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2026 Vol.71, Issue 2 Preview Page

Original Research Article

Analysis of Suitable and Marginal Areas for Domestic Wheat Cultivation Using Seed Supply and Farm Survey Data
Hyun Hwa Park1
,
Pyae Pyae Win2
,
Hoon Hwangbo3
,
Yong In Kuk4*
1Ph. D Researcher, Dep. of Bio-Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
2Ph. D Student, Dep. of Bio-Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
3Extension Specialist, Crop seed Production & Distribution Div., Korea Seed & Variety Service, Gimcheon 39660, Korea
4Professor, Dep. of Bio-Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Korea
*Corresponding Author
1 June 2026. pp. 58-66
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Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the spatial distribution, varietal composition, and suitable cultivation areas of domestic wheat using certified seed supply and farm survey data. Using seed supply data from 2023 and 2024, we analyzed the distribution of cultivation areas, cultivation boundaries, and varietal characteristics. In addition, the farm surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025 evaluated the cultivation status, sowing periods, and yield characteristics. Analysis of the seed supply data revealed that wheat cultivation has expanded to most cities and counties nationwide, with seeds supplied to 120 cities/counties (325 farms) in 2023 and to 117 cities/counties (263 farms) in 2024. In particular, cultivation areas expanded to the northern part of Gangwon Province in 2024, indicating an extended cultivation potential. Although the Jeonnam and Jeonbuk regions remained the main production centers, as intermediate levels of seed supply spread to other regions, the spatial diversity of the cultivation areas increased. By variety, ‘Saekumkang’ accounted for the highest proportion nationwide, while ‘Baekgang’ and ‘Kumkang’ exhibited region-specific distributions. According to farm surveys, in 2024, the ‘Saekumkang’ variety accounted for more than 50 % of the total cultivation and remained the dominant variety in 2025. However, the cultivation shares of certain other varieties increased, leading to a slight expansion of varietal diversity. Sowing periods differed among the regions, with earlier sowing in colder (G1) and relatively later sowing in warmer (G2 and G3) regions. The yields in the G2 and G3 regions were higher, whereas the G1 region exhibited lower and more variable yields. Based on spatial analysis, we categorized these cultivation areas into marginal (G1), conditional (G2), and suitable (G3) areas. Due to low winter temperatures and frequent winter injuries, we recognized the northern area as marginal, while we determined the southern area as the most appropriate for stable production. We analyzed the transitional zones (G2) as regions with unstable production depending on the climatic conditions of the year, potentially becoming suitable cultivation areas under future climate change conditions. In summary, appropriate regions for wheat cultivation in Korea increase from north to south with rising temperature conditions. These results could provide basic data to establish region-based cultivation strategies and respond to climate change.

Keywords
certified seed supply
climate change
cultivation suitability
varietal distribution
wheat
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Crop Science
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국작물학회
  • Journal Title :The Korean Journal of Crop Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국작물학회지
  • Volume : 71
  • No :2
  • Pages :58-66
  • Received Date : 2026-04-20
  • Revised Date : 2026-05-19
  • Accepted Date : 2026-05-20
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7740/kjcs.2026.71.2.058
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