit weight, length, and diameter of the new variety were approximately 21.8 g, 14.3 cm, and 2.2 cm, respectively. The flowering period was approximately 101 days after sowing, which was similar to that of the control cultivar. In addition, leaf length and plant height were also not different from those of the control cultivar.

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).

This study was conducted to compare changes of total carotenoid contents and antioxidant activities in yellow waxy corns (Zea mays L.) depending on harvest time. The total carotenoid contents of yellow waxy inbred lines and hybrids increased from 19 days and then the highest content of total carotenoid contents was observed at 25 to 27 days after pollination. Thereafter, there was little change in total carotenoid contents. According to analysis total content of carotenoids on 23 days after pollination, which was the period of harvesting waxy corn, KY2 was the highest as 15.4 ㎍/g in inbred lines and KY2/KY39 was the hightest as 11.2 ㎍/g in hybrids, respectively. The total carotenoid contents of each hybrid were higher than mean that of their parent lines except for some hybrids. The total carotenoid contents of KY27/KY37 were significantly higher than those of their parental lines. Antioxidant activity of yellow waxy corn showed a tendency to increase after decrease depending on delaying harvesting time. Antioxidant activities of hybrids were higher than that of inbred lines. As a result of correlation analysis between total carotenoid contents and antioxidant activity, correlation coefficient of inbred lines and hybrids was as low as -0.12 and -0.13, respectively. When the harvest time was delayed, the lightness of yellow waxy corn decreased but the redness and yellowness increased. As a result of correlation analysis between Hunter’s Lab value and total carotenoid contents, correlation coefficient of lightness, redness and yellowness were -0.22, 0.67, 0.53, respectively.