Breeding glittering carnations by an efficient mutagenesis syst

We have developed a systematic and directed method to create novel glittering mutants in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) by combining the advantages of ion-beam breeding and genomic information. The method is a series of steps that include: (i) establishing a basic strategy to select appropriate genotypes for specific breeding aims using genomic information, (ii) identifying factors that induce anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVIs), (iii) using ion-beam irradiation consecutively to modify pigment glycosylation and/or acylation, (iv) tuning shading of color, and (v) selecting stable mutants with markers. During the course of this work, we identified a factor that causes AVIs and analyzed the content of anthocyanins and related compounds in the flowers of these mutants. Applying the method, we have created two highly novel carnations with the most glittering color ever reported.