Molecular characterisation of flower colour genes in azalea sports (Rhododendron simsii hybrids)

New flower colours and new colour patterns have always been of great interest to breeders, who are constantly on the lookout for new sources of variation with which to extend their range of cultivars. In azalea, the sporting phenomenon provides a rapid means for expanding the assortment. The insight into the molecular mechanism behind the sport induction phenomenon would be beneficial for breeding programs. The first requirement to accomplish this goal is to molecularly characterise the phenotypic differences between sports. Here we report the isolation and characterisation of the flavonoid pigment genes dihydroflavonol 4'-reductase and chalcone synthase.