Regulation of Anthocyanin during Storage Root Development Stage in Sweet Potato（Ipomoea batatas（L.） Lam.）

Anthocyanin accumulation during storage root development in purple-fleshed sweet potato was analyzed by detection of anthocyanin concentration, accumulation rate and the expression pattern of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Anthocyanin concentration in sweet potato cvs Jishu 18 and Ayamurasaki increased steadily during storage root development stage. The accumulation rate in two genotypes peaked at 50 to 65 d after transplanting, and then declined rapidly. During storage root development of Ayamurasaki, the anthocyanin biosynthesis gene, IbCHS, was constitutively expressed, the genes IbF3H, IbDFR, IbANS were induced steadily, reaching a maximum at the later stage of root thickening, and IbPAL steadily decreased. Therefore, the mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation differed between the two cultivars, and anthocyanin biosynthesis was regulated through regulation of its synthetic enzymes.