Post by bergere on Mar 2, 2006 9:59:13 GMT -5
Australian and Japanese researchers have demonstrated the application of RNAi technology for gene replacement in plants, developing the world's only blue rose.
The CSIRO-developed RNAi technology was a key technology used under license by Florigene Ltd, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company and part of the Japanese Suntory group of companies to develop the rose.
Breeders have attempted to make true blue roses over many years, but none have successfully bred roses with blue pigment. In its first commercial application in plants, the CSIRO-developed RNAi technology was used to remove the gene encoding the enzyme dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) in roses.
www.physorg.com/news3581.html
Though highly sought after, no blue roses exist yet. Some roses are advertised as blue, but they are actually lavender or something. Most lavender roses are difficult to grow and are quite susceptible to disease. Some of the bluer roses are Blue Girl, Blue Jay(HT), and Reine des Violettes(HP). A couple of true purple roses are Cardinal de Richelieu and Veilchenblau.
The genetics are just not there for producing a true blue color in roses. It will probably be necessary to use gene splicing to produce the first blue rose.
I love Lavender colored roses,,,so far they are not harder to grow than other hybrids.
