Effects of Growing Season and Temperature on Flower Color in Apricot and Picotee Flower Genotypes of Spray Chrysanthemum

Abstract

To clarify the effects of growing season and temperature on flower color in apricot and picotee flower genotypes of spray chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitam.), flower petal color of ray florets flowered under different growing seasons or temperatures was evaluated. Concentrations of anthocyanin and carotenoid in ray florets were also assayed. Apricot flower genotypes displayed a yellowish flower, decreased a* value and increased b* and h values under high temperature conditions. In picotee flower genotypes, the red region on the petal paled or disappeared under high temperature conditions, changing the proportions of picotee. There were two patterns for the expression of picotee phenotype, 1. genotypes in which the white region appeared at the tip of a red petal under high temperature. 2. genotypes in which the red region was located at the base of petal, and the region was increased at the optimal temperature.