LAUSR

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate molecular and phytochemical changes in four landraces of Rosa damascena with different in color and floral developmental stages. Data showed the highest amount of anthocyanin content in stage B, while it was reduced at stage C during flower development in all landraces. Interestingly, increasing in cellular pH was occurred gradually in all landraces during flower development. Based on essential oil analysis, 2-Phenylethanol was detected in all landraces, except for Lavasanat. Molecular expression pattern of RhPAR gene showed high expression rate in all landraces at stage B with 6 time more than its control, except for Lavasanat. Similarly, the change in the expression rate was occurred in RhMYB1 and the transcript level of RhANS was significantly higher in Kamoo and Minab in compared to Ghalhar, which is consistent with the anthocyanin content. Increasing the RhPAR relative expression could be implied to promoting effect of RhMYB1 which resulted in enhancing the 2-PE component production in the petals of Rosa damascena and expression of RhANS, as a key gene in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway.