Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Internal Factors on the Floral Color of Four Chrysanthemum Cultivars of Different Colors

Flower color, a critical phenotypic trait of ornamental plants, is an essential indicator for flower variety classification. Many physical and internal factors that affect color have been widely investigated; however, the effects during flowering period remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated on floral coloration four chrysanthemum cultivars different colors. colorimetric measurements showed L*, a*, b* were in correlation with lightness development cultivars. The distinctive shape upper epidermal cells was observed each stage colored chrysanthemums. With progression process, content anthocyanins carotenoids increased early stages, decreased at senescence stage, highest full-bloom stage. vacuolar pH flowers gradually as bloomed. Metal contents varied across varieties. Anthocyanins biosynthesis genes, such CmCHS CmCHI, expressed responsible pigment changes red Moreover, expression pattern cytosol pH-related CmVHA-a1, CmVHA-C, CmVHA-C″1, accordance decrease stages. Our results revealed main Chrysanthemum varieties, providing insights into introcellular molecular regulatory mechanisms laying key foundations improvement breeding