ANTHOCYANIC LEVELS IN PISUM FLOWERS

PNL Volume 13 1981

RESEARCH REPORTS

Crowden, R. K. Botany Department, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

The effects of the genes A, Am, Ar, Ce, and Cr on flower color in

Pisum are well-known, at least in qualitative terms (1). During the course

of our studies on anthocyanin biosynthesis, we found it necessary to make

quantitive determinations of pigment production in the different genotypes.

The quantitative data presented in Table I were compiled from a study of

Pisum lines available at the University of Tasmania (collection of Dr. I.

C. Murfet, plus many Weibullsholm lines). All plants used in the study were

grown under glasshouse conditions.

Anthocyanin concentration was determined by reflectance and absorption

spectroscopy of individual flower petals or their extract (in acidified methyl

alcohol), using a Unicam SP8-100 spectrophotometer, with an integrating sphere

diffuse reflectance accessory. The data provided in the table are the mean

values obtained for anthocyanin concentration in each genotype expressed as

a percentage of wild type.

Attention is drawn to the following points in Table I:

1) In am, ar, and ce lines, the pigment content of the standard petals

is consistently about 1/5 - 1/6 the concentration found in the wing petal,

as is the case with wild type flowers; cr lines, however, produce relatively

more pigment in the standard. s/w = 1/3.

2) As well as producing a qualitative effect (cyanidin in place of

delphinidin-type anthocyanin [2]), b causes a marked reduction in the total

amount of anthocyanin produced, particularly in the standard petal. This

quantitive effect is manifest also when other color genes are recessive.

3) Anthocyanin production is negligible in ce cr lines grown under

glasshouse conditions.

1. Blixt, S. 1962. Agri Hort. Genet. 20:95-110.

2. Statham, C. M., R. K. Crowden and J. B. Harborne. 1971. Phytochem.

11:1083.

3. Statham, C. M. 1974. PhD Thesis, University of Tasmania.



PNL Volume 13 1981	RESEARCH REPORTS	3

ANTHOCYANIC LEVELS IN PISUM FLOWERS Crowden, R. K. Botany Department, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia The effects of the genes A, Am, Ar, Ce, and Cr on flower color in Pisum are well-known, at least in qualitative terms (1). During the course of our studies on anthocyanin biosynthesis, we found it necessary to make quantitive determinations of pigment production in the different genotypes. The quantitative data presented in Table I were compiled from a study of Pisum lines available at the University of Tasmania (collection of Dr. I. C. Murfet, plus many Weibullsholm lines). All plants used in the study were grown under glasshouse conditions. Anthocyanin concentration was determined by reflectance and absorption spectroscopy of individual flower petals or their extract (in acidified methyl alcohol), using a Unicam SP8-100 spectrophotometer, with an integrating sphere diffuse reflectance accessory. The data provided in the table are the mean values obtained for anthocyanin concentration in each genotype expressed as a percentage of wild type. Attention is drawn to the following points in Table I: 1) In am, ar, and ce lines, the pigment content of the standard petals is consistently about 1/5 - 1/6 the concentration found in the wing petal, as is the case with wild type flowers; cr lines, however, produce relatively more pigment in the standard. s/w = 1/3. 2) As well as producing a qualitative effect (cyanidin in place of delphinidin-type anthocyanin [2]), b causes a marked reduction in the total amount of anthocyanin produced, particularly in the standard petal. This quantitive effect is manifest also when other color genes are recessive. 3) Anthocyanin production is negligible in ce cr lines grown under glasshouse conditions. 1. Blixt, S. 1962. Agri Hort. Genet. 20:95-110. 2. Statham, C. M., R. K. Crowden and J. B. Harborne. 1971. Phytochem. 11:1083. 3. Statham, C. M. 1974. PhD Thesis, University of Tasmania.