Evaluation of young F1 Lilium hybrids using fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and morphological attributes

Lilium, an important ornamental crop, requires genetic and phenotypic assessment in the development of new hybrids. Therefore, genetic (using FISH) and morphological studies were conducted on newly developed hybrids belonging to Lilium genomes (Asiatic, Oriental, longiflorum). Morphological results revealed that all F-1 hybrids showed significant differences from one another. Triploid Asiatic hybrids (Brunello x Mapira) showed good phenotypic characteristics and longiflorum hybrids (Bright Tower x Snow Queen) expressed good growth characters. The Brunello x Mapira hybrid was especially superior in root length, number of scales, bulb diameter and bulb weight. Chromosomal studies confirmed that all hybrids were diploid (2x = 24) with 24 chromosomes except the "AA-2" Asiatic hybrid which was triploid (2x = 3x = 36). In our karyotyping results, there was non-significant variation with respect to short arm length and arm length ratio among hybrids, while long arm length and total chromosome length showed significant differences. In the case of 45S signals, the maximum number of 45S rDNAs were found in "Bright Tower x Snow Queen" while the minimum number of 45S signals (2) were found in "Yellow cocotte x Valdisole". 5S signals were similar in all hybrids except triploid Asiatic hybrids. Thus, newly developed young hybrids can be successfully screened using morphological and FISH analysis. FISH karyotyping identified a triploid Asiatic hybrid which was also superior in phenotypic characteristics.