The influence of Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation in selenium-enriched Brassica napus L.:changes in the nutritional constituents,bioactivities and bioaccessibility

Selenium(Se)-enriched Brassica napus L.is a valuable organic Se supplement.In this study,the fermentation broth enriched with organic Se(FFS)was prepared using Lactobacillus plantarum to ferment the substrate of Se-enriched Brassica napus L.Significant increases were observed after fermentation in total sugars,reducing sugars,soluble proteins,total phenolic content(TPC),and total flavonoid content(TFC).The organic Se was retained at a concentration of 54.75 mg/g in the freeze-dried sample.Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed good separation between the FFS and unfermented(FS)groups.Fragrant 2-ethyloxetane had the highest content among all volatiles,while sinapine had the highest content among all phenolic compounds.The fermentation process showed remarkable improvement in the abundance and concentration of volatile compounds and phenolic contents,making FFS exhibit strong antioxidant activity and inhibitory capacity againstα-glucosidase activity.The bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds was significantly greater in FFS compared to FS.ADMET analysis revealed that the majority of phenolic compounds contained in FFS did not exhibit mutagenicity toxicity,hepatotoxicity,skin sensitization,or blood-brain barrier penetration,indicating a favorable level of biosafety.Overall,our study provides a new insight into the further utilization of Se-enriched Brassica napus L.in foods.

Effect of Foliar Fertilizer Spraying at Seedling Stage on the Growth Physiological Characteristics and Yield of Brassica napus L.

In order to select a suitable foliar fertilizer for Brassica napus L.at the seedling stage,using‘Fengyou 958’as the material,different foliar fertilizers including BR,Se,Si,BR+Si,BR+Se,Se+Si and BR+Se+Si were sprayed at the seedling stage to study their effect on the physiological characteristics,growth and yield of Brassica napus L..The results showed that the growth,chlorophyll content,soluble sugar content,soluble protein content,and yield of different treatments at the budding stage improved compared with the control.The effect of the Si+Se treatment was the best,followed by the Se and Si treatments.The chlorophyll content of the flower decreased continuously during the whole flowering period,and the chlorophyll content of the mature silique peel was higher than that of the seed.The content of soluble sugar in flowers was the highest in the early flowering stage,and the content of soluble sugar in leaves at the flowering stage was higher than that at the budding stage.The soluble sugar content in the harvested silique peel decreased gradually with the increase of time,and that in the silique peel and seed was similar at 35 d after pollination.The soluble protein content in the silique peel and seed decreased gradually at the mature stage,and the soluble protein content in the silique peel was higher than that in the seed at the same stage.Si+Se foliar fertilizer spraying at the seedling stage can promote the growth and yield of Brassica napus L.and can be applied in Brassica napus L.production.

Development of a KASP Marker on Chromosome A05 for Seed Oil Content of Brassica napus

In order to identify the molecular markers that can be widely used in the breeding of Brassica napus L.varieties with high seed oil content under different genetic backgrounds,we developed a Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)marker for seed oil content on the basis of the results from available studies.The verification in the F_(2) population showed that the marker was closely linked to the quantitative trait locus(QTL)for oil content on chromosome A05.The findings helped to breed the‘Fengyou’varieties with high seed oil content in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

芥蓝(Brassica alboglabra Bailey)组培苗遗传稳定性的研究

对芥蓝（BrassicaalboglabraBailey）组培苗后代从个体形态特征、染色体数目、过氧化物酶同工酶进行分析研究，结果表明：组培第一代苗在外部形态上、产籽量等方面基本保持了原母株特征，染色体数目和过氧化物酶同工酶酶谱也与原母株相一致.

甘蓝型黄籽油菜粒色基因候选区间的QTL-Seq定位及连锁标记开发

甘蓝型油菜黄籽性状遗传来源较为复杂且易受环境条件影响,基因定位和分子标记开发难度大.相比于传统QTL定位,结合二代深度测序等生信方法直接对甘蓝型油菜黄籽基因进行染色体定位、基因挖掘和标记开发,将有助于黄籽遗传机理的研究.利用甘蓝型油菜黄籽临保系63-2和黑籽67-1配制杂交组合,构建F 2粒色分离群体.遗传分析表明:该群体中黄籽性状受1对隐性主效基因控制;以法国甘蓝型油菜Darmor-bzh基因组为参考,利用集团分离分析法和全基因组重测序将黄籽性状基因定位于C03染色体6.1~9.0 Mb置信区间内,同时基于基因组变异和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳验证获得与粒色基因紧密连锁的SSR标记4个和InDel标记5个.

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis ofBoPGIP2 Gene from Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra

PGIP gene was obtained from Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra, named BoPGIP2. The full length of BoPGIP2 gene is 1 102 bp and the exon is 993 bp which encodes a protein of 330 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 37.1 kDa, interrupted by one intron of 95 bp in, length. Sequence analysis revealed that it has five potential N-giycosylation sites, two protein kinase C phosphrylation sites, five casin kinase Ⅱ phosphrylation sites and four N-myristoylation sites. The amino acids sequences alignment confirmed that ^145 LRR stucture was highly conserved in all aligned PGIP sequences.

Dissecting the genetic architecture of glucosinolate compounds for quality improvement in flowering stalk tissues of Brassica napus

Glucosinolates(GSLs) and their hydrolytic products contribute to the quality traits of rapeseed flowering stalk tissues, such as taste, flavor and anticarcinogenic properties(Glucoraphanin). However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms of GSL accumulation in rapeseed flowering stalks. In this study, the variation and genetic architecture of GSL metabolites in flowering stalk tissues were investigated for the first time among a panel of 107 accessions. All GSL compounds exhibited continuous and wide variations in the present population. Progoitrin,glucobrassicanapin and gluconapin were the most abundant GSL compounds. Five quantitative trait loci(QTL) significantly associated with three GSL compounds were identified by genome-wide association study. GRA_C04 was under selected during modern breeding, in which the ratio of lower GSL haplotype(HAP2) in the accessions bred before 1990(52.56%) was significantly lower than that after 1990(78.95%). Four candidate genes, BnaA01. SOT16, BnaA06. SOT17, Bna A06. MYB51a, and Bna A06. MYB51b, were identified in the GTL_A01 and 4OH_A06 regions.These findings provide new insights into GSL biosynthesis in flowering stalk tissues and facilitate quality improvement in rapeseed flowering stalks.

基于QTL和转录组测序鉴定甘蓝型油菜耐旱候选基因

干旱胁迫严重限制了甘蓝型油菜种植面积的扩大和产量的提升。耐旱性是由多基因控制的复杂数量性状,将QTL定位与转录组测序相结合,是鉴定甘蓝型油菜耐旱候选基因的有效手段。本研究对甘蓝型油菜干旱敏感品系三六矮和耐旱品系科里纳-2构建的F2:6和F2:8重组自交系群体幼苗进行正常灌溉和干旱胁迫处理,测定地上部鲜重、地上部干重、叶片相对含水量、丙二醛和可溶性糖含量,利用SSR和SNP多态性分子标记构建遗传连锁图谱,鉴定耐旱相关QTL和候选区间,结合耐旱材料No11和干旱敏感材料No28的转录组测序,筛选耐旱相关候选基因。研究结果表明:干旱胁迫使甘蓝型油菜幼苗地上部鲜重、地上部干重和叶片相对含水量下降,使叶片丙二醛和可溶性糖含量上升;耐旱相关QTL和候选区间分布于A01、A02、A06、A08、A09、A10、C02、C03、C04、C06和C09染色体;对耐旱材料和干旱敏感材料正常灌溉、干旱24 h、36 h和48 h进行转录组分析,主要差异表达基因显著富集到光合作用、脂肪酸代谢、氨基酸代谢、植物激素信号转导、核糖体、昼夜节律及角质、木栓素和蜡质的生物合成等相关途径;将QTL与转录组测序相结合,鉴定到28个耐旱相关候选基因,主要编码FLC、bHLH105、TGA4、TEM1、ERF003、ACO3、CHLI1、LHCB6和PORC等,具有转录因子活性、乙烯产生和信号传导、叶绿素生物合成与结合、叶绿素氧化还原酶以及编码核糖体相关蛋白等功能。这些结果可为揭示甘蓝型油菜耐旱机理及分子标记辅助选育耐旱新品种奠定基础。

Photosynthetic Capacities and Productivity of Indoor Hydroponically Grown <i>Brassica alboglabra</i>Bailey under Different Light Sources

A major challenge for growing vegetables in an indoor vertical farming system will be supplying not only sufficient quantity but also quality of light. It has been reported that yield of crops is enhanced under appropriate combination of red and blue light compared with red light alone. This project aims to investigate the effects of different combinations of red and blue. Plants were cultured for a 12-h photoperiod at 210 μmol·m–2·s–1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) under different combinations of red (R) and blue (B) light-emitting diodes (LED). The R:B-LED ratios are: 1) 100:0 (0B);2) 92:8 (8B);3) 84:16 (16B) and;4) 76:24 (24B). All combined RB-LEDs significantly increased light-saturated photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate (Asat), stomatal conductance (gs sat) and productivity compared with those under 0B. Results suggested that 16B was the most suitable combination of LEDs to achieve the highest productivity for B. alboglabra. To further substantiate these results, comparative studies were conducted under equal photoperiod and PPFD among 16B (RB-LED), white LED (RBW-LED) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. Shoot, root biomass, leaf number, leaf mass per area and Asat were higher in plants under HPS lamps and RB-LED, than under RBW-LED. However, gs sat was lower under RB-LED and RBW-LED, than under HPS lamps. Plants under RB-LED had higher electron transport rate and photochemical quenching but lower non-photochemical quenching than those under RBW-LED and HPS lamps. Thus, these results more conclusively affirmed that 16B was the most suitable light source to achieve the highest photosynthetic capacities. The findings of this study could also be used in vertical farming to achieve the highest productivity of vegetable crops such as B. alboglabra within the shortest growth cycle with reduced energy consumption.

甘蓝型油菜RIL群体苗期根系耐铝性鉴定及评价方法研究

为减少铵肥的大量施用以及酸雨频降引发的耕地酸化,从而影响作物的生长,利用综合评价方法通过幼苗期根系表型筛选耐铝种质.以甘蓝型油菜重组自交系(RIL)亲本10D130和中双11为材料筛选苗期适宜的铝胁迫浓度,使用该浓度处理RIL内138个品种(系)幼苗,对其根长、根表面积、根平均直径、根体积、根交叉数、根尖数和根干质量7个根系指标的铝毒单项耐性系数进行变异系数分析、相关性分析、主成分分析、系统聚类分析和逐步回归分析,并采用隶属函数法综合评价不同油菜品种(系)根系的耐铝特性.结果表明:138份油菜品种(系)间各项根系指标差异有统计学意义(p<0.05);筛选出甘蓝型油菜幼苗期耐铝毒品种(系)27034,27036和27007等.根据灰色关联度及逐步回归分析结果,认为根据根长、根表面积、根体积、根交叉数等7个关键指标,可以初步判断甘蓝型油菜种质幼苗期的耐铝毒特性.通过这些方法综合评价油菜对铝的耐受性,可以避免单一指标的片面性和不稳定性,结果更为可靠.

Effect of CO_2 enrichment on the glucosinolate contents under different nitrogen levels in bolting stem of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.)

The effects of CO2 enrichment on the growth and glueosinolate （GS） concentrations in the bolting stem of Chinese kale （Brassica alboglabra L.） treated with three nitrogen （N） concentrations （5, 10, and 20 mmol/L） were investigated. Height, stem thickness, and dry weights of the total aerial parts, bolting stems, and roots, as well as the root to shoot ratio, significantly increased as CO2 concentration was elevated from 350 to 800 μl/L at each N concentration. In the edible part of the bolting stem, 11 individual GSs were identified, including 7 aliphatic and 4 indolyl GSs. GS concentration was affected by the elevated CO2 concentration, N concentration, and CO2×N interaction. At 5 and 10 mmol N/L, the concentrations of aliphatic GSs and total GSs significantly increased, whereas those ofindolyl GSs were not affected, by elevated atmospheric CO2. However, at 20 mmol N/L, elevated CO2 had no significant effects on the concentrations of total GSs and total indolyl GSs, but the concentrations of total aliphatic GSs significantly increased. Moreover, the bolting stem carbon （C） content increased, whereas the N and sulfur （S） contents decreased under elevated CO2 concentration in the three N treatments, resulting in changes in the C/N and N/S ratios. Also the C/N ratio is not a reliable predictor of change of GS concentration, while the changes in N and S contents and the N/S ratio at the elevated CO2 concentration may influence the GS concentration in Chinese kale bolting stems. The results demonstrate that high nitrogen supply is beneficial for the growth of Chinese kale, but not for the GS concentration in bolting stems, under elevated CO2 condition.

BnbHLH92a negatively regulates anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in Brassica napus

Yellow seed trait is a desirable characteristic with potential for increasing seed quality and commercial value in rapeseed,and anthocyanin and proanthocyanidins(PAs)are major seed-coat pigments.Few transcription factors involved in the regulation of anthocyanin and PAs biosynthesis have been characterized in rapeseed.In this study,we identified a transcription factor gene BnbHLH92a(BnaA06T0441000ZS)in rapeseed.Overexpressing BnbHLH92a both in Arabidopsis and in rapeseed reduced levels of anthocyanin and PAs.Correspondingly,the expression profiles of anthocyanin and PA biosynthesis genes(TT3,BAN,TT8,TT18,and TTG1)were shown by quantitative real-time PCR to be inhibited in BnbHLH92a-overexpressing Arabidopsis seeds,indicating that BnbHLH92a represses the anthocyanin and PA biosynthesis pathway in Arabidopsis.BnbHLH92a physically interacts with the BnTTG1 protein and represses the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and PAs in rapeseed.BnbHLH92a also binds directly to the BnTT18 promoter and represses its expression.These results suggest that BnbHLH92a is a novel upstream regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis in B.napus.

甘蓝型油菜REVEILLE家族鉴定及诱导表达分析

【目的】REVEILLE家族基因具有重要生物学功能,而在甘蓝型油菜(Brassica napus L.)中该家族基因研究较少,深入认识甘蓝型油菜中RVE家族基因功能及其与非生物胁迫的关系。【方法】利用生物信息学方法,在甘蓝型油菜、白菜(Brassica rapa)和甘蓝(B.oleracea)中分别鉴定到33、16和16个RVE基因,并对其系统进化、染色体定位、基因结构和理化性质以及启动子顺式元件进行分析。【结果】所有的RVE蛋白被分为两个亚家族。33个BnaRVE分别定位在18条A亚基因组的染色体和15条C亚基因组的染色体上。大部分成员属于较稳定的疏水蛋白;多数Ka/Ks值小于1,说明该家族受到强烈的纯化选择作用。基因结构变异较大,内含子数目在4-11之间。共线性分析结果表明,甘蓝型油菜和拟南芥、白菜、甘蓝存在大量的同源基因。大部分甘蓝型油菜RVE家族成员在子叶和叶都有表达且表达量最多。BnaRVE启动子上含有大量与激素和生物逆境相关的元件,通过定量PCR分析,4个BnaRVE在ABA与MeJA诱导和低温胁迫下的表达量显著上调。【结论】在甘蓝型油菜基因组中鉴定出33个BnaRVE家族成员。不同基因在不同发育时期和不同组织中表现出不同的表达模式。不同基因对各种胁迫存在响应,且表达模式不一。RVE家族成员对ABA、MeJA和冷胁迫具有正向响应功能。

BnaSD.C3 is a novel major quantitative trait locus affecting semi-dwarf architecture in Brassica napus L.

Plant height is a key plant architectural trait that affects the seed yield,harvest index and lodging resistance in Brassica napus L.,although the genetic mechanisms affecting plant height remain unclear.Here,a semi-dwarf mutant,df34,was obtained by ethyl methanesulphonate-induced mutagenesis.Genetic analysis showed that the semi-dwarf phenotype is controlled by one semi-dominant gene,which was located on chromosome C03 using a bulked segregant analysis coupled with whole-genome sequencing,and this gene was named BnaSD.C3.Then BnaSD.C3 was fine-mapped to a 297.35-kb segment of the“Darmor-bzh”genome,but there was no potential candidate gene for the semi-dwarf trait underlying this interval.Furthermore,the interval was aligned to the Zhongshuang 11 reference genome.Finally,combining structural variation analysis,transcriptome sequencing,phytohormone analyses and gene annotation information,BnaC03G0466900ZS and BnaC03G0478900ZS were determined to be the most likely candidate genes affecting the plant height of df34.This study provides a novel major locus for breeding and new insights into the genetic architecture of plant height in B.napus.

甘蓝型油菜pol CMS恢复系621R硼高效利用的遗传改良

油菜是需硼量最大的作物之一,在生产中需要额外增施硼肥,否则易出现大幅度减产。为了提高油菜对硼元素的利用效率,本研究以携带Bna.A03NIP5;1优良等位基因的硼高效利用材料2016-XFSB为供体亲本,以621R为轮回亲本,通过回交与MAS相结合的方法,将Bna.A03NIP5;1优良等位基因导入621R中,选育出拥有621R遗传背景并携带有Bna.A03NIP5;1优良等位基因的近等基因系材料621R^(NIP5;1A3),并在此基础上与细胞核雄性不育系RG430A配制了杂交种。利用水培和不同土质土壤栽培试验对621R和621R^(NIP5;1A3)及其杂种进行相关农艺性状的鉴定。结果表明,621R^(NIP5;1A3)及其杂交种对硼的利用效率有明显提升。农艺性状考察结果表明,621R^(NIP5;1A3)及其改良杂交种在生物量、株高、角果长、每角果粒数和千粒重等性状上有显著优势。本研究结果对油菜硼高效育种具有重要参考价值。

Detection of new candidate genes controlling seed weight by integrating gene coexpression analysis and QTL mapping in Brassica napus L.

Seed weight is a component of seed yield in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.).Although quantitative trait loci(QTL)for seed weight have been reported in rapeseed,only a few causal quantitative trait genes(QTGs)have been identified,resulting in a limitation in understanding of seed weight regulation.We constructed a gene coexpression network at the early seed developmental stage using transcripts of 20,408 genes in QTL intervals and 1017 rapeseed homologs of known genes from other species.Among the 10 modules in this gene coexpression network,modules 1 and 2 were core modules and contained genes involved in source–flow–sink processes such as synthesis and transportation of fatty acid and protein,and photosynthesis.A hub gene SERINE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE-LIKE 19(SCPL19)was identified by candidate gene association analysis in rapeseed and functionally investigated using Arabidopsis T-DNA mutant and overexpression lines.Our study demonstrates the power of gene coexpression analysis to prioritize candidate genes from large candidate QTG sets and enhances the understanding of molecular mechanism for seed weight at the early developmental stage in rapeseed.

Effects of Heat Stress during Seed Filling Stage on Brassica napus Seed Oil Accumulation and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics

As global temperature rise,the threat of heat stress to rapeseed production is becoming more obvious.Exploring the response characteristics of two important biological pathways,oil accumulation and photosynthesis,to heat stress during B.napus seed filling is helpful in the genetic improvement of heat-tolerant rapeseed.The effects of heat stress on seed oil accumulation and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of 29 B.napus germplasms with different oil content and environmental sensitivity,including 6 rapeseed varieties which exhibited environmentsensitive/insensitive and with high,medium or low oil content,were tested by whole plant heat stress or the in vitro silique culture system.Both assay exhibited similar trend on oil content of the rapeseed germplasms.The heat effect on the chlorophyll fluorescence kinetic parameters F_(v)/F_(m),ETR and Y(Ⅱ)were also consistent.Heat stress significantly decreased oil content,although there was abundant genetic variation on heat tolerance among the genotypes.Correlation analysis showed that the decrease rate of F_(v)/F_(m) of silique heat-stressed B.napus developing seed was positive correlative to the decrease rate of mature seed oil content of the whole plant heat-stressed rapeseed(R=0.9214,P-value<0.01).Overall,the results indicated that heat stress inhibited oil accumulation and photosynthesis in B.napus developing seed.The decrease rate of chlorophyll fluorescence parameter F_(v)/F_(m) of heat-stressed developing seed could be used as the index of heat tolerant rapeseed identification.Further,two heat insensitive rapeseed varieties with high oil content were identified.

甘蓝型油菜种子硫代葡萄糖苷含量的QTL定位及候选基因分析

【目的】解析甘蓝型油菜种子硫代葡萄糖苷性状的重要遗传位点及候选基因,为甘蓝型油菜硫苷基因克隆和品种品质改良奠定基础。【方法】以甘蓝型油菜KN DH群体种子为材料,对在4个种植环境的种子硫苷含量进行QTL定位和候选基因分析。【结果】(1)甘蓝型油菜种子硫苷含量变异系数较高且较为稳定,服从数量性状的遗传特点。(2)7个一致性QTL(cqGC.A9-5、cqGC.A9-7、cqGC.A9-9、cqGC.C2-9、cqGC.C2-10、cqGC.C9-5和cqGC.C9-6)为环境稳定表达QTL,包括3个主效QTL(cqGC.A9-5、cqGC.C2-10和cqGC.C9-5)。(3)在主效QTL cqGC.A9-5和cqGC.C9-5鉴定到3个候选基因(BnaA09g05480D、BnaC09g05620D和BnaC09g05810D),主要涉及硫苷生物合成途径中吲哚-3-乙醛肟、3-烷基-苹果酸的合成及硫苷的转运与分配。【结论】甘蓝型油菜种子硫苷含量为数量性状。3个甘蓝型油菜硫苷含量主效QTL被鉴定到,其置信区间候选基因的拟南芥同源基因参与硫苷合成途径中间产物合成及促进硫苷的转运与分配。

芥菜型油菜每角籽粒数QTL的上位性互作和环境互作分析

【目的】为揭示芥菜型油菜及芸薹属作物每角籽粒数形成的分子机理,提高和改良芥菜型油菜产量和育种工作奠定基础。【方法】研究以包含221个芥菜型油菜株系的重组自交系(recombinant inbred line,RIL)群体为材料,在5个环境条件下对每角籽粒数性状进行加性QTL、加性×加性上位互作及环境互作分析。【结果】(1)共检测到7个与每角籽粒数相关的加性QTL,主要分布在芥菜型油菜A02、A03、A05、A08、B02和B03等染色体上,其加性效应分布在(-11.6424)~4.5246之间,其中qSS2-71的加性效应和遗传率均最大,分别达到-11.6424和14.44%,其余6个加性QTL的加性效应和遗传率均较小;(2)检测到7对影响每角籽粒数的加性×加性QTL上位互作效应及其与环境的互作效应,上位性QTL互作效应值分布在(-4.9308)~4.1936之间,7对上位性QTL与不同环境互作的遗传力均接近0;(3)每角籽粒数性状的广义遗传率为80.98%,狭义遗传率为30.98%。【结论】综合分析,芥菜型油菜每角籽粒数受一定环境影响,但控制该性状的加性效应受环境影响较小,且其加性×加性上位性QTL互作效应不明显。

Comparison of carotenoid,chlorophyll concentrations and their biosynthetic transcript levels in different coloured cauliflower

Carotenoids and chlorophylls are among the most widely distributed pigments in nature that play essential roles in the photosynthetic apparatus and confer diverse colours in plants.Among all vegetables,cauliflower(Brassica oleracea L.ssp.var.botrytis)is rich in phytochemicals and is an important crop grown all over the world.This study investigates carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations in differently pigmented cultivars and elucidates the role of transcriptional regulation of carotenoid accumulation including lutein andβ-carotene.Here,we characterised changes in pigments by UHPLC-DAD-ToF-MS and changes in transcript levels of carotenoid metabolic genes by qRT-PCR in florets and leaves of orange(‘Jaffa'and‘Sunset'),purple(‘Di Sicilia Violetto'and‘Graffiti'),green(‘Trevi')and white(‘Clapton')cultivars.Transcript levels of all carotenoid metabolic genes showed different transcript level patterns in the leaves and florets.Compared to the other cultivars,the orange cultivars had the highest levels ofβ-carotene in the florets and lutein in the leaves resulting in changes lutein/β-carotene ratios.In the green cultivar,higher transcript levels were also found,especially for phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase genes of the core biosynthesis pathway.However,no increased carotenoid concentrations were observed,possibly due to a higher carotenoid turnover induced by the carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 in the green cultivar.In the white(‘Clapton')and purple(‘Di Sicilia Violetto'and‘Graffiti')cultivars the phytoene desaturase transcript levels as well as carotenoid concentrations were low.Chlorophyll concentrations changed in trend comparable to the carotenoid concentrations and were only significantly lower in the leaves of the orange cultivar‘Jaffa'.Also,the chlorophyll a/b ratio changed in‘Jaffa'.In florets the highest chlorophylls concentrations were observed for the green cultivar(‘Trevi')and the purple cultivar(‘Di Sicilia Violetto').Taken together,the study demonstrates the complex source-sink relationship of carotenoid accumulation in different coloured cauliflower.