Photoperiod and shading regulate coloration and anthocyanin accumulation in the leaves of malus crabapples

Abstract

In many ornamental plants, anthocyanin accumulation in leaves is a critical determinant of foliage coloration. However, the mechanism by which photoperiod and shading affect coloration and anthocyanin accumulation in the leaves of woody plants is less clear. By examining the leaves and calli of crabapple (Malus spp.) cultivars with different leaf color characteristics, we analyzed the foliage coloration, flavonoid contents, and expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes and the McMYB10 transcription factor under different photoperiods and shading treatments. The red color parameters, flavonoid contents, and expression levels of some anthocyaninrelated genes in both the leaf and callus were generally higher under sun-exposure or long-day treatments compared to shading or short-day treatments. These data indicate that red color formation in cultivars with leaves that are naturally red requires a suitable photoperiod and light intensity; high light intensity or long-day conditions activate anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes, leading to anthocyanin accumulation. Our results also indicate that the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic metabolism in response to light conditions differs between red-leafed and green-leafed cultivars. Taken together, our data reveal that photoperiod and light intensity are important in the regulation of pigmentation and anthocyanin accumulation in crabapple leaves and calli. Moreover, we provide a useful approach for studying and inducing the production of flavonoids by crabapple callus culture under certain photoperiods.

Evaluation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of hydroethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. from Rajasthan, India

“…Anthocyanin is responsible for the blue, purple and red colour of flower, fruits and leaves (Lu et al 2015). Monomeric anthocyanin reversibly change color with a change in pH.…”

Hybrid de novo transcriptome assembly of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotsch) bracts

“…Plants are classified according to photoperiodic responses into long-day (LD), in which flowering occurs when the day becomes longer than some crucial length, and short-day (SD), in which flowering occurs when the day becomes shorter [33]. Photoperiod also plays an important role in regulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants [34], with longer photoperiods generally promoting anthocyanin biosynthesis [11, 49]. Nonetheless, some plants are able to activate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in short photoperiod situations.…”

Integrated Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal a Regulatory Network of Anthocyanin Metabolism Contributing to the Ornamental Value in a Novel Hybrid Cultivar of Camellia japonica

“…Pigments are key molecules in formation of the leaf colors [8,9]. Given that the color changes happened after 10 days, 30 days, and 50 days in leaves of CH, BM, and BO, we measured the contents of anthocyanin, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in the three growth stages accordingly.…”

“…Leaf color changes in plants are associated with the relative content alteration of pigments, including chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and their glycosides [5][6][7]. It has been reported that the abundant anthocyanin biosynthesis in the leaves and the excessive accumulation of anthocyanin-associated metabolites in the vacuole led to a red-leaf phenotype in ornamental plants, including Quercus coccifera and Malus crabapples [8,9]. To date, the mechanism involved in the determination of leaf color in Camellia plants, especially in C. japonica, remains poorly understood.…”