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

Abstract 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.