ISHS Acta Horticulturae 755: International Conference on Quality Management in Supply Chains of Ornamentals
BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR MODIFYING FLOWER COLOUR IN CYMBIDIUM ORCHID |
| Authors: | K.M. Davies, D.H. Lewis, M.R. Boase, H. Zhang, S.C. Deroles, K.E. Schwinn |
| Keywords: | carotenoid, flavonoid, pigment, transformation |
| Abstract:
The Orchidaceae, including the genus Cymbidium, provides important commercial ornamental species. In this article we review progress on genetic modification approaches for producing new flower colours in Cymbidium, and orchids in general, including the development of genetic transformation systems. Significant opportunities exist to introduce novel flower colours by engineering the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. However, technology for generating true blue flowers remains elusive, and requires more than just the introduction of delphinidin-derived anthocyanins. Technology may need to be developed to control factors such as the vacuolar pH, and intra- or inter-molecular pigment interactions. No success has been reported to date in conferring the production of some rare anthocyanin types, such as 3-deoxyanthocyanins and 6-hydroxyanthocyanins, to additional species. | |
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