Breeding 'Jeju-type Garlic New Variety' to Address Climate Change

Development of a new "Jeju-type garlic variety" in response to climate change is being promoted. The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Technology Institute (Director Ko Sang-hwan) announced that it has begun in earnest the development of a new garlic variety that is highly adaptable to climate change and suitable for changing market demands. According to the Institute, the average winter temperature in Jeju in 2024 was higher than usual, and frequent rainfall and low sunlight led to "secondary growth" damage in 47% of Jeju's garlic cultivation areas, resulting in a sharp decline in production and being recognized as an agricultural disaster. The Institute is responding to the decrease in quantity and quality due to climate change and developing varieties that reflect consumer trends favoring less spicy garlic. The Institute is developing new varieties with high adaptability to the Jeju region based on the genetic resources it has collected and preserved, using ...