長野県及び愛知県北部におけるゴマ (Sesamum indicum) 及びエゴマ (Perilla frutescens) 在来種の探索収集

Exploration for collecting local varieties of Sesamum indicum and Perilla frutescens were conducted in Eastern and Northern regions of Nagano Prefecture on November 26 to 27 and in Southern regions of Nagano Prefecture and Northern region of Aichi Prefecture on December 11 to 13 in 2001. We mainly collected two plants. A total of 37 seed samples was collected. These samples consisted of 7 of Sesamum indicum, 21 of Perilla frutescens, 2 of Panicum miliaceum, 2 of Sorghum bicolor, 2 of Setaria italica, 1 of Eleusine coracana, 1 of Echinochloa esculenta and 1 of Amaranthus species. Local varieties of Sesamum indicum which were collected varied in seed color (black, light brown or white), and seed color of all varieties of Perilla frutescens were light gray. The number of farmers who cultivating Sesamum indicum or Perilla frutescens decreased because of an advanced age or loss of valuable seed. However, some farmers have promoted the cultivation of Perilla frutescens for processing special products, because Perilla frutescens have been used for traditional foods and it is recognized that the ingredients in Perilla frutescens are effective for keeping health