Dorothy Cayley

Dorothy Mary Cayley
Born 1874
Sri Lanka
Died 1955
Nationality British
Occupation Mycologist
Known for discovered Tulip breaking virus

Dorothy Mary Cayley (1874-1955) was a mycologist who discovered in 1927 that "Tulip breaking" is due to a virus.

Life

A tulip with the streaks caused by the virus

Cayley came to England when she was seven and attended Stamford High School. She had been born in Ceylon where her father, Sir Richard Cayley, was the 14th Chief Justice. She went to London University before studying horticulture at University College, Reading.[1]

She was a founding member of the Genetical Society in 1919 and introduced the study of the genetics of fungi into the United Kingdom. She found that the pretty phenomena of "Tulip Breaking" was due to a virus that was probably spread she aphids. This unusual colour variation did not result from genetics. Tulip enthusiasts who wanted "true colours" were pleased as they found the changes annoying. Cayley not only found the cause but also suggested a cure.[2] She published her findings in 1928.[3] More mundanely Cayley was interested in slime moulds and she created a better understanding on the sexual reproduction in moulds.[1]

She was deputy director at the John Innes Horticultural Institution.[1][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dorothy Cayley, JIC, Retrieved 28 May 2016
  2. ↑ JIC timeline, JIC, retrieved 28 May 2016
  3. ↑ Annals of Applied Biology in November 1928
  4. ↑ A Banker's Family - Descendants of Edward Cayley of Stamford (1782-1868). Cayley Family History. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
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