Abstract:

The influence of environmental conditions on floral color of Hedychium ‘Hanyue’ was analyzed，so as to provide the basis for the species selection, cultivation, storage and preservation of cut flowers. H. ‘Hanyue’ bud period branches were used as the experimental materials which were treated under different temperature, light intensity. The change of floral color phenotype, chroma value and the pigment content were observed. Under low temperature condition of 10℃, the content of carotenoids and total flavonoids decreased while anthocyanin increased; the values of red-green degree a^*, yellow-blue degree b^* and color saturation degree C^* decreased, while luminance value L^* increased; the phenotype showed that the color of the labellum was lighter and the brightness increased. Under the condition of 10000 lx, the color of the heart of the labrum was weakened, the accumulation of carotenoid decreased, but the accumulation of total flavonoids increased, anthocyanin accumulation had no significant change, and the values of a^*, b^*, C^* decreased. Under the combination of low temperature and light treatment, the decreasing range of H. ‘Hanyue’ labellum color and carotenoid content were greater than that under single factor treatment. It is concluded that carotenoids play a decisive role in the flower color phenotype of H. ‘Hanyue’. According to the results of this study, a sunny and warm environment should be selected for the cultivation of H. ‘Hanyue’, and the indoor temperature as well as light intensity can be properly increased to encourage normal flower color when using cut flowers.

Key words: Hedychium, floral color, low temperature, light intensity, carotenoids