• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.729-738
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to suggest an improvement plan ultimately to develop practical evaluation methods for national technical qualifications in the field of seeds and horticulture based on the National Competency Standards. Through this, national technical qualifications can be strengthened in terms of professionalism in the seeds and horticulture field. In order to conduct this study, the national technical qualification currently in use was matched to certain competency units and competency unit elements of National Competency Standards. We then visited an industrial site to understand the practical factors related to the technical, facility and equipment aspects of the seeds and horticulture industrial field, after which a practical evaluation exam was developed. Also, for a feasibility study, a pilot test assessment was conducted for students majoring in seeds and horticulture, with a survey also conducted with field experts and an advisory committee consisting of experts in seeds and horticulture. Based on the results, by suggesting an improvement plan for a practical evaluation method leading to better national technical qualifications in the field of seeds and horticulture, it was shown to be possible to improve knowledge, technical, and literacy aspects. This can lead to the training of outstanding technical professionals. Ultimately, the results here are expected to contribute to the improvement of the seeds and horticulture industry.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.745-751
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• 2013

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds have been used in Korea and China for promoting bone formation and protection. This study was designed to examine the Nrf-2 mediated anti-oxidative effects of Korean and Chinese safflower seeds. Water and ethanol extracts of safflower seeds were treated to RAW 264.7 cells. Nrf-2 transcriptional activity was measured by reporter gene assay and western blot analysis. Semi-quantitive RT-PCR analysis was adopted to measure Nrf-2 dependent gene expressions. Water extracts of safflower seeds have strongly induced the activation of Nrf-2 transcription than ethanol extracts. Especially, water extracts of Korean safflower seeds has more strongly increased the expression of nuclear Nrf-2. Water extracts of Korea and China safflower seeds have also increased the expression of Nrf-2-dependent genes such as GCLC, NQO-1 and HO-1 in RAW 264.7 cells. However, all kinds of safflower seeds extracts did not increase intracellular ROS production. These results demonstrate that the antioxidant effects of safflower seeds are not related with ROS production, rather it is mediated by the direct activation of Nrf-2.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2010

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds on the antioxidative defense system and oxidative stress in rats fed a high fat high cholesterol diet. Rats were divided into four experimental groups which were composed of high fat high cholesterol diet group (HF), high fat high cholesterol diet with 0.1% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEA), high fat high cholesterol diet with 0.2% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEB) and high fat high cholesterol diet with 0.5% ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented group (HEC). Supplementation of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds groups (HEA, HEB and HEC) resulted in significantly increased activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Hepatic superoxide radical contents in microsome and mitochondria were significantly reduced in the groups supplemented with red pepper seeds ethanol extracts. Hepatic hydrogen peroxide content in the mitochondria was reduced in ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds supplemented groups. TBARS values in the liver were reduced in red pepper seeds ethanol extracts supplemented groups. Especially, HEB and HEC groups were significantly decreased compared to the HF group. Hepatic carbonyl values were significantly reduced in mitochondria in these supplemented groups. These results suggest that red pepper seeds ethanol extracts may reduce oxidative damage, by activation of antioxidative defense system in rats fed high fat high cholesterol diets.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2016

Background : Acer pictum is a deciduous tree belonging to the family Aceraceae. This study was conducted to collect basic data on mass propagation techniques by surveying the germination and growth characteristics of A. pictum seeds. Methods and Results : A. pictum seeds were harvested in 2014 on August 19, September 5, September 29 and October 31. The seeds were then sown on the same dates they were harvested. A portion of seeds harvested in August 2014 were stored at low temperatures and subsequently sown on March 11, 2015. The germination rate of A. pictum seeds was highest in seeds that were stored harvested on October 31. Mean germination time (MGT) was shortest and germination velocity (Rs) was fastest in seeds harvested on October 31. Root collar diameter, total root length, and dry weight were also highest from seeds collected October 31. Conclusions : A. pictum seeds harvested on October 31 had highest germination and growth rates compared with seeds harvested on earlier dates. It is expected that these results demonstrating optimum harvesting and sowing dates will be applicable to future seedling production for this tree species.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 1997

Seeds of five radish varieties were soaked in water for three hours and cellulose was coated. The seeds were classified as three groups in UV light; non-fluorescent(NF), partly fluorescent(PF), and fully fluorescent(FF) seeds. Germination rate was less in the order of NF>PF>FF seeds. The seed coat structure of NF seeds was dense and showed round shape, while those of PF and FF seeds were wrinkled or ruptured. The cotyledon and hypocotyl of NF seeds were normal, while those of PF and FF seeds were dwarf and showed some scars in the cotyledons.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 1998

An experiment was carried out to find out the priming effects of rice seeds, Oryza sativa L. (cv. Ilpumbyeo) on. the seedling establishment and early emergence under excess soil moisture conditions. Seeds were primed by soaking in -0.6 MPa polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution at $25^{\circ}C$ for 4 days. The primed seeds were sown in soils with various soil moistures (60, 80, 100, 120, and 140% field capacity) at 17 and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. Germination and emergence rates, plumule height, and radicle length of primed seeds were higher than those of untreated seeds at any soil moisture and temperature examined. The time from planting to 50% germination ($T_{50}$) of primed seeds was less than that of untreated seeds by 0.9～3.7 days. Germination rate, emergence rate, plumule height, and radicle length were highest at the soil moisture of 80% field capacity among the soil moistures. Priming effects of rice seeds on germination and emergence rates were more prominent under the unfavorable soil moistures (60, 100, 120, and 140% field capacity) than those under the optimum soil moisture condition (80% field capacity). However, priming effects on seedling growth were greater at near optimum soil moisture compared with too lower or higher soil moistures. Therefore, these findings suggest that priming of rice seeds may be a useful way for better seedling establishment under the adverse soil conditions.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.711-718
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• 2011

Effects of heating conditions and seed roasting on the lipid oxidation and antioxidants of perilla seeds were studied. Perilla seeds, that were unroasted or roasted at $180^{\circ}C$ for 20 min, were ground and heated over steam at $100^{\circ}C/1$ atm or at $135^{\circ}C/2$ atm. Lipid oxidation was evaluated by peroxide value, conjugated dienoic acids contents, and fatty acid composition. Tocopherols and polyphenols were also determined. Lipid oxidation of perilla seeds was higher during heating at $135^{\circ}C/2$ atm than at $100^{\circ}C/1$ atm, and the oxidation rate was lower in unroasted seeds than in roasted seeds. Degradation of tocopherols and polyphenols in perilla seeds during heating was faster under high pressure and temperature, and was decreased by seed roasting. Contribution of polyphenols to the oxidative stability of perilla seeds during heating was higher than that of tocopherols, suggesting polyphenols and seed roasting as important factors in lipid oxidation of perilla seeds.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.635-644
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• 2016

Birds play a main role in the formation and change of forest structures as they are seed-dispersal agents. This study aims to identify birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree and their associated fruits and seeds on Jeju Island in the context on the forest restoration in Korea. We conducted field surveys twice a month from 2013 to 2015 at nine study sites located across Jeju Island and collected available photographic and observation records. A total of 50 species of birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree were identified and birds belonging to Bombycillidae, Pycnonotidae, Zosteropidae, Sturnidae and Fringillidae were confirmed as major birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree. Gulping was the dominant type of feeding as well as crushing, but relationship between the size of a bird and the number of fruit and seed species used by the bird was not significant. We also documented that 118 fruit and seed species were consumed by birds and that shrubby fruits and seeds were more consumed by birds than those of other plant types. The relative consumption rate of fruits and seeds ranged from 0.02 to 0.44, but five species were the most important fruits and seeds for birds. Our finding suggest that avian frugivorous gulpers will benefit the seed dispersal, especially of five fruiting plants, providing useful baseline data for forest restoration and urban park design.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.543-549
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• 2021

Approximately 10% of all angiosperms belong to the Asteraceae family. Plant species belonging to this family have traditionally been used as medicinal plants in the Korean Peninsula. We investigated the antioxidant activity of seed extracts from 14 species belonging to the Asteraceae family. Seeds with ≥ 90% percentage of filled seed and ≥ 50% final germination were used. The total phenolic content was the highest in Dendranthema zawadskii var. tenuisectum (13.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/g seeds), followed by Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (11.8 mg of GAEs/g seeds), and Callistephus chinensis (11.0 mg of GAEs/g seeds). The total flavonoid content was highest in C. chinensis (9.8 mg of quercetin equivalents (QEs)/g seeds), followed by D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (7.2 mg of QEs/g seeds) and Taraxacum officinale (6.3 mg of QEs/g seeds). Our results showed that 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity was highest in D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (57.4 ㎍/ml), followed by T. officinale (59.1 ㎍/ml) and D. zawadskii var. latilobum (65.0 ㎍/ml), with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of DPPH scavenging activity. Furthermore, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was highest in C. chinensis (26.2 ㎍/ml), followed by D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum (38.4 ㎍/ml), T. officinale (40.2 ㎍/ml), with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of ABTS scavenging activity. Based on a cluster analysis according to the antioxidant activity, the 14 species were classified into five groups, with group 4 having the highest antioxidant activity and group 0 having the lowest antioxidant activity. D. zawadskii var. latilobum, D. zawadskii var. tenuisectum, T. officinale, and C. chinensis belonging to groups 3 and 4, exhibited high phenolic content and antioxidant activity and can be considered potent plant-derived natural antioxidants.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.5-18
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• 2018

The field trial was performed to evaluate the rice growth and yield in direct seeding cultivation with iron-coated rice seeds. The required time for seed emergence was for 9~11days in the tested direct seeding methods. That was 1~2days earlier in direct seeding with pregerminated seeds than that of direct seeding with iron-coated seeds. The seedling establishment was highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds but there was not significant difference in terms of statistical analysis. The rice plant height was taller in water seeding with broadcasting method than that of wet hill-seeding methods and in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds than that of direct seeding with pregerminated seeds. The tiller number in the rice plant was the highest in machine transplanting at 30days after direct seeding(June 17) and in water seeding with iron-coated seeds at 45days after seeding(DAS) and 60DAS. The tiller number of 75 and 90DAS in the tested rice cultivation methods being with 352~405/m² was not significantly different in terms of statistical analysis. The heading time was not different in rice direct seeding methods but 2 day earlier in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds than that of direct seeding with pregerminated seeds. The culm length was the highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds and the panicle length was the longest in wet hill-seeding with pregerminated seeds. The panicle number per m² was highest in water seeding with iron-coated seeds but not significant difference among the tested rice cultivation methods. The water seeding with iron-coated seeds resulted in the highest spikelet number per m² and the heaviest grain weight of brown rice. Percentage of ripened kernel was the highest in wet hill-seeding with iron-coated seeds. But there were not significant among the tested rice cultivation methods. The milled rice yield in direct seeding methods was 3~21% higher than that in machine transplanting. Water seeding with iron-coated seeds recorded the highest milled rice yield being with 6.86t/ha.The occurrence of sheath blight was high according to machine transplanting>wet hill-seeding>water seeding. Weed occurrence was the highest in water seeding with pregerminated seeds. Weedy rice occurred not in machine transplanting but occured 0.6~0.7% in direct seeding methods with pregerminated seeds and 0.1% in direct seeding with iron-coated seeds.