Effect of Photoperiod on the Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathway Activity in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) varieties

Abstract

Cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea, is an important oilseed crop with a total global production area of approximately 59 million acres. Besides oil, peanut seed is rich in protein and a good source of vitamins and minerals. With the great nutrient profile and important role in disease prevention groundnut is needed to be explored to reveal its more beneficial effects. Anthocyanin, proanthocyanidins and flavonols are the major flavonoids that are present in fruits and flowers. Flavonoids are in all parts of the peanut plant. Many environmental factors affect the flavonoids biosynthesis in plants light being the most important one. Out of all flavonoids, flavonols are considered to play important role in photoreception. In this study, expression analysis of a representative flavonoid biosynthetic gene Flavonol Synthase (FLS) was conducted in response to different white light conditions. Highest induction of FLS gene was recorded at 24hour light treatment in both varieties. This study will provide the better understanding of effect of different light durations on the flavonoids biosynthetic pathway genes.