Some factors affecting anthocyanin synthesis in cress seedlings

Abstract

The normal anthocyanin accumulation of cress seedlings grown on water in the dark can be increased by feeding 1% solns. of the following sugars: glucose, fructose, sucrose, invert sugar, galactose, sorbose and arabinose. Whereas 1% glucose causes a stimulation in the anthocyanin production of 50% above normal, 2% glucose causes a stimulation of 150% and 4% glucose a stimulation of 450%. Anthocyanin production is related more closely to total sugar content than to the content of any one sugar. Although feeding with 0.02 [image] (NH4)2SO4 causes a reduction in the internal sugar content to approx. 33% of its normal value, there is no concomitant reduction in anthocyanin content. The possible reason for this is discussed. Low light intensities stimulate the anthocyanin production of cress seedlings grown on water, the curve relating the amt. of pigment produced to the amt. of light received having the form of a rectangular hyperbola. It has been shown that the effect of the light may manifest itself after the source of the illumination has been removed.