Effect of Sucrose and Abscisic Acid on Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Rose (Rosa × hybrida) Callus Cultures

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Poonam Kumari 1
D. V. S. Raju Raju 2
K. V. Prasad 2
Surinder Paul 3
1 1. Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110 012, India. 2. Agrotechnology Division, CSIR-Institute Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur- 176061 (H.P.), India.
2 1. Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi- 110 012, India. 2. ICAR- Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune- 411 005, Maharashtra, India.
3 ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Centre for Indian Himalayan Grasslands, Palampur 176062 (H.P.), India.
10.48311/jast.2026.73100.0
Abstract
Rose (Rosa × hybrida) is a highly appealing floral species characterized by a diverse spectrum of colors primarily due to anthocyanin pigments. Anthocyanins are the nutraceutical pigments that are present in roses, having various health-promoting and pharmaceutical properties due to their high antioxidant activities. Contemporary plant tissue culture methods can serve as an alternative for in vitro production of these natural pigments to mitigate seasonal fluctuations. In the present study, efforts were directed toward enhancing anthocyanin pigment production in callus cultures of Rosa × hybrida cv. Ashwini through the application of different concentrations of sucrose, abscisic acid (ABA), and their combinations. When rose petals were cultured on solid MS medium supplemented with 6.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in complete darkness, early and prolific callus induction was observed. In rose petal calli, the initial pigment induction, enhancement, and increased anthocyanin accumulation were noted when the Euphorbia millii (EM) medium contained 80g/l sucrose. Anthocyanin accumulation was augmented in petal-derived rose calli in response to ABA at specific concentrations (30 µM). Increased ABA concentration in the EM medium diminished pigment accumulation. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the response coefficient and anthocyanin content (r = 0.960).
Keywords
ABA
Anthocyanins
Nutraceuticals
Rose
Sucrose
Subjects
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 June 2026