Characteristics of delayed anthocyanin accumulation of Dianthus 'Colour Magician' after anthesis

Many flowering plants including the genus Dianthus accumulate anthocyanin in the petals before anthesis, resulting in petal coloration. D. barbatus × D. chinensis 'Colour Magician' changes the white petals to the pale pinkish petals within 2-3 days after anthesis, and to deep pink petals at 5-7 days. The flower colour change is caused by the increase of the anthocyanin production in the petals after anthesis. The gene expression analysis indicated that the expression levels of late flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes (F3H, DFR, ANS) and an anthocyanin transportation-related gene (GSTF2) were very low before anthesis and increased along with petal colouring. Thus, we concluded that the petal coloration after anthesis is caused by the delay of the expressions of the late flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes in 'Colour Magician'.