The covalent conjugation of SUMO(Small Ubiquitin-related MOdifier) protein to its substrates regulates numerous cellular processes, including protein stability and activity in eukaryotes as well as in plants. In this present review, we summarize biochemical aspects of SUMO conjugation and deconjugation and the functions of SUMO and sumoylation-related proteins in Arabidopsis and other plants. In particular, we provide an overview of the roles of the SUMO in widely different biological processes including the ABA response, floral induction, pathogen defense, abiotic stresses and hormone signaling. Furthermore, we explore the possible roles of SUMO in embryo and seed development.

Quantitative trait loci, a genetic concept for explaining the inheritance of non-Mendelian traits in 1940s, have been realized as particular fragments of chromosome even unique genes in most crops in 21st century. However, only very a small portion of QTL has been screened out by geneticists comparing to a great number of genes underneath the quantitative traits. These identified QTL even have been seldom used into breeding program because crop breeders may not find the QTL in their breeding populations in their field station. Several key points will be proposed to meet the challenges of QTL analysis today: a fine mapping population and the related reference genetic map, QTL evaluation in multiple environments, recognizing real QTL with small genetic effect, map integration.

Pepper fruit anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is an economically important disease that causes serious yield loss and quality deterioration in many Asian countries including South Korea and Taiwan. Recently, Capsicum baccatum PI594137 was found to exhibit broad-spectrum resistance to Colletotrichum acutatum. The inheritance of anthracnose resistance to C. acutatum was analyzed in an intraspecific population derived from a cross between C. baccatum Golden-aji and PI594137. Detached mature green fruits were inoculated using the microinjection method. The disease response was evaluated as the disease incidence and the overall lesion diameter at 7 days after inoculation(DAI). The segregation ratios of resistance and susceptibility to C. acutatum in the $F_2$ and $BC_s$ populations significantly fit a 3:1 Mendelian model. This result indicates that the resistance of PI594137 to C. acutatum is controlled by a single dominant gene.

Aromatic rice has become popular owing to its aroma. Growing demand for aromatic rice has spurred interest in the development of domestic cultivars that offer similar combinations of grain attributes such as texture, cooking characteristics, aroma, and taste. In this study, the most important agronomic attributes and aroma of 26 cultivars from Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan, and controls from Japan, Thailand, and India were characterized. Also $F_2$ populations derived from the cross between(Jasmine 85 aromatic$\times$Nipponbare non-aromatic) and(Jasmine 85$\times$Basmati 370 aromatic) were obtained. Tasting individual grains, cooking test, 1.7% KOH sensory test, and molecular marker analysis have been applied to distinguish between aromatic and non-aromatic rice. Diversity for some traits of agronomic importance, such as plant height was detected among countries, e.g. Afghan cultivars classified as tall, and Iranian and Uzbek intermediate and short, respectively. Differentiations of panicle, grain, leaf, basal internode, and culm dimension among rice cultivars, indicating the source of rice diversity in Central Asia. According to the results, 6 of 10, 2 of 7, and 0 of 6 of Afghan, Iranian, and Uzbek rice cultivars were scored as aromatic, respectively. Therefore, Afghan cultivars are a good source of aromatic rice germplasm for Central Asia. The expression between aromatic and non-aromatic, and aromatic and aromatic combinations has been evaluated. The observed segregation ratio of these crosses in the $F_2$ populations was tested by $x^2$ analysis against the expected ratio for a single gene. A segregation ratio of 3:1 between non-aromatic and aromatic combination has been detected, while segregation has not been detected between the aromatic and aromatic combinations. Also, parallel results were obtained from the tested aromatic rice cultivars. Thus, our results suggest that a single recessive gene controls aroma in all aromatic rice cultivars.

The relationship between three phenological parameters and somatic embryogenesis was investigated during a two-year period. Staminodes and petals from six hybrids and two clones as controls were sowed on three distinct primary callus growth media. Flowering level, fructification level, and leaf thrusts rhythm as phenological parameters were measured simultaneously during the weekly harvest of flower buds. Mean and coefficient of variation of the measured parameters highlighted stable phenological phases. The relationship between phenological parameters and somatic embryogenesis was investigated first by comparing the variation of somatic embryogenesis and that of the phenological parameters, and second by using Pearson's linear correlation. Except for the fructification level in both control clones the first year, the other parameters recorded stable phenological phases, regardless of the genotype and year. Favorable and unfavorable phases for the somatic embryogenesis were identified. In hybrids, favorable phases included February, August, September, and October. In both control clones, time interval propitious to embryogenesis stretched from February to December. The significance of the coefficient of correlation seemed to establish a relationship between somatic embryogenesis and phenology. However, a causal link could not be established. Leaf thrusts rhythm was revealed to be the phenological parameter most linked to somatic embryogenesis. Attempts to optimize embryogenesis during unfavorable phases, showed that a correction of 2.4 D/TDZ concentration is not the solution.

Improvement of $N_2$ fixation by symbiotic rhizobia is considered an effective means for enhancing its productivity without high input of nitrogen(N) fertilizer. Several methods to improve $N_2$ fixation have been proposed including the use of supernodulating mutants. The objective of this research was to identify the varietal difference in N and $N_2$-fixation ability among the soybean supernodulating mutants, SS2-2 and Sakukei 4, with different nodulation abilities using $^{15}N$ in field conditions in both Korea and Japan. The dry weight(DW) was higher in wild-type soybeans. The distribution rate of DW in each plant part was high in seeds of supernoduating and wild-type soybeans but high in stems and leaves of non-nodulating mutants. Although the supernodulating mutants had a low DW rate at maturity, they showed a similar $N_2$ fixation ability compared with wild-type. Supernodulating mutant plants mainly obtained N from $N_2$ fixation, while soil N was the main resource for obtaining N in non-nodulating mutants. The percentage of N derived from atmospheric dinitrogen(Ndfa) was higher in supernodulating mutants than in wild-type and relatively high in seeds between plant parts at maturity. In particular, supernodulating mutants showed higher N content in roots than those of wild-type and non-nodulating mutants. It was considered that supernodulating mutants have the advantage of saving nitrate in soil and being beneficial for N absorption of subsequent crops due to their conserving more N in the field and releasing considerable amounts of N from roots and leaves fallen to the soil.

Korean cultivated bramble, which is known as Bokbunja-ddal-gi is regarded to be originated from Korea native Rubus coreanus. However, little scientific evidence and significant morphological differences between Korean cultivated bramble(KCB) and R. coreanus throw doubt on the ancestry of KCB. This study was carried out to obtain phylogenetic information on KCB by comparing its nuclear genomic background with those of R. coreanus, black(R. occidentalis) and red(R. idaeus) raspberry, blackberry(R. lanciniatus) and R. crataegifolius. A total of 99 random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) markers were generated and used for phylogenetic analysis of 76 Rubus accessions. Accessions of each species were grouped into each distinct subclade by the RAPD markers at a similarity coefficient of about 0.59. The KCB subclade formed a clade with R. occidentalis and R. crataegifolius subclades at a similarity coefficient of 0.47. The R. coreanus subclade formed a clade with R. idaeus, R. lanciniatus and R. crataegifolius subclades at a similar similarity coefficient. Only one KCB accession from Hoengsung was included in R. coreanus subclade. The accession shows leaf and flower characteristics different from the rest of the KCB accessions. The phylogenetic relationship inferred from the RAPD markers suggests that the nuclear genomic background of KCB accessions which show morphological similarity to black raspberry is more closely related to black raspberry than to R. coreanus. This brings about the need for close scientific evaluations on the ancestry of KCB at both morphological and molecular levels.

Lignans and neolignans are optically active plant secondary metabolites. Research on biosynthesis of lignans has already been advanced especially for the formation of (+) pinoresinol but information on the biosynthesis of 8-O-4'- neolignans is still limited. Moreover, the chemical structure(position of substituents on aromatic rings) and stereochemistry of 8-O-4' neolignans is not clear. Katayama and Kado discovered that incubation of cell-free extracts from E. ulmoides with coniferyl alcohol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide gave (+)-erythro- and (-)-threo- guaiacylglycerol 8-O-4'-(coniferyl alcohol) ether (GGCE)(diastereomeric ratio, 3:2) which is the first report on enzymatic formation of optically active -8-O-4' neolignans from an achiral monolignol. In this aspect, enzymatic formation of guaiacyl 8-O-4' neolignan is noteworthy to clarify its stereochemistry from incubation of coniferyl alcohol with enzyme prepared from Eucommia ulmoides. In this experiment, soluble and insoluble enzymes prepared from E. ulmoides were incubated with 30 mM coniferyl alcohol(CA) for 60 min. The enzyme catalyzed GGCE, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol(DHCA), and pinoresinol identified by reversed phase HPLC. Consequently, diastereomeric compositions of GGCE were determined as erythro and threo isomer. Enantiomeric composition was determined by the chiral column HPLC. Both enzyme preparations enantioselectively formed (-)-erythro, (+)-erythro and (+)-threo, (-)-threo-GGCEs respectively.

Azuki bean has never been commercially grown in Thailand, due in part to a lack of suitable varieties. A core collection of 114 azuki bean accessions, originally from different parts of China(northern, central, southern) representing the germplasm of Chinese land races, were evaluated in the experimental field of the Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China from June to October 2004. The same experiment was repeated at Kamphaeng Saen campus of Kasetsart University, Thailand from February to May 2005. Yield, yield components, and agronomic traits were recorded in all accessions in order to identify certain genotypes for further investigation. The statistical parameters that were used as indicators of phenotypic variation were mean, coefficient of variability(CV), correlation coefficient(r), range, mean difference, and phenotypic clustering of the accessions. The results indicated that the azuki bean varieties planted in Kamphaeng Saen were shorter, earlier in growing duration, and lower in plant height, seed yield per plant, 100-seed weight, and pods per plant as compared to when they were grown in China. This discrepancy was caused largely by the combined effect of temperature, rainfall, and day length. The traits that were rather stable in both locations were branches per plant and seeds per pod. Azuki bean varieties from northern China showed higher response to the changing environments compared with those from central and southern China. Some agronomic traits showed high correlation coefficient between the environments in Thailand and China. The CV of agronomic traits in both locations were ranked in descending order as follows: seed yield per plant, pods per plant, branches per plant, plant height, 100-seed weight, seeds per pod, and growing duration. The CV of seeds per pod and branches per plant were almost the same in both locations. Yield per plant in China correlated well(r=0.75) with pods per plant, but not with the other traits. Based on their response to both environments, the azuki bean accessions can be broadly divided into four groups, viz. northern 1, northern 2, central, and southern. This implied that there was more diversity, but probably less stability among the accessions originating from northern China.

Isoflavone content in various parts of six soybean cultivars and soybean sprout during germination was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The parts analyzed were seed coat, cotyledon, and axis for seeds and whole sprout, root, hypocotyl, and cotyledon for sprout. Two cultivars, Aga3 which is known to have the smallest seed size and the highest isoflavone content among the Korean soybean cultivars and Pungsannamulkong which is the most widely being used as soy-sprout, were selected for sampling from 1 to 10 days after germination. At the same weight, the order of isoflavone content increased from seed coat to cotyledon to axis. The highest total isoflavone(isoflavone$\times$dry weight) content was observed in the cotyledon and the lowest in the seed coat. The cotyledon of the Aga3 variety had the highest total isoflavone content and the lowest was measured in the Pungsannamulkong variety. The highest total isoflavone content, $10,788{\mu}g/g$, was observed in whole sprouts(cotyledon+hypocotyl+root) on day 7 for Aga3. After day 7, there was a decreasing trend in isoflavone content as the germination period increased. Total isoflavone content in the cotyledon of Aga3 significantly increased after seed germination, whereas the isoflavone content in the cotyledon of Pungsannamulkong decreased. However, total isoflavone content in the root of both varieties increased while isoflavone content in the hypocotyls decreased after seed germination.

The induced genetic divergence was estimated in 44 mutant lines of finger millet variety GPU 26, developed by single and combination treatments with gamma rays, EMS and NG using three multivariate analyses. The mutant lines were grouped into eight genetically diverse clusters by multivariate D2 and canonical analyses and 11 clusters by dendrogram grouping through Gower's similarity coefficient. The clustering pattern in these three methods was almost similar. Twelve mutant lines in D2 and 13 in the dendrogram grouping method were grouped in the parental cluster(Cluster I) indicating that they did not possess enough divergence from the parent to be classified as micromutant lines. However a large proportion of mutant lines showed divergence from the parent variety and also among themselves. No definite relationship of mutagenic origin and clustering of mutant lines were observed. The mutant lines developed from the same mutagenic treatments often grouped into different clusters indicating that each mutagenic treatment was effective in inducing diverse types of changes in the nine traits studied. The hybridization program between the divergent mutant lines GE 2-2 or GE 3-4 with GG 3-1 is expected to give promising and desirable segregants in subsequent generations. Traits such as days to 50% flowering and days to maturity had major contributions to the induced genetic divergence.

This work aimed to evaluate 11 potato families for insect resistance horticultural traits. The families were derived from crosses between introduced insect resistant and adapted genotypes. A randomized complete block design, with three replications was used. The plot consisted of 25 genotypes of a family, summing up to 75 genotypes tested per family. Two susceptible cultivars were included in the experiment as checks. The genotypes were evaluated for insect resistance, tuber yield traits, tuber appearance and tuber skin smoothness. The genetic value for the intensity of insect attack in the leaves and in the tubers was lower(higher resistance) in the 11 families than in the checks. For yield traits, there was no predominant effect among the families regarding the origin of the resistant donor species(Solanum berthaultii and/or S. chacoense). However, there was a large contribution of the C-1485-16-87 recurrent parent in crosses with resistant genotypes for tuber yield and tuber number. In relation to tuber appearance, only the family derived form the C-1485-16-87/ ND140(S. berthaultii) cross did not differ from the checks. had genetic value tuber skin smoothness, it was identified that families derived from S. berthaultii resistant parents showed higher genetic values than the check cultivars. For tuber skin smoothness, the genetic values of the families neither differed significantly from each other nor from the checks.

Functional stay-green is a beneficial trait that may increase grain yield through the sustained photosynthetic competence during monocarpic senescence in cereal crops. The temporal changes of photosynthesis and related characteristics throughout the grain filling period of a stay-green japonica rice "SNU-SG1" was compared in growth chamber conditions with three high-yielding cultivars(HYVs) and their $F_1$ hybrids with SNU-SG1. SNU-SG1 exhibited a typical characteristic of functional stay-green in terms of chlorophyll degradation and photosynthetic competence during grain filling. According to the photosynthesis-light response curve measured at 10 and 35 d after heading for the flag leaf, SNU-SG1 exhibited higher initial light conversion efficiency and thus higher gross photosynthetic rate at light saturation compared to HYVs. Light saturation point was not different among genotypes, ranging from 1000 to 1500 ${\mu}mol$ photon $m^{-2}s^{-1}$. Net photosynthetic rate at light saturation($P_{max}$) of the upper four leaves in SNU-SG1 was much higher and sustained longer throughout grain-filling than HYVs and $F_1$ hybrids. The sustained high photosynthetic competence of SNU-SG1 during grain filling was ascribed to the longer maintenance of high mesophyll conductance that resulted from not only high chlorophyll content and its delayed degradation but also the slow degeneration of photosystem II(PS II) as judged by chlorophyll fluorescence($F_v/F_m$) of flag leaves. $F_1$ hybrids showed slow degeneration of photosystem II similar to the male parent SNU-SG1 while chlorophyll degradation pattern close to female parents, thus exhibiting a little higher $P_{max}$ than female parents. These results suggest that SNU-SG1 has a typical functional stay-green trait that can be utilized for increasing rice yield potential through the improved dry matter production during grain filling.