Classical vs. Modern Genetic and Breeding Approaches for Lily (Lilium) Crop Improvement: A Review

Abstract

Lilies are of great economic important flowering plant that belongs to the genus Lilium can be grown under diverse climatic conditions. During the last decade the lily has gained popularity worldwide among cut flowers and potted flowering plants. Seeing the great recognition of lilies in international flower trade, several breeding approaches have been adopted on different Lilium sections/groups and more than 10,000 lily cultivars have been bred. Innovative breeding strategies and advancement in molecular and biotechnology techniques have made the assortment of lilies dramatically. Different DNA marker approaches have great potential to increase the precision and efficiency of conventional lily breeding via marker-assisted selection (MAS) and different breeders used it for Lilium crop improvement. In this review, different approaches and techniques that lily breeders have employed to develop novel cultivars are discussed. It is imperative to recognize that there must be an enhanced integration and synchronization in different lily objective oriented breeding programs, so that current issues, barriers etc. can be well identified with their appropriate solutions.