Scientists cultivate a new variety of edible lily

Recently, the “Zhongbai No. 1,” a new variety of edible lily developed by the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, received plant variety rights from China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

This marks the first time an edible lily variety in China has been granted such rights. The “Zhongbai No. 1” boasts an impressive yield potential of 2,150 kg/mu (approximately 1,433 kg/km²), significantly exceeding the traditional yield ranges of the Lanzhou edible lily, which are between 750-1,000 kg/mu (around 500-667 kg/km²).

Researchers from the Lanzhou Eco-Agricultural Research Station at NIEER utilized a combination of systematic breeding, hybrid breeding, and polyploid breeding techniques to develop this high-yield and high-quality edible lily variety.

The region of Midwestern China is recognized as a hub for the natural distribution and diversity of the genus Lilium. The researchers conducted an analysis of the relationship and diversity among 11 Lilium species in this area, as well as a comparison of their homologous genes utilizing comparative transcriptomics.

The elevation significantly impacted the morphological traits of the 11 species, while moisture factors such as total annual precipitation and mean annual relative humidity also played a crucial role.

The researchers identified 31 homologous genes among these species and constructed a phylogenetic tree based on their orthologous genes. At the Lanzhou Eco-Agricultural Research Station, researchers have dedicated decades to studying and developing special agricultural resources, including lilies.

After over 20 years of meticulous research, the station has developed a nursery that houses cold-resistant, drought-resistant, and salt-alkali-tolerant germplasm resources, along with a high-quality tissue culture seedling bank for edible lilies. At the station, researchers have identified various stress-resistant and growth-related genes linked to Lilium through positive selection.

The findings serve as a valuable reference for the molecular exploration of Lilium germplasm resources, aiding breeding initiatives.

Additionally, they have produced tens of thousands of hybrid offspring for both edible and ornamental lilies, which establishes a robust germplasm foundation for the quality advancement of the lily industry.

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