A. Report of the Coordinating Committee of

the Rice Genetics Cooperative

A meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Rice Genetics Cooperative was held on August 11 in Beijing, China on the occasion of 18th International Congress of Genetics. Present were T. Kinoshita, G.S. Khush, Ray Wu, Y. Sano and Qifa Zhang. Dr. Kinoshita reported that Dr. H. Morishima who has succeeded Dr. H.I. Oka as editor of Rice Genetics Newsletter has retired from National Institute of Genetics and wishes to be relieved of the editorial responsibilities. Dr. Kinoshita proposed Dr. Y. Sano to be the new editor of RGN. The proposal was accepted unanimously.

A proposal for preparing a book on mutants of rice similar to the “Mutants of Maize” has been under consideration for some time. Need for such a book has become more urgent in view of the emerging field of “functional genomics” of rice. The members requested that Drs. T. Kinoshita, G.S. Khush and Susan McCouch should take leadership in preparing the volume in cooperation with other colleagues. Arrangements for publishing the book are being explored.

Arrangements for the 4th International Rice Genetics Symposium were discussed. It was agreed to hold the symposium in Philippines in 2000. On the basis of consultation with rice geneticists it has been decided to hold the symposium on 22-27 October 2000. Dr. Khush informed the group about the sad demise of Dr. Senadhira who had served as treasurer of RGC since its inception. Dr. D. S. Brar was appointed as the new treasurer.

Chairman