ABSTRACT

Anthocyanins occur in pigmented varieties of barley, Hordeum vulgare L., and in plants subjected to nutritional or pathological stresses. The pigmentation of various parts of the barley plant can be black or blue, red, or purple. The presence of anthocyanins may be an important characteristic in barley used for beer production. The inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in maize or corn is well documented. In oats the formation of anthocyanins is genetically regulated by a single recessive gene which requires red light for its activation. Rice, Oryza spp., is one of the most important food crops. In the absence of light, ethylene promotes synthesis of apigeninidin and luteolinidin in mesocotyls of sorghum. Color of pearl millet varies from yellow to bluish gray. Rye, Secale cereale L., is an important cereal crop in the cool climates of northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Wheat is the world's most important grain crop. Buckwheat is commonly grown for its black or gray triangular seeds.