ANTHOCYANIN VARIATION IN THE GENUS RUBUS

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Abstract
Summary: The pigments of Rubus fruits vary in concentration and in the nature of the aglycones and sugars contained in the anthocyanin molecule. Variation in concentration is determined by the genes T, P, Y, Ys, Ycor and possibly Bl and by minor genes. Up to six sugars may be present: one monoglycoside, three diglycosides and two triglycosides. The monoglycoside was present in all the material studied and the presence or absence of the diglycosides rutinose, sophorose, and sambubiose was determined by segregation of the genes R, So and Xy. Synthesis of triglycosides occurred when genes So and R or Xy and R were present together. Cyanidin is the predominant aglycone of raspberries and blackberries, but pelargonidin occurred as traces in raspberries and as the predominant aglycone in R. parviflorus, a species of the sub‐genus Anoplobatus, and in R. pileatus, a species of the sub‐genus Idaeobatus. Knowledge of agenotype's anthocyanin sugars frequently provides evidence of its probable ancestry, but little evidence is available to suggest that any one sugar should be preferred to another.