Multiple Allelism in Flavonoid Hydroxylation in Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. Flowers

The inheritance of three major anthocyanidins, pelargonidin (Pg), cyanidin (Cy) and delphinidin (Dp), was studied by examining the progenies derived from self- and reciprocal cross-pollinations of lisianthus flowers. A clear phenetic segregation of progenies was observed in which the B-ring hydroxylation during flavonoid synthesis was under regulation completely complementing each other between Pg- and Dp-syntheses. The PgDp-phenotype does not exist and may accompany Cy-synthesis. Based on 782 progenies observed, it seems that multiple alleles control the flavonoid B-ring hydroxylation. Segregation patterns could be explained by the presence of at least four alleles designated HT, HF, HD, and HO in lisianthus flowers, controlling the 3'-; 5'-; 3', 5'-; 3'- and 3', 5'-hydroxylation, respectively.