• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.413-422
• /
• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.971-976
• /
• 2009

The consumption of raw sprouts has increased in popularity worldwide because the food is natural and healthy. However, in Korea, nothing is known on the safety standards of sprout producers or changes in the microbial populations of sprouts during sprouting. We evaluated the microbial safety and quality of sprouts during each step in the sprouting process. Bacteriological analysis showed that seeds had a Total Plate Count (TPC) ranging from 3.04 - 5.21 log CFU/g and coliform counts ranging from 1.80 - 3.86 log CFU/g. TPC and coliform counts increased rapidly during the sprouting process to attain values of 6.99 - 8.26 and 3.70 - 7.15 log CFU/g, respectively, regardless of decontamination of seeds with commercial sanitizer. TPC and coliform counts were on high level after sprouts were washed. Escherichia coli was detected in samples of domestic radish sprouts at all stages from seed to storage, rape sprouts in the stages from soaked seed to storage, and red radish sprouts during sprouting, and no sanitizer was used in any of these processes. Untreated red radish sprouts were also positive for Bacillus cereus at all processing steps and Listeria monocytogenes after germination. However, pathogens were not detected at any sprouting stage of seeds treated with sanitizer. It is necessary to carefully control commercial sprouting, and to develop HACCP guidelines applicable to all sprouting processes, commencing at the first step in raw seed production.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.333-336
• /
• 2008

During the excavation to find ancient rice seeds from the peat layer (12,500-14,800 bp based on 14 dating samples) of Soro-ri, Cheongwon-gun near Cheongju city, we found not only old rice seeds, but also other organic materials including insect fossil skeletons. Although no complete specimen was found in this study, some body parts were diagnotic enough for identifying species. Among the identified insect fossils, two species were successfully identified based on their characteristic forewing morphologies, e.g., cross-ridges on forewing. The two identified species, Plateumaris sericea and Donacia flemola or near, belong to Donaciinae in Chrysomelidae, and their larvae are known to feed on the root of wetland plants, mainly in Poaceae or Cyperaceae. Such finding proved that a wetland environment was maintained in Soro-ri at that time, and was suitable for such insects to survive. Therefore, evidence from the fossilized rice seeds, together with these insect fossils, clearly proved that the environment at that time was suitable for rice, a common Poaceae species, growing.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.65 no.2
• /
• pp.156-160
• /
• 2020

Emergence and early growth changes of stratification condition of tea (Camellia sinensis) seeds were investigated in 7 treatments (control, pH 4, pH 10, 70% ethanol (EtOH), 10 mM H₂O₂, 100 mM H₂O₂, and physical shock (5.9 J)). Ethanol treatment was toxic and did not induce emergence. The emergence rate was 36.7% in the control, 26.7% under pH 10, 46.7% under pH 4, 48.3% under physical shock, 51.7% under 10 mM H₂O₂, and 65.0% under 100 mM H₂O₂ treatments. It was higher by approximately 178% in the H₂O₂ treatment as compared to the control. Plant height was 6.5 cm in the control, 6.6 cm under pH 10, 7.6 cm under pH 4, 7.8 cm under physical shock, 8.3 cm under 10 mM H₂O₂, and 9.1 cm under 100 mM H₂O₂ treatments. Leaf length and leaf width were also higher under the H₂O₂ treatment. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide treatment induced emergence and increased the uniformity of early growth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.7
• /
• pp.919-927
• /
• 2011

Avocado (Persea americana Mill., Family Lauraceae) is an important subtropical crop in the Americas where it has been cultivated for several thousand years. To investigate the bioactivities of avocado, which acts on bone formation, we prepared methanol extracts from the sarcocarp, peels, and seeds of avocado. The methanol extracts of peels and seeds showed higher bone-forming activity than avocado sarcocarp extracts accompanied by MC3T3-E1 osteoblast proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Additionally, the extracts of sarcocarp and peel from avocado also decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity against differentiation of osteoclasts, derived from mouse bone marrow macrophages. The hexane fraction from avocado peels showed strong bone-forming activity accompanied by osteoblast proliferation and ALP activity (170.7${\pm}$8.4%), and the ethyl acetate fraction from avocado peel decreased TRAP activity (5.2${\pm}$0.3%) and differentiated osteoclasts at 50 ${\mu}g$/mL. Therefore, avocado is expected to be a natural source for developing medicinal agents to prevent bone-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, by increasing osteoblast differentiation and reducing osteoclast activity.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2008

Anatomical features of seed coat were examined on Trollius, Calathodes, and Caltha of Ranunculaceae to evaluate the taxonomic circumscription of Megaleranthis saniculifolia, which is monotypic and endemic in Korea. Megaleranthis saniculifolia showed the exotestal type of seed coat exhibiting a well-developed palisade structure in exotesta and its external surface of exotesta cells was concave. On the other hand, the shape of exotesta cells in Caltha was cuboidal and the outer surface was smooth. The exotesta of Calathodes seeds was formed of the palisade structure like M. saniculifolia, but the outer surface of exotesta cells was smooth. The palisade structure was much better developed in the exotesta of Calathodes as well as Megaleranthis seeds than in the exotesta of Trollius seeds. The outer surface of exotesta cells in Trollius was either convex or concave according to the species examined. Since the genera of the subtribe Calthinae of the family display differences in seed sculpturing and the anaotmy of seed coat, these characteristics are useful to access taxonomic relationships among them. The morphological and anatomical features of seed coat suggest that Megaleranthis be possibly allied with Trollius rather than Caltha or Calathodes. Concave surface of seed coat cells and well-developed palisade structure of exotesta are shared by M. saniculifolia and some species of Trollius in common.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.64-70
• /
• 2013

To examine the proportion of secondary seed dispersion by wildlife and to identify the related wildlife, We measured seed removal rates and related wildlife at the natural mixed broadleaved forest in mountain Jungwang, Pyeungchang-gun in middle part of Korean peninsula, seed-tray contained four kind of tree seeds were setted from mid-september to late-October for three years. Mean seed removal rates(MSRR) of acorn(Q. mongolica)is shown the highest values 87.2%, next MSRR of samara(A. pseudosieboldianum) does 33.1%, MSRR of samara(A. pictum subsp. mono) does 29.2%. and then SRR of samara(A. mandshuricum) does only 13.6%. Acorns are removed more faster than samaras. Among the related wildlife, Siberian chipmunks most freqently visit seed tray, and ordered Korean squirrel, Wild boar, and Yellow-throated marten. Most secondary dispersed acorns might be consumed by Wild boar, and small portions does comsumed or scatter-hoarded by rodents. Most secondary dispersed samaras might be consumed by rodents, and small portions does scatter-hoarded by rodents. A few sound seeds are remained on the forest floor in late October owing to the seed consunption and seed hoarding by wildlife. We observe seedling establishment of four broadleaved tree species. From these results, We proved Wild boar is seed comsummer, and rodents are seed consummer and seed disperser. Further studies on secondary seed dispersion, seed consumption and hoarding and related wildlife should be needed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.766-777
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate inheritance modes of low temperature germinability(LTG) on rice. Two experiments were carried out: In experiment I, the seeds of 10 rice varieties yielded at the different cultivation conditions which were transplanted in a paddy field from May 20 to July 5 with 15-day interval, were tested at fixed temperature (13$^{\circ}C$) in-door and at field with natural conditions to find out the change of LTG according to different cultivating condition among the each variety, In experiment II, F$_1$ seeds of full diallal cross from six parents, were analyzed for combining ability and reciprocal differences of low temperature germinability. The results are summarized as follows. The seeds of 10 varieties showed significant differences of LTG at the different cultivation conditions, varieties and their interaction. And the relationship between LTG coefficient at 13$^{\circ}C$ and low temperature emergence(LTE) coefficient at field was highly significantly positive(r=0.511). From the analysis of the diallel cross, high significance was found at reciprocal difference and alpha inheritance. The mean squares of general combining ability(GCA) and specific combining ability of LTG were highly significant with higher mean squares of GCA. Seventeen out of 30 cross combinations showed transgressive segregation.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to examine characteristics of rhizome growth and flowering of white lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) plant in Muan Hoesan-lake for collecting the basic data on the cultivation and the flowering which is growing in Muan Hoesan-lake of Jeonnam province in Korea. We have planted from the seeds and the enlarged rhizomes of the white lotus which were planted in the plastic containers on April 20 and May 4, 2008, and cultivated under rain shelter condition. Rhizome growth pattern and the flowering characteristics of the white lotus were examined on September 4, 2008. Main rhizomes of the white lotus propagated by the seeds and the enlarged rhizomes were branched by 10% and 15%, respectively. Numbers of nodes in the bloomed and non-bloomed rhizomes of the white lotus were over 14 and below 11, respectively. Flower was not observed in the white lotus when propagated with seeds, however, flowers came out up to 80% by the enlarged rhizomes. First flowers were bloomed from the late July and to the early August, and the number of flowers were 4.0~4.4. The first flower stalks without branching of the main rhizome were emerged in 8.8th node, however, that with branching were 8.0th node. Time to flowering from the emergence of flower stalk on the above-ground parts were required 16 days. White flowers from the lotus were 15.3 cm in height and 28.2 cm in width, their longevity was 3.3 days and the averaged flower fresh weight was 29.2 g. The results conclude that optimum number of nodes on the main rhizomes for blooming the white lotus flowers should be over 8 nodes before the rhizome enlargement.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.365-371
• /
• 2021

In order to verify the effect of using functional cosmetic ingredients for skin beauty, the composition and content of some phenolic acid and flavonoids in the hot water and 80% methanol extract of Akebia quinata fruit pericarp and seeds were analyzed, and the skin care antioxidant activity was investigated. The results are as follows. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were found to be higher in pericarp extract than seed extract in both hot water and 80% methanol extract. In the analysis of the composition and content of phenolic acid and flavonoids, two kinds of phenolic acids were identified in the hot water extract of pericarp, 6 kinds of phenolic acids were identified in the 80% methanol extract, and one kind of flavonoid. Two types of phenolic acids were identified in the hot water and 80% methanol extract of seeds, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities tended to increase in proportion to the treatment concentration in both hot water and 80% methanol extracts, and antioxidant activity was found to be high. Therefore, from the above results, it was found that the hot water and 80% methanol extract of Akebia quinata fruit pericarp and seeds contained various kinds of phenolic acid and flavonoids, and the antioxidant activity was also high. It is believed to be of value as a natural antioxidant in skin care cosmetic ingredients.