“Jeongdami” is a specialized rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety developed to enhance the competitiveness of regional branded rice through its distinct characteristics, setting it apart from those from other regions. It is an early-maturing, semi-dwarf variety with strong resistance to rice blast and features intermediate stickiness with a low amylose content (11.6%), using “Wolbaek” as the maternal parent. The paternal parent is an F₁ hybrid created by crossing the large-grain, intermediate-maturity glutinous rice variety “Nunbora,” which is resistant to bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3), with “Boramchan,” a high-yield, medium-late Japonica variety that is resistant to bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3) and stripe virus. The breeding process culminated in 2020, resulting in “Jeongdami.”. Key agricultural characteristics include an average heading date of August 15, which is 6 days earlier than “Baekjinju”, an important low amylose mid-late cultivar, making it a medium-late variety when grown in the four plains regions in the central plains of Korea. Its culm length is moderately short at 77 cm, with an average of 16 panicles per hill and 96 spikelets per panicle. The 1,000-grain weight of brown rice is 20.0 g, similar to that of “Baekjinju.” There was no premature heading, leaf senescence at maturity was moderate, and the pre-harvest germination rate was 1.7%, lower than that of “Baekjinju” (7.5%). The overall cold tolerance rating was 7, indicating weak tolerance similar to “Baekjinju;” however, the variety showed strong lodging resistance in the field. “Jeongdami” exhibited strong resistance to bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3) and moderate resistance to leaf blast but showed susceptibility to stripe virus, brown planthopper, and white-backed planthopper. The average polished rice yield was 547 kg per 10a, a 16% increase compared to that of “Baekjinju” (472 kg). The grain shape, with a paddy grain length-to-width ratio of 2.2 and a brown rice length-to-width ratio of 1.8, was similar to that of “Baekjinju,” maintaining a short and round shape. The endosperm is clearer than that of “Baekjinju,” providing superior visual quality. The protein content was 6.2%, and the amylose content was 11.5%, indicating intermediate stickiness, which was attributed to the Wx-mq gene. Due to its soft texture and stable cultivation, “Jeongdami” will contribute to increasing rice consumption by enhancing the competitiveness of regionally branded rice with its excellent eating quality and cultivation stability. (Grant No. 9168).

Rice cultivar ‘Saeodae1’ was generated by crossing ‘Saeodae’, which has good taste and a medium-short round grain, and ‘Unbong51’ which has a combined disease resistance and translucent grain. The aim of this was to develop an early maturing rice cultivar with medium-short round grain and high quality rice which adapts to the mid-northern inland plain, northern-middle highland, northern-east coastal region of Korea, and was undertaken by the rice breeding team of Cheolwon Substation, National Institute of Crop Science (NICS), RDA, in 2022. In the normal growing season in the mid-northern inland plain of Korea, the heading date of ‘Saeodae1’ was July 25 around the same time in ‘Odae’. ‘Saeodae1’ had a 75 cm culm length, 1 cm longer than that of ‘Odae’, and 75 spikelets per panicle, similar to that of ‘Odae’. The ripened grain ratio (84.7%) of ‘Saeodae1’ was higher than that (72.5%) of ‘Odae’. The head rice ratio (60.9%) of ‘Saeodae1’ was higher than that of ‘Odae’, which is advantageous in securing yield. 1,000 grain weight (25.9 g) was similar to that of ‘Odae’, but it has a smaller degree of white core rice, leading to an improved consumer preference. ‘Saeodae1’ exhibited resistance to blast and bacterial blight (K1, K2, K3 races), but was susceptible to the K3a race of bacterial blight, stripe virus, dwarf and black streak dwarf viruses, and plant-hoppers. The milled rice of this variety was translucent, with a medium-short grain shape. The cooked rice grains of ‘Saeodae1’ exhibited a good palatability index (0.13) and similar amylose content (18.2%) to that of ‘Odae’. Grain milling characteristics, including head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (82.0%) were better than those of ‘Odae’. Average milled rice productivity of ‘Saeodae1’ was 5.59 t/ha at six sites in the normal growing season (Registration No. 10182(2024.5.14.)).

The rice cultivar ‘JJ644wx’ was developed to improve disease resistance and lodging tolerance of Korean japonica glutinous rice cultivars. ‘JJ644wx’ was derived from a cross between ‘HR27814-B-47-1-1’ (‘Sinjinbaek’), a multiple disease-resistant mid-late maturing elite line, and ‘HR29676-AC29’, a medium-maturing glutinous line with lodging tolerance. To shorten the breeding period, an anther culture method was applied to F₁ plants. ‘JJ644wx’ was selected through the pedigree method, yield trials, and local adaptability tests, with high selection pressure for disease resistance and lodging tolerance. The heading date of ‘JJ644wx’ was August 11th, four days later than that of ‘Sinseonchal’. ‘JJ644wx’ exhibited strong tolerance to lodging with a short culm length. The 1,000-grain weight of brown rice of ‘JJ644wx’ was heavier than that of ‘Sinseonchal’, and its yield was 553 kg/10a, which was 10% higher than that of ‘Sinseonchal’. ‘JJ644wx’ had a higher milling performance than ‘Sinseonchal’, but a lower head rice ratio due to a higher percentage of broken rice. ‘JJ644wx’ tended to be situated between ‘Sinseonchal’ and ‘Dongjinchal’ in terms of pasting and texture characteristics. ‘JJ644wx’ is the only Korean japonica glutinous rice cultivar resistant to the most virulent bacterial blight race, K3a; it also showed resistance to rice blast and stripe virus. ‘JJ644wx’ is expected to be a valuable resource that could contribute to improving the cultivation stability of Korean japonica glutinous rice in response to climate change (Registration No. 9606).

The white sesame variety, ‘Kangyou’ (Sesamum indicum L.) with disease resistance and high yield was developed in 2019. It was developed through a cross between ‘China Black’ and ‘SI982849’, in 2006. The ‘Kangyou’ variety has a few branches and triple capsules per node. ‘Kangyou’ exhibited resistance to Phytophthora blight and Fusarium wilt disease in the field. The yield from ‘Kangyou’ was about 1.37 ton per hectare, 13% higher than that of ‘Goenbaek’. ‘Kangyou’ showed a crude fat content of 53% and a lignan content of 4.8 mg/g. This variety will contribute to the increase in sesame production in Korea and will be used in sesame breeding programs.

‘Haedeul’ is a high-quality rice variety with early maturing that adapts to the central region of Korea. This cultivar was crossed between ‘Gopum’, which has excellent taste, and ‘Hoban’, which has a low viviparous germination rate and is moderately tolerant of cold, by the rice breeding team of the Department of Central Area Crop Science, NlCS, RDA, in 2017. In early-transplanting cultivation, the heading date of ‘Haedeul’ was July 24 in central area of Korea, which was seven days later than that of ‘Jopyeong’. ‘Haedeul’ had a culm length of 75 cm and 99 spikelets per panicle. The viviparous germination rate of ‘Haedeul’ was 7.7%. It showed resistance to blast and bacterial blight (K1, K2, K3 race), but was susceptible to the K3a race of bacterial blight, stripe virus, dwarf and black streak dwarf viruses, and plant-hoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibited a translucent and medium short grain shape. The cooked rice grains of ‘Haedeul’ had an excellent palatability index (0.61) and lower amylose content (18.0%) than that of ‘Jopyeong’. The grain milling characteristics were better than those of ‘Jopyeong’, especially the head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (94.9%). ‘Haedeul’ milled rice productivity averaged 5.32 MT/ha at five sites under ordinary cultivation (Registration No. 7681).

As recent advances in gene editing technologies have enabled rapid and accurate modification of target genes, new varieties are being developed through the application of gene editing technologies in various crop species. In particular, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has become a tool of choice for gene editing because it is much more economical and efficient than previous tools such as ZFN and TALEN, and is being actively used to improve various breeding traits, including biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to overcome the limitations of conventional plant breeding technologies. In this review, we retrieved 210 papers describing the utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 in rice published between 2013 and 2021 and classified them according to the field of study and traits of interest. Further case studies were conducted on 21 and 12 research papers that reported the enhancement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, respectively. This demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing can be highly effective in improving resistance to bacterial (bacterial leaf blight and bacterial leaf streak), fungal (blast, sheath blight), and viral (rice tungro spherical virus, rice black streak virus) diseases as well as various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, cold, and heat, in many cases, without diminishing important agronomic traits. As recent technological advances have begun to overcome the major limitations of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, such as low HDR efficiency and off-target effects, it is expected that more research on gene function and cultivar development will adopt CRISPR/Cas9 as a major gene editing tool in the future. To effectively apply such innovative technologies in crop improvement, much effort is required to establish more reasonable and detailed policies for regulating crops developed through new breeding technologies.

Watermelons are grafted to prevent soil-borne diseases such as Fusarium wilt (FW) and increase their resistance to abiotic stress. Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are a contributing factor to economic loss in several cucurbits, including watermelon. Growing resistance varieties is an effective way to reduce the damage caused by soil-borne diseases. Resistance evaluation was performed on 50 watermelon lines to select rootstocks resistant to FW and RKN. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 was inoculated into 10-day-old seedlings using a root dipping method, and resistance was evaluated for four weeks. The 37-day-old watermelon seedlings were inoculated with Meloidogyne incognita and evaluated 60 days later. Three lines (IT199860, PI296341-6, and PI532811) were resistant to FW race 2, while one line (PI494527) was moderately resistant. Three lines (PI296341-5, PI457916-2, and PI457916-5) were RKN resistant. The PI296341-6 line was selected for its resistance to FW and moderate resistance to RKN. These findings imply that the identified resistant lines can be used in rootstock breeding programs against FW and/or RKN.

A white sesame variety ‘Nuri (Sesamum indicum L.)’ with resistance to Phytophthora blight disease was developed in 2016. It was derived from a cross between ‘Suwon 131’ and ‘Yangbaek’ in 1999. ‘Nuri’ has few branches and triple capsules per node. Notably, ‘Nuri’ exhibited resistance to Phytophthora blight and Fusarium wilt and a yield of approximately 1.19 tons per hectare, 17% higher than that of ‘Kopoom’. ‘Nuri’ presented a crude fat content of 49.0% and protein content of 26.1%. Thus, this variety would contribute to increased sesame production. (Registration no. 7889).

‘Keunpum’ is a mid-late maturing, high yielding, giant embryo rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar which is adapted to central plains and was developed to be used as (germinated) brown rice. It is resistant to multiple diseases with a good grain quality. This cultivar was derived by crossing a giant embryo rice variety ‘Keunnun’ and a mid-late maturing, multi-disease resistant rice cultivar ‘Samkwang’-it has good palatability of cooked rice. The growth period of this cultivar is approximately 117 d from seeding to heading, with a culm length of 88 ㎝, panicle length of 20 ㎝, 13 panicles per hill, 136 spikelets per panicle, and 1,000-grain weight of 19.1 g brown rice. This variety has low tolerance to cold stress and premature germination similar to ‘Keunnun’ but exhibits high resistance to lodging. In addition, ‘Keunpum’ is resistant to bacterial blight (race K1, K2, K3), rice stripe virus, and is moderately resistant to leaf and neck blast. Its average milled rice yield for three years reached 5.34 MT/ha, which is 10% higher than that of ‘Keunnun’. In the brown and germinated brown rice of this cultivar, the total dietary fiber content are 6.45% and 6.71%, and the GABA (γ-amino butyric acid) content are 6.61 and 39.47 mg/100 g, respectively. In addition, the total contents of polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin were higher in ‘Keunpum’ brown rice than in ‘Keunnun’. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 75.23, 116.08 mg TE/100g, respectively. These functional components and antioxidant activities play an important role in inhibiting diseases and the aging process of the human body. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a basic data in the manufacture of secondary processed products using germinated brown rice (Grant No. 7684).

Phytophthora root rot attributable to infection by the soil-borne oomycete Phytophthora sojae causes serious damage to susceptible soybeans grown in poorly drained soil. Management of this disease depends primarily on Rps (resistance to P. sojae) resistance genes. The
objective
of this study was to map resistance to two P. sojae isolates (40412 and 2457) in a Daepung×Socheong2 recombinant inbred line population. Of these two varieties, Socheong2 is resistant to the two isolates, whereas Daepung is susceptible. Single-marker analysis of variance and linkage analyses using a high-density genetic map identified different resistance loci for each isolate. A genomic region of 36.2~37.4 Mbp on chromosome 3 was identified as being associated with resistance to isolate 40412, explaining 18% of the phenotypic variance (PV), whereas, a 2.1~2.6-Mbp region on chromosome 18 was significantly associated with resistance to isolate 2457, accounting for approximately 26% of the PV. An additional region of 53.1~53.3 Mbp on chromosome 18 was also significantly associated with resistance to isolate 2457. All three loci coincide with genomic regions where an Rps gene or partial resistance have been mapped in previous studies. The respective locus showed significance for only one or the other of the isolates, indicating an isolate-specific interaction. From this finding, it can be inferred that isolates 40412 and 2457 are characterized by different avirulence genes, and that Socheong2 has at least two Rps genes that interact with each isolate. The finding of multiple Rps loci specific to an isolate within a single soybean genotype is a unique discovery. Socheong2 will accordingly be a useful genetic source for breeding resistance to multiple P. sojae isolates.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a traditional oil seed crop grown in Korea. Sesame cultivation in Korea, however, is difficult and the yield is still very low. As such, a sesame variety, ‘Yoomi,’(Sesamum indicum L.) with disease resistance and high yield was developed in 2012. It was obtained by crossing ‘Yangbaek’ and SIG950480-6-3-1 in 2001. ‘Yoomi’ has few branches and a triple capsule per node. Notably ‘Yoomi’ exhibited a resistance to Phytophthora blight disease and a lodging resistance in the field. The yield of ‘Yoomi’ was about 1.06 ton per hectare, 8% higher than that of ‘Yangbaek’. ‘Yoomi’ crude fat content was 49.7%, and lignan content was 6.62 mg/g. This variety will contribute to increasing sesame production in Korea and will be utilized in sesame breeding programs.

‘Jinkwang’, a japonica rice variety, was developed by a cross between ‘Hopum’ (IT23527) and the F1 hybrid of ‘Unkwang’ (IT217814) and ‘Koshihikari’ (IT157335) by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2016. ‘Unkwang’ shows an early maturity and high yield and ‘Koshihikari’ is a high-quality variety. The growth duration of ‘Jinkwang’ in the paddy field was 114 days in the middle plain region in Korea, which was six days later than that of ‘Jopyeong’. The culm length of ‘Jinkwang’ was 62 cm, which was 13 cm shorter than that of ‘Jopyeong’. The panicle of ‘Jinkwang’ was composed of 100 spikelets. The viviparous germination rate of ‘Jinkwang’ was 28.3%. ‘Jinkwang’ showed resistance to blast and bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3 races); however, it was susceptible to stripe virus, dwarf and black-streaked dwarf viruses, and plant hoppers. The milled rice grains of ‘Jinkwang’ showed an excellent palatability index (0.42) and lower protein content (6.2%) than that of ‘Jopyeong’. The grain milling characteristics were better than those of ‘Jopyeong’, especially in terms of brown/rough rice ratio and milled/rough rice ratio (75.9%). ‘Jinkwang’ showed a milled rice productivity of 5.91 MT/ha at eight sites under ordinary cultivation conditions. (Registration No. 7318).

“Samkwang1,” a japonica rice variety, was developed as a cross between “Samkwang” and F1 of Suwon152 (IT008283), which has a medium maturing and lodging resistance and Samkwang (IT284608), a high quality variety with bacterial blight resistance and mid-late maturing property by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2015. The heading date of “Samkwang1” was August 8 in the middle plain area, which was 2 days early than that of “Hwaseong.” “Samkwang1” had a culm length of 77 cm, which was 7 cm shorter than that of “Hwaseong,” and it had 128 spikelets per panicle. The viviparous germination rate of “Samkwang1” was 2.1%. “Samkwang1” showed resistance to blast, bacterial blight (K1, K2, and K3 race) and stripe virus, but was susceptible to the K3a race of bacterial blight, dwarf and black streak dwarf viruses, and plant hoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibits translucent and medium short grains. The cooked rice grains of “Samkwang1” have an excellent palatability index (0.35) and lower protein content (6.2%) than that of “Hwaseong.” The characteristics related to grain milling were better than those of “Hwaseong,” especially the head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (94.2%). “Samkwang1” showed 5.62 MT/ha of milled rice productivity at 11 sites under ordinary cultivation conditions (Registration No. 6798).

Cheongpum’, a japonica rice variety, was developed from a cross between Yeongdeog45 and ‘Samkwang’ by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2015. The heading date of ‘Cheongpum’ was August 10 in the middle plain area, which was two days later than that of ‘Hwaseong’. ‘Cheongpum’ had a culm length of 79 cm, which was 5 cm shorter than that of ‘Hwaseong’, and 116 spikelets per panicle. The viviparous germination rate of ‘Cheongpum’ was 27.9%. It showed resistance to blast, bacterial blight (K1, K2, K3 race), and stripe virus, but susceptibility to the K3a race of bacterial blight, dwarf, and black streak dwarf viruses, and plant hoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibited a translucent and medium short grain shape. The cooked rice grains of ‘Cheongpum’ had an excellent palatability index (0.41) and lower amylose content (18.8%) than that of ‘Hwaseong’. The grain milling characteristics were better than those of ‘Hwaseong’, especially the head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (94.1%). ‘Cheongpum’ showed 5.36 MT/ha of milled rice productivity at 11 sites under ordinary cultivation (Registration No. 6799).

A new Rehmannia glutinosa cultivar ‘Dagang’ was bred from ‘Jihwang 1’ (check variety) seedlings by the medicinal crop breeding team of the National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science, RDA, in 2010. It has pink flowers, a dark brown seed coat, and a light yellow root cortex. The plant type was intermediate erect, whereas ‘Jihwang 1’ showed some drooping. The leaf shape was narrow oblong, whereas ‘Jihwang 1’ was oblong. The yield of dried root was higher than that of ‘Jihwang 1’. ‘Dagang’ showed stronger resistance to root rot than did ‘Jihwang 1’, rendering it more stable in cultivation. The regional adaptation trials were conducted at three different locations from 2009 to 2010. The average yield of ‘Dagang’ was 20.1 ton/ha, which was 14% higher than that of ‘Jihwang 1’. Also, compared with ‘Jihwang 1’, the yield of ‘Dagang’ was 1%–3% higher than that of the existing cultivars ‘Kokang’ and ‘Togang’. This cultivar could adapt to most of the cultivation areas in Korea, except for mountainous regions (Registration No. 4724).

A new Rehmannia glutinosa cultivar ‘Tokang’ was derived from ‘Jihwang 1’ seedlings by medicinal crop breeding team of National Institute of Horticulture and Herbal Science, RDA in 2009. It has pink flower, dark brown seed coat, light yellow root cortex. The plant type was some rising from the ground. The content of catalpol and extract were higher than the ‘Jihwang 1’(check variety). The content of catalpol was 4.55% and the extract was 71.2%. It showed stronger resistance to root rot compare with the ‘Jihwang 1’. The regional yield trials were conducted at three different locations from 2007 to 2009. The average yield of ‘Tokang’ was 21.1ton/ha, which was 12% more than the ‘Jihwang 1’. This cultivar is adaptable to the whole of Korea except for mountain areas. (Registration No. 4725)

The 'Misomi' is a rice variety derived from a cross between ‘Sobi’ which has adaptability of low fertilizer cultivation and SR21110 (Ilpum/Jinbu19) by the rice breeding team at National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in 2013. The heading date of ‘Misomi’ is August 14 and six days later than check variety, ‘Hwaseong’. It has 83 cm of culm length and 121 spikelets per panicle. It showed weaker cold tolerance than that of ‘Hwaseong’ during exposed to cold stress. ‘Misomi’ showed resistance to blast disease, K1, K2 and K3 race of bacterial blight and stripe virus, but susceptibility to K3a race, other viruses and planthoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibits translucent, clear non-glutinous endosperm and short grain shape. It has low protein content (6.2%) and similar amylose content (19.4%) to that of ‘Hwaseong’. ‘Misomi’ showed better palatability index of cooked rice than that of ‘Hwaseong’. Particulary, ‘Misomi’ showed excellent processing adaptability than ‘Chucheong’ and ‘Hwaseong’ on palatability index of cold and aseptic cooked rice. Its milled rice recovery rate is similar to those of ‘Hwaseong’. However, whole grain rate of milled rice is higher than that of ‘Hwaseong’. 'Misomi' has 5.68 MT/ha of milled rice productivity in ordinary cultivation, which was 12% higher than that of ‘Hwaseong’. 'Misomi' could be adaptable to the middle plain area and Midwest coast area in Korea (Grant No. 5635).

The ‘Jungmo1023’ is the japonica rice variety developed from a cross between Yeongdeog34 and F1 of Iksan456 and SR21097-B-B-19-2-2 by the rice breeding team at NICS in 2012. The heading date of ‘Jungmo1023’ is August 3 in middle plain area and it is six days earlier than ‘Hwaseong’. ‘Jungmo1023’ has 80 cm of culm length which is 4 cm shorter than those of ‘Hwaseong’ and 107 spikelet per panicle. The premature heading rate of ‘Jungmo1023’ was 3.3%. It showed resistance to blast, bacterial blight (K1, K2, K3 race) and stripe virus, but susceptibility to K3a race of bacterial blight, dwarf and black streak dwarf viruses and planthoppers. The milled rice of this variety exhibits translucent and medium short grain shape. It has better palatability index of cooked rice (0.24) and lower amylose content (18.0%) than that of ‘Hwaseong’. The characteristics related to grain milling were better than those of ‘Hwaseong’, especially head rice milling recovery ratio and head rice ratio (96.2%). ‘Jungmo1023’ showed 4.56 MT/ha of milled rice productivity at 7 sites in ordinary cultivation. However, ‘Jungmo1023’ showed early cultivation culture adaptability because of 98% of its yield potential (4.99 MT/ha) compared to high yielding early-maturing variety ‘Jopyeong’. ‘Jungmo1023’ could be adaptable to the middle plain, mid-mountainous and north-east coastal area in Korea (Registration No. 5115).