Abstract
We found one line of Perilla herb with good smell, as a local genetic resource that may have been cultivated in the Kinokawa plain since ancient times. In this study, firstly, we revealed the morphological and aromatic characteristic of this line by comparison with that of four varieties of Perilla frutescens. Since the leaves of this plant were dark purplish-red color on both surfaces without crepe-like undulations, and this plant contained a notable amount of perillaldehyde and limonene, it was suggested that this line of perilla was one of the varieties belonging to the medicinal red perilla, P. frutescens var. crispa f. purpurea. Secondly, to grow up this resource as a local special product, we have begun to develop the cultivation method for year round production and open up new uses. Supplemental lighting by blue LEDs to the perilla plants which were grown under the natural daylight dreadfully inhibited the flower formation, and allowed the continuous differentiation of young leaves wealthy in perillaldehyde. This cultivation method is useful to inhibit flower formation during short-day period and to improve the functional component content in this perilla herb.
