CHALCONE SYNTHASE GENE FROM ANTIRRHINUM MAJUS IN ANTISENSE ORIENTATION SUCCESSFULLY SUPPRESSED THE PETALS PIGMENTATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM

The full-length cDNA copy of chs gene from A. majus was transferred in chrysanthemum genom of Parliament variety in antisense orientation. Two transgenic lines were produced from 37 leaf explants after strong antibiotic selection. The transgenic nature of these plants confirmed by PCR of 423 NPTII gene fragment. Accumulation of CHS precursor - caffeic acid was observed in petals of transformants. Both transgenic lines demonstrated suppression of flower colour compared control plants. Clone with high accumulation level of caffeic acid produced more pale flowers.