The origin of the LhMYB12 gene, which regulates anthocyanin pigmentation of tepals, in Oriental and Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.)

• Polymorphisms of MYB12 among Lilium species and hybrids were evaluated.
• The results indicate MYB12 in pink Oriental hybrid lily cultivars were derived from L. speciosum and L. rubellum.
• MYB12 genes in the Oriental hybrid lily cultivars ‘Dizzy’ and ‘Casablanca’ were derived from L. auratum.
• L. cernuum had contributed pink colouration to Asiatic hybrid lily cultivars.

MYB12 is one of the key genes causing variation in anthocyanin colour in lily flowers. Nearly full-length sequences of the MYB12 gene were determined in 6 wild species and their 6 varieties, each of the Archelirion and Sinoartagon sections from the genus Lilium, and their sequences were compared with sequences of 20 cultivars of Oriental and Asiatic hybrid lilies. In total, 29 MYB12 sequences were detected. Most of the MYB12 sequences in full-pink-flowered cultivars of Oriental hybrid lilies were similar to those in Lilium speciosum and L. rubellum, and thus, should be derived from these two wild species. Lilium auratum had identical or similar MYB12 sequences to Oriental hybrid cultivars ‘Dizzy’ and ‘Casablanca’: These plants have a white tepal background with or without red raised spots and red centrelines. MYB12 genes from L. japonicum rarely appeared in Oriental hybrid lily cultivars. MYB12 sequences in Asiatic hybrid lily cultivars were identical or similar to those in L. cernuum, indicating that L. cernuum has contributed pink colouration to these cultivars.