For choicest colored flowers… genes to fulfill consumers’s demand

Abstract

Floriculture provides a fertile ground for development and commercialization of biotech ornamental crops, both in cut flowers and pot/bedding plants. A number of traits are targeted as attractive candidates for genetic engineering intervention to obtain novelty, like flower color, shelf life, structure, scent and plant architecture. Flower color is governed mainly by anthocyanins, carotenoids and betalains, apart from various co-pigments and vacuolar pH. Flower shelf life is genetically controlled by ethylene biosynthesis and ethylene perception. Any manipulation of ethylene-related processes can alter shelf life. Floral scent is governed by combinations of many fatty acid derived compounds with S-linalool synthase as prime candidate. Flower and plant architectures are also equally interesting traits wherein intensive basic research is underway. Rational selection and modification of candidate genes for development of transgenic ornamental crops and subsequent commercialization can be successfully realized using modern tools of molecular biotechnology.