Selective Breeding for Flower Color Using Pigment Analysis
Advisor(s)
Dr. Jayaraj Alappat, Ball Horticultural
Location
Room A113
Start Date
26-4-2019 10:05 AM
End Date
26-4-2019 10:20 AM
Abstract
Many flower breeders require hues that do not exist in the breeds that they are working with. Three pigments -- anthocyanins, betalains, and carotenoids -- along with pH, chemical structure, metal ions, and copigmentation all work together to contribute to flower color, and the analysis of these factors can provide the information needed to produce novel colors with selective breeding. This project aimed to create deep reds in roses and orange in geraniums. To produce these colors, it was necessary to identify and quantify the specific pigment compounds in the petals of different flowers. After processing organic powders of petals taken from several different samples, the concentrations of various types of anthocyanins and carotenoids were determined using spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The pH was also ascertained with a pH meter. Using the results from these tests, recommendations were given to the breeders that described which flowers they should breed together in order to produce the desired color.
Selective Breeding for Flower Color Using Pigment Analysis
Room A113
Many flower breeders require hues that do not exist in the breeds that they are working with. Three pigments -- anthocyanins, betalains, and carotenoids -- along with pH, chemical structure, metal ions, and copigmentation all work together to contribute to flower color, and the analysis of these factors can provide the information needed to produce novel colors with selective breeding. This project aimed to create deep reds in roses and orange in geraniums. To produce these colors, it was necessary to identify and quantify the specific pigment compounds in the petals of different flowers. After processing organic powders of petals taken from several different samples, the concentrations of various types of anthocyanins and carotenoids were determined using spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The pH was also ascertained with a pH meter. Using the results from these tests, recommendations were given to the breeders that described which flowers they should breed together in order to produce the desired color.