Changes in Major Rice Cultivars in Korea Since 2000: Past Achievements, Current Status and Future Prospects

This review examines major rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars in Korea from the 2000 to 2024, focusing on breeding trends, yield, and cultivation area. Since the 2000s, breeding priorities shifted from yield maximization to grain quality and disease resistance. Cultivars released between 2000 and 2010, such as Haedam rice, Saeilmi, and Ilpum, had medium- to medium-late maturity, plant heights of 75–82 cm, short to medium culms, and strong resistance to rice blast and bacterial leaf blight. Average grain yields ranged from 548 to 567 kg per 10 a, and amylose content varied from 19.6% to 23.5%, supporting high eating quality. Cultivars from 2010 to 2024, including Alchanmi, Jingwang, and Saecheongmu, showed balanced yield components, plant heights of 67–82 cm, and milling yields of 5.38–5.91 t ha⁻¹. During this period, national rice production declined by ~30%, from 5.38 million tons in 2005 to 3.80 million tons in 2024, and cultivation area fell from 1.05 million ha in 2000 to 0.72 million ha in 2020. Dual-track breeding strategies are recommended: (1) stable dissemination of high-quality, disease-resistant cultivars and (2) development of differentiated cultivars for processed foods and niche markets, including long-grain, aromatic, and pigmented rice. These strategies aim to improve grain quality, yield, and milling efficiency while supporting sustainable rice production and food security.