Why does buckwheat lose its flowers? Scientists on the trail of a photosensitive chemical mystery
Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a species of high nutritional value and significant economic importance, considered a 21st-century superfood. Despite its numerous advantages, this plant is characterized by relatively low seed yield compared to other cultivated species. One reason for this phenomenon is a high rate of flower abortion and impaired embryo sac formation, the mechanisms of which are still not fully understood. It appears that fagopyrin – a photosensitive compound, structurally similar to hypericin, found primarily in buckwheat flowers – may play a role. So far, it has been studied primarily for its phototoxic properties, but not in the context of its potential biological role in the plant.
A paper has just been published in the journal Scientific Reports presenting the results of research conducted by an international team led by Dr. Marta Hornyák from our Institute. The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of fagopyrin (FAG) and its precursor (PFAG) in different parts of the buckwheat flower – stamens, pistils, petals, and receptacle – and to assess their potential role in the generative organs. Advanced analytical techniques were used, including MALDI-MSI (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization – Mass Spectrometry Imaging) and LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry). The analyses revealed the highest FAG and PFAG concentrations in the pistils, and the lowest in the corolla petals. MALDI-MSI revealed a marked accumulation of fagopyrin around the ovary. Negative relationships were also observed between FAG content in tissues and the number of developing flowers. These results suggest that fagopyrin may be involved in regulating female gametophyte development and influencing reproductive success in buckwheat.
The obtained results constitute an important step towards understanding the mechanisms limiting the reproductive success of common buckwheat, which in the future may help in developing strategies to increase the yield of its seeds.
The research was partially financed by the National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki, NCN) as part of the MINIATURA 6 project "The role of photosensitive fagopyrins in buckwheat flowers" (no. 2022/06/X/NZ9/01040). It also formed the basis for obtaining funding for another project (NCN SONATA 20, no. 2024/55/D/NZ9/02978) entitled "Does photosensitive fagopyrin F induce female gametophyte degeneration in buckwheat? – A step towards increasing seed yield", carried out under the supervision of Dr. Marta Hornyák in cooperation with the Jagiellonian University (Dr. Klaudia Sychta).
See the original article:
Hornyák M., Kula-Maximenko M., Miszalski Z., Nilsson A., Andrén P.E., Göransson U., Slazak B. 2025. Distribution of photosensitive fagopyrin in buckwheat flowers and its potential biological relevance. Scientific Reports 15: 36279. DOI
A field of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in full bloom.
Photo: Marta Hornyák
Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum).
Photo: Marta Hornyák
Experiment: growing buckwheat under different LED light spectrums.
Photo: Marta Hornyák
Fagopyrin in common buckwheat flowers: top – optical micrograph of a sample after matrix application; bottom – MALDI-MSI image of the spatial distribution of fagopyrin (colors from black-blue to red-white represent signal intensity). For detailed explanations see the article.
Photo: Anna Nilsson
