HACKETT, WESLEY P. Department of Environmental Horticulture,University of California,Davis,95616. - Differential expression and functional significance of anthocyanins in relation to phasic development.
During the developement of higher plants from seed,there are changes
in their phenotypic characteristics.These changes in phenotypic
characteristics are referred to as phasic developement or phase
change.Those characteristics associated with competence for
reproductive developement are referred to as adult or mature and those
associated with vegetative growth are referred to as juvenile.The
characteristics that change during phasic developement are not
necessarily consistent from species to species.However, phase specific
accumulation of anthocyanins in stem and leaf tissue has been observed
in a number of genera and species. This paper will present
experimental evidence for the anatomical,biochemical and molecular
bases for phase specific accumulation of anthocyanin in Hedera
helix,a temperate zone vine species.The relationship of phase
specific anthocyanin accumulation with other physiological and
anatomical characteristics and the possible functional significance of
accumulation will be discussed.The possible functional significance of
phase specific anthocyanin accumulation in other species will also be
discussed.
Key words: Hedera helix, juvenility, maturation, phase change