Chemogenetical investigations of flower colours in Cyclamen

Abstract

Flower pigments in cyclamen species, cultivars and crosses between cultivars were investigated to provide a basis for the description of cultivars and for breeding work. By paper chromatography, 14 anthocyanins and 8 flavonol glycosides were isolated. Two leuco-anthocyanins were found. The results of the analysis of flower-colouring flavonoids in wild species and cultivars were listed in tables. Analysis of the chemistry and genetics of crosses between cultivars confirmed the presence of genes W, F, S and M . Additional data were found on their effect in biosynthesis of flavonoids. Three new genes were detected: X, determining the glycosidic pattern of a flavonol glycoside, Y , determining the glycosidic pattern of an anthocyanin, and Z , determining the distribution of flower pigment.A hypothesis on the effect of the genes in the biosynthesis of the flowercolouring flavonoids was proposed