A lot of SSRs (simple sequence repeats) in peach and pear from enriched genomic libraries and in peach from a cDNA library were developed. These SSRs were applied to other related species, giving phenograms of 52 Prunes and 60 pear accessions. Apple SSRs could also be successfully used in Pyrus spp. Thirteen morphological traits were characterized on the basis of the linkage map obtained from an $F_2$ population of peach. This map was compiled with those morphological markers and 83 DNA markers, including SSR markers used as anchor loci, to compare different peach maps. Molecular markers tightly linked to new root-knot nematode resistance genes were also found. A linkage map including disease related genes, pear scab resistance and black spot susceptibility, in the Japanese pear Kinchaku were constructed using 118 RAPD markers. Another linkage map, of the European pear Bartlett, was also constructed with 226 markers, including 49 SSRs from pear, apple, peach and cherry. Maps of other Japanese pear cultivars, i.e., Kousui and Housui, were also constructed. These maps were the first results of pear species.

Adverse environmental conditions such as drought, high salt and cold/freezing are major factors that reduces crop productivity worldwide. According to a survey, 50-80% of the maximum potential yield is lost by these "environmental or abiotic stresses", which is approximately ten times higher than the loss by biotic stresses. Thus, improving stress-tolerance of crop plants is an important way to improve agricultural productivity, In order to develop such stress-tolerant crop plants, we set out to identify key stress signaling components that can be used to develop commercially viable crop varieties with enhanced stress tolerance. Our primary focus so far has been on the identification of transcription factors that regulate stress responsive gene expression, especially those involved in ABA-mediated stress response. Be sessile, plants have the unique capability to adapt themselves to the abiotic stresses. This adaptive capability is largely dependent on the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA), whose level increases under various stress conditions, triggering adaptive response. Central to the response is ABA-regulated gene expression, which ultimately leads to physiological changes at the whole plant level. Thus, once identified, it would be possible to enhance stress tolerance of crop plants by manipulating the expression of the factors that mediate ABA-dependent stress response. Here, we present our work on the isolation and functional characterization of the transcription factors.n factors.

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) catalyzes the key regulatory step in starch biosynthesis. Two cDNA clones encoding AGPase subunits were isolated from the leaf cDNA library of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. spp. pekinensis). One was designated as BCAGPS for the small subunit and the other as BCAGPL for the large subunit. Both cDNAs have uninterrupted open reading frames deriving 57 kDa and 63 kDa polypeptides for BCAGPS and BCAGPL, respectively, which showed significant similarity to those of other dicot plants. Also, However, the deduced amino acid sequence of BCAGPL has a unique feature. That is, it contains two regions (Rl and R2) lacking in all other plant enzymes. This is the first report of BCAGPL containing Rl and R2 among plant large subunits as well as small subunits. From the genomic Southern analysis and BAC library screening, we inferred the genomic status of BCAGPS and BCAGPL gene.

The RAPD data were used to assess genetic similarity among f grape cultivars. Of the 100 random primers tested on genomic DNA, 10 primers could be selected for Benetic analysis, and the selected primers generated a total of 115 distinct amplification fragments. A similarity matrix was constructed on the basis of the presence or absence of bands. The 7 grape cultivars analyzed with UPGMA were clustered into two groups of A and B. The similarity coefficient value of cultivars was high. The mean similarity index for all pairwise comparisons was 0.851, and ranged from 0.714 ('Rosaki' and 'Black Olympia') to 0.988 ('Kyoho' and 'Daebong'). After due consideration of differences in cultural and morphological characteristics of these two theoretically identical cultivars, it could be deduced that 'Daebong' is a bud sport of 'Kyoho' cultivar.

In order to achieve repetitive somatic embryogenesis in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), callus derived from floral tissues were continuously cultured in a medium containing 2,4-D. In 5% of the explants, repetitive somatic embryogenesis was observed after 8 weeks and maintained in a globular stage for several weeks. This is the first report showing repetitive somatic embryogenesis in cacao. The calli were bombarded with a plasmid containing $\beta$-glucuronidase (gus) as reporter gene. Two week old calli showed the high average number of cells expressing the us gene. The effect of osmotic agents (mannitol, sorbitol and sucrose) on gene expression was evaluated. Pre-treatment during 16 h with 0.25 M mannitol revealed an improvement in gene expression. The potential utilization of the repetitive embryogenesis, combined with osmotic treatment, is discussed as an alternative to achieve stable transgenic cacao plants.

To elucidate the effect of sucrose on cell growth and anthocyanin production, 1, 3, 5, and 7% sucrose were applied to liquid MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA + 0.1 and 1 mg/L 2,4-D. Higher sucrose concentration decreased the cell growth regardless of the hormonal composition. Cain in fresh weight was gradual, showing the peak at day 12 in culture, and then decreased. Anthocyanin content increased with sucrose concentration in the medium, and practically there was no difference in anthocyanin content between the two media differing in 2,4-D content. Sucrose concentration for appropriate anthocyanin production was 7%, while 5% was more suitable for increase in total anthocyanin content. At higher sucrose levels, anthocyanin content was high due to the cessation of the cell growth. Medium pH decreased at the early stage and gradually increased thereafter.

To establish in vitro mass production system of grape anthocyanin pigments through callus and cell suspension culture, the effects of nitrogen amount and the ratio of $NO_3^-$/$NH_4^+$ in the medium on cell growth and anthocyanin production were investigated. Total nitrogen amount and the ratio of $NO_3^-$/$NH_4^+$ in the medium strongly affected anthocyanin production and cell growth. When $NH_4^+$ was fixed, the cell growth was promoted by 50 mM total nitrogen (20 mM $NO_3^-$ : 30 mM $NH_4^+$ ) than other nitrogen combinations, and was strongly inhibited when $NO_3^-$ was lacking (0 mM $NO_3^-$ : 60 mM $NH_4^+$ ) while anthocyanin production was increased. When $NO_3^-$ was fixed, the cell growth was promoted by 70 mM total nitrogen (40 mM $NO_3^-$ : 30 mM $NH_4^+$) than other nitrogen combinations, and was strongly inhibited when $NO_3^-$ was lacking (0 mM $NO_3^-$ : 60 mM $NH_4^+$ ) while anthocyanin production was increased. Cell growth was gradually increased by all nitrogen combinations, but anthocyanin production reached its peak on day 4 in culture. Anthocyanin content increased with decreasing cell density. Sucrose was rapidly hydrolyzed to fructose and glucose within 4 days. Glucose and fructose concentrations in the medium increased and peaked at the 4th day. The anthocyanin content of $NH_4^+$-free 2% sucrose media was 2 times (200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g) higher than that of 1% sucrose. When $NO_3^-$ was lacking, the highest anthocyanin production was observed at 4% sucrose after 12 days of culture, and increased along with the sucrose concentration.