Effect of the genes B and Pl on anthocyanin synthesis in maize endosperm culture

B and Pl are two genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in maize (Zea mays) plant tissues. In this work the effect of B and Pl on pigment accumulation is analyzed in endosperm tissues, either cultured in vitro or scraped off from the seed. The results obtained indicate that the two genes play a different role in callus pigmentation: B exerts a qualitative change in pigment composition, while Pl controls the rate of pigment accumulation in the callus. Anthocyanin synthesis in all strains analyzed appears to be light independent. Two cases of instability in pigment production arisen in the endosperm cultures are described and discussed in relation to epigenetic variation in secondary metabolite content in plant tissue culture.