Influence of light and temperature conditions on anthocyanin accumulation in Vaccinium spp. Berries

Anthocyanins are the main pigments in the Vaccinium berries. Besides contributing the characteristic bluish to reddish colors of the berries, anthocyanins are also recognized as potential health beneficial compounds.  The biosynthesis of anthocyanins is well understood and the key regulators have been characterized in many plant species. The final anthocyanin composition in ripe berries is regulated both by developmental and environmental factors, determined by the genetic background. We have studied the role of different light and temperature conditions on accumulation of anthocyanins in wild bilberries (V. myrtillus) and cultivated highbush blueberries(V. corymbosum), both in controlled and in field experiments. These experiments include specific growth conditions and clones from northern and southern latitudes in addition to different altitudes. The results show complicated interactions both in the levels and qualitative composition of anthocyanins as response to light and temperature conditions. For instance, lower temperature and specific light wavelengths induced accumulation of delphinidin glycosides in bilberries. However, high species-specific variation in response to different treatments or growth conditions was detected