Genetic control of biosynthesis of anthocyans in sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.) flowers

Inheritance of anthocyanidins in sweet pea flowers was studied. A relationship was revealed between the colour of flowers in plants of mutant lines and the presence of different types of anthocyanidins in petal cells. Forms synthesizing anthocyanidins with a large number of OH groups in the B ring of their structure were found to be dominant with respect to less hydroxylated pigments. The functions of three earlier undescribed nonallelic genes of sweet pea have been identified for the first time. Gene R determines the synthesis of pelargonidin that has one OH group in the B ring. The formation of dihydroxylated cyanidin is controlled by the Sm1 gene. Gene E1 is involved in the biosynthesis of trihydroxylated delphinidin. A scheme of genetic control of anthocyanidin biosynthesis in sweet pea flowers is proposed on the basis of the data obtained. Possible mechanisms of the action of the identified genes are discussed