Novel coloured flowers

The floricultural industry has focused its attention primarily on the devel opment of novel coloured and longer living cut flowers. The basis for this was laid down some years ago through the isolation of 'blue' genes and ethy lene biosynthesis genes. Recently, a novel 'blue' gene has been discovered and yellow pigments were produced in petunias by addition of a new branch t o the phenylpropanoid pathway. More insight was obtained into the sequestra tion of anthocyanin pigments into storage vacuoles. Significant progress ha s been achieved in the commercialisation of genetically modified flower var ieties.