Differences in flower color and pigment composition among white carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivars

Measurement of flower colors with a color analyzer showed significant differences among 13 white carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivars. Petals of three cultivars, 'White Mind', 'Kaly' and 'White Barbara', were nearly pure white, compared with the other 10 cultivars. Analysis of pigment composition by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography classified 13 white cultivars into three types, The nearly pure-white cultivar,'White Mind' lacked flavonoid compounds in the petals. 'Kaly' and 'White Barbara' accumulated a large amount of naringenin derivatives. The other normal white cultivars contained kaempferol derivatives as the major flavonoid. We concluded that 'White Mind', 'Kaly' and 'White Barbara' were nearly pure white because they lack flavonols, such as kaempferol derivatives. Our results suggest that in 'White Mind', the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway is blocked before chalcone synthesis, whereas in 'Kaly' and 'White Barbara' it is blocked at the flavanone-3-hydroxylase step. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.