K. YAMASHITA
Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Proposed Project
According to the cytological and genetical and studies of Dr. H. Kihara, the former Professor of Genetice, University of Kyoto, Japan, it is kuown that the genealogical relationship of wheat and its relatives is as follows:
DD-species has already been found to be Aegilops squarrosa, a wild growing species from Pakistan to Iran through Afghanistan, and it is thought that our common wheat, AABBDD, occurred by the hybridization between Emmer wheat and Aegilops squarrosa in those regions.
Similarly, it is presumed that Emmer wheat was originated by the crossing between Einkorn wheat, an existing diploid wheat species, and a certain unknown species with BB constitution. By recent studies, however, we came to the conclusion that BB- species can be the species of the Section Sitopsis of the genus Aegilops. It is known that the species occurs in the region arotind the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Besides, many other species of Aegilops are also distributed there.
In this connection, K. Yamashita, and his colleagues are especially interested in the botanical exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. They are also interested in other wild growing plant species as well as cultivated plants.
With a Rockefeller research fund for this program, the Botanical Mission of the University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan, will be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean Region from the middle of April to the beginning of July, 1959.
Members
Dr. Kosuke Yamashita, Professor of Biology (Leader), Kyoto University
Mr. Masatake Tanaka, Assistant Professor of Genetics, Kyoto University
Mr. Osamu Suzuka, Lecturer of Cytogenetics, Kyoto University
Mr. Seiji Nakamura, A cameraman of the Nichiei Co. Ltd., Tokyo