Asiatic Hybrid Lily Research Articles

The novel allele of the LhMYB12 gene is involved in splatter‐type spot formation on the flower tepals of Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.)

Many angiosperm families develop spatially regulated anthocyanin spots on their flowers. The Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium spp.) cv 'Latvia' develops splatter-type spots on its tepals. The splatters arise simply from the deposition of anthocyanin pigments in the tepal epidermis. To determine how splatter development was regulated, we analysed the transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, and isolated and characterized an R2R3-MYB gene specific to splatter pigmentation. All anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were expressed in splatter-containing regions of tepals, but not in other regions, indicating that splatter pigmentation is caused by the transcriptional regulation of biosynthesis genes. Previously characterized LhMYB12 regulators were not involved in splatter pigmentation, but, instead, a new allele of the LhMYB12 gene, LhMYB12-Lat, isolated in this study, contributed to splatter development. In 'Latvia' and other lily plants expressing splatters, LhMYB12-Lat was preferentially transcribed in the splatter-containing region of tepals. Progeny segregation analysis showed that LhMYB12-Lat genotype and splatter phenotype were co-segregated among the F1 population, indicating that LhMYB12-Lat determines the presence or absence of splatters. LhMYB12-Lat contributes to splatter development, but not to full-tepal pigmentation and raised spot pigmentation. As a result of its unique sequences and different transcription profiles, this new allele of LhMYB12 should be a novel R2R3-MYB specifically associating with splatter spot development.

PRODUCING LATE-SEASON CUT LILY FLOWERS

There is growing interest in the production of field-grown cut flowers in the United States; this increased interest has raised new challenges for the floriculture industry. One of these challenges is to produce fresh cut lily flowers during the late summer and early fall months when demand remains high but availability has dropped. Procedures were developed to produce cut lily flowers from Oriental, Asiatic, and LA hybrid lilies during the late summer and early fall months. A mix of fresh Oriental, Asiatic, and LA hybrid lily bulbs were obtained from The Netherlands and frozen at -1°C upon arrival. Bloom time of the bulbs was staggered by thawing and planting the cold-stored bulbs at two-week intervals beginning at week 26 in June and continuing until week 30 in July. In addition to using frozen bulbs, fresh bulbs from the southern hemisphere were evaluated. In July, fresh lily bulbs of ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Helvetia’ were obtained from Chile. These bulbs had received eight weeks of refrigeration in Chile following harvest in May. The Chilean bulbs were planted every two weeks beginning the last week in July and continuing until late September to determine how late in the season a cut lily flower could be produced. The number of days to flower, the length of the flowering stem, and bud counts were recorded on all flowering stems. Genotypic and environmental differences were noted with all cultivars and several produced excellent cut flowers for late season harvest.

An Asiatic Hybrid Lily ‘Daphne’ with Small Flower and Light Pink and Ivory Bicolor Petals

An Asiatic Hybrid Lily ‘Daphne’ with Small Flower and Light Pink and Ivory Bicolor Petals

절화용 주황색 아시아틱나리 '레드스카이' 품종 육성

A new Asiatic hybrid lily 'Redsky' cultivar was selected from a cross between 'Vivaldi' cultivar with pale pink color flower as mother plant and 'Prato' with orange colored flower in 2000 year. The selected bulb line was propagated and cultivated for line nomenclature as 'Gonong-F-na-10'. The survey of the growth and flower characteristics of 'Gonong-F-na-10' were conducted from 2005 to 2007 on summer cropping system under structure in Highland Agriculture Research Center, NICS, RDA. After all 'Gonong-F-na-10' was named as 'Redsky'. The flowers of the 'Redsky' cultivar had not soft hair and fragrance, and had orange red (O-R N30D) colored petals with dark brown spots in center of flower. The stem color was dark pink and brown caused by anthocyanin pigment, the stigma and pollen colors were brown. Flowering direction was upward. The flowering date was July 7 so early flowering. The plant height was 97.2 cm so long, number of flowers was 4.9 ea, and length of flower bud was 9.3 cm. The bulb weight was about 34.8 g and its bulb size was about 14.8 cm in circumference. 'Redsky' cultivar was registered as a new variety with No. 3119 in Korea Seed and Variety Service on June of 2010.

Pigment accumulation and transcription of LhMYB12 and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes during flower development in the Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium spp.)

Anthocyanin biosynthesis is often regulated by MYB transcription factors that are classified into AN2 and C1 subgroups. The AN2 subgroup regulates the late genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of eudicots, whereas the C1 subgroup controls both early and late genes in monocots. Anthocyanin is a major pigment in Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.), with LhMYB12 being the first AN2 subgroup in monocots. In this study, the accumulation of pigments and gene transcripts during flower bud development was evaluated to determine the genes regulated by LhMYB12. LhMYB12 and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes showed the same transcription profiles, with LhMYB12 directly activating the promoters of chalcone synthase and dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. This indicates that LhMYB12 regulates both early and late genes, despite belonging to the AN2 subgroup. The cultivar Landini accumulated anthocyanin and flavonol. The contents of these pigments increased during the late stages of flower bud development; this might result from the coordinated expression of early and late genes. During the early stages of flower bud development, the tepals contained no flavonoids but accumulated cinnamic acid derivatives. These results indicate that the profiles of pigment accumulation and gene transcription in lily tepals are unique among angiosperm flowers.

ユリから検出されたレンブラントチューリップ斑入りウイルス（新称）

In 2009, Asiatic hybrid lily plants with mosaic symptoms were observed in Akita Prefecture, Japan. In a RT-PCR assay, using universal primers for the detection of potyviruses, a potyvirus different from Lily mottle virus was detected. The conserved area of the virus coat protein (CP) shared the highest amino acid (aa) sequence similarity (95.7%) to that of Rembrandt tulip breaking virus (ReTBV). As far as we know, this report is the first on the occurrence of ReTBV in Japan and on the full aa sequence of the CP for this virus.

The transcription factor LhMYB12 determines anthocyanin pigmentation in the tepals of Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.) and regulates pigment quantity

A single dominant locus determines anthocyanin biosynthesis in the tepals of Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.); however the gene that determines this trait has not been previously reported. Furthermore, anthocyanin colour hue in tepals varies between cultivars, but the mechanisms underlying this variation are not known. Here, we show that LhMYB12, which is homologous to petunia An2, determines anthocyanin pigmentation in tepals and that the level of LhMYB12 transcription affects the quantity of anthocyanin pigments, producing colour hue variation in tepals. The pink-tepal cultivars Montreux and Renoir were heterozygous for the LhMYB12 gene. Their F1 population segregated 3:1 for the presence or absence of anthocyanin in tepals, and LhMYB12 cosegregated perfectly with the presence of anthocyanin, indicating that LhMYB12 determines anthocyanin biosynthesis in tepals. Among seven cultivars, a single anthocyanin cyanidin 3-O-β-rutinoside was detected in tepals displaying light pink, pink–red, dark red, or chocolate brown hues. However, concentrations differed according to the following order of colour hue: light pink < pink–red < dark red < chocolate brown, suggesting that colour hue variation in tepals is strongly related to anthocyanin quantities. The accumulation of LhMYB12 transcripts in tepals varied between seven cultivars in the same order, and transcription levels were positively correlated with pigment quantities. This suggests that the levels of transcription of LhMYB12 vary among the different cultivars and subsequently affect the quantities of pigment in tepals. These results indicate that LhMYB12 determines anthocyanin pigmentation and generates the variation in anthocyanin colour hue in lily tepals.

Hot water treatments reduce leaf yellowing and extend vase life of Asiatic hybrid lilies

The vase life of Asiatic lilies can be limited by leaf yellowing, which can be caused by exposure to low light or temperature during winter growth or in storage. We examined the use of postharvest hot water treatments (HWTs) as a means of reducing leaf senescence in stored (4 °C for 2 weeks) and non-stored Asiatic hybrid lily ‘Elite’ ( Lilium sp.). A range of HWTs (45–55 °C for 2.5 or 5 min) was applied to leaves on cut lily stems (but not flowers). Higher temperatures and the longer duration resulted in heat damage, but treatments of 50 °C for 5 min and 52.5 °C for 2.5 min were found to be optimal for minimising leaf yellowing with trace levels of heat damage for both non-stored and stored stems. The onset of yellowing was delayed by 3–4 d, and the occurrence of an unacceptable level of yellowing eliminated for up to 12 d (compared with <6 d for control stems). The physiological effects of these optimal HWTs were examined in terms of water uptake, chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll degradation. Water uptake for optimal HWTs during shelf life was reduced by more than 50% of the control stems. Chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves on control stems showed a reduction in yield ( F v/ F o) over time, which was more marked in lower than upper leaves (thus correlating with yellowing, which was more severe in the lower leaves). Although both optimal HWTs resulted in an initial reduction in yield, there was a recovery over time resulting in a yield that, by 12 d, was as high or significantly higher than control leaves (particularly for the lower leaves). All treatments showed a reduction in chlorophyll content (total, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), but control leaves had significantly lower levels after 7 d. HWTs show potential as a non-chemical, simple means of delaying leaf yellowing of Asiatic lilies and thus increasing vase life.

Flower bud abscission triggered by the anther in the Asiatic hybrid lily

It is not well documented which floral parts may trigger the onset of tepal or petal senescence and or flower bud abscission. Asiatic hybrid ( Lilium × elegans Thunb.) ‘Red Carpet’ lily flowers were selected as a model to study this relationship because the various floral organs of a lily flower can be easily dissected and collected for physiological studies. We hypothesized that anther is the organ that triggers flower bud abscission. Ethanol-soluble sucrose, fructose, and glucose were analyzed in the tepal, anther, filament, and pistil. The analysis was conducted on flower buds weighing 1.5 g (small buds) and 3.9 g (large buds). The sucrose content in the anthers of small buds remained high when cut flowers were held at 21 °C for 5 d, suggesting that sucrose is not hydrolyzed into fructose and glucose. However, in large buds, sucrose was not detected when flowers were held at 21 °C for 5 d. The respiration rate of small buds (2.06 g) was high (2000–3000 mg/kg fw) when the tepals were removed and the anther remained attached to the filament, but was low (less than 400 mg/kg fw) in large buds approaching anthesis. Ethylene was produced only in small buds (1.42 g) when the anthers were present. Radioactive 14C sucrose applied to the cut end of the pedicel was translocated rapidly to the anther at harvest, but was not translocated to the anther when abscission was induced by keeping flower buds at 21 °C. Ethylene detected in small flower buds possibly was stimulated by physiological changes resulting from the lack of assimilates available to the anther and the lack of sucrose hydrolysis occurring in the anther. The absence of sucrose hydrolysis in the anther and lack of translocation of sucrose from the filaments to the anther in small buds may be factors that contribute to flower bud abscission in ‘Red Carpet’ lily.

BREEDING ASIATIC HYBRID LILIES: AN ITALIAN EXPERIENCE

Among the most important floricultural crops used as cut flower, lily is very popular in Italy. However, all bulbs are imported from The Netherlands and the cost of the bulbs are high. The imported material has other important constraints, such as how it will perform under the Italian environmental conditions, especially under high temperature conditions. Therefore a breeding program was initiated at CRA-VIV that included classical cross design (diallelic cross), physical agents to induce mutations of Asiatic hybrid lilies. Several interesting clones are now available. The selected clones vary in a number of characters such as: different flowering time, plant size, flower colour, different type of spots, pathogen resistance and pollenless flowers. Some cut flower and pot types are available now for Italian growers.

ETHYLENE AND ANTI-ETHYLENE TECHNOLOGIES IN LILIES

Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that accelerates ripening in many fruits and vegetables, and causes senescence in many ornamentals. Lilies are known to be sensitive to ethylene during plant growth, and previous research has shown that long-term (e.g., many weeks) exposure to as little as 0.05 to 0.1 ppm can lead to stunted plants with no market value. Higher concentrations over shorter periods can also injure growing plants. To better understand ethylene effects in lilies, studies were conducted with two Asiatic hybrid lily cultivars (‘Orange Pixie’ and ‘Pink Pixie’) and L. longiflorum ‘Nellie White’. When hybrid lilies (at visible bud stage or ca. 2 weeks later) were exposed to 0.25 or 0.75 ppm ethylene for 1 to 7 days (20°C, in darkness), no injury occurred with 1 day of exposure, but nearly 100% flower abortion was seen with 4 days exposure. Similar results were seen with ‘Nellie White’ with 1 ppm ethylene. Injury was highly dependent on bud size, with buds less than ca. 3 cm being susceptible to 1 day of ethylene (Asiatic hybrid cultivars) and less than ca. 4 cm (‘Nellie White’). The ethylene perception inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP) was highly effective in protecting plants against ethylene. When applied as a foliar spray, MCP at concentrations of 10-50 mg/L (active ingredient) fully protected plants against a 4-d treatment with exogenous ethylene. Initial results using ethephon (an ethylene releasing chemical) as a potential growth regulator for height control in Oriental hybrid lilies are presented.

Oriental hybrid lily Sorbonne homologue of LhMYB12 regulates anthocyanin biosyntheses in flower tepals and tepal spots

Anthocyanins are the predominant visible pigments in flowers of the Oriental hybrid lily (Lilium spp.). To understand the regulatory mechanisms of flower coloration in this hybrid lily, full-length cDNA of the R2R3-MYB gene, LhSorMYB12, was isolated from anthocyanin-accumulating tepals of the cultivar Sorbonne. The deduced amino acid sequence of LhSorMYB12 showed 85% (209/246) identity, including a gap of seven amino acids, with an amino acid sequence in LhMonMYB12 that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis in the Asiatic hybrid lily. Transcripts of LhSorMYB12 accumulated in anthocyanin-accumulating tepals of three cultivars but not in white tepals of two other cultivars. The white-tepal cultivar Rialto showed LhMYB12 transcription in tepals, but the Rialto sequence contained amino acid replacements in the R2 repeat, resulting in reduced transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and in no pigmentation. Spatial and temporal transcription of LhSorMYB12 showed that transcription of LhMYB12 corresponded well with transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in tepal regions where anthocyanins accumulated and in anthocyanin spots on tepals. These results indicate that LhSorMYB12 definitely regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis and is responsible for the tepal color difference between Oriental hybrid lily cultivars.

Bulblet Regeneration from Tepal Explant in Lily Cultivars

Protocol for bulblet regeneration from tepal segments was developed in Asiatic hybrid lily cultivars. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of ∞-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA). The days for bulblet initiation decreased with the addition of NAA and/or BA in the medium. The bulblets were initiated much earlier (26.9 d) with 1 mg l−1 NAA and 0.5 mg l−1 BA. About 75% of the cultures with 1.2 bulblets per explants were observed in growth regulator-free medium. However, the regeneration response increased to 80.82% with 1.5 mg l−1 NAA and 0.5 mg l−l BA. The number of bulblets per explant and average fresh weight was highest with 1.5 and 1 mg l−1 NAA in combination with 0.5 mg l−1 BA. Among the cultivars, maximum number of bulblets was recorded for ‘Alaska’, whereas heaviest bulblets were observed in ‘Pollyana’. The bulblets attaining the size of 14–16 cm flowered in two and a half years without any phenotypic variations. ...

Analysis of the coat protein gene and untranslated region of RNA3 of Cucumber Mosaic Virus isolates infecting various Lilium species and hybrids: association of the isolate infecting asiatic hybrid lily with subgroup II

The variability in the coat protein gene of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates from various Lilium species and hybrids namely L. longiflorum, L. tigrinum, Asiatic hybrid and Oriental hybrid lilies was studied by sequence comparison of ∼900 bp regions spanning the entire coat protein, intercistronic regions and 3′-UTR. CMV isolate characterised from Asiatic hybrid lily showed the highest homology with subgroup II isolates (94 – 97%), whereas 73 – 76% homology was observed with those belonging to subgroup I. Similarly, another three isolates showed 91 – 98% amino acid sequence homology with subgroup I and 74 – 76% sequence homology with subgroup II. Based on the criteria for classification of CMV isolates all the Indian isolates fall in subgroup I, except the one characterized from Asiatic Hybrid lily which falls into subgroup II. Other lily isolates from world were placed in subgroup II. This is the first case of Asiatic hybrid lily CMV isolate belonging to subgroup II.

Two R2R3-MYB Genes, Homologs of Petunia AN2, Regulate Anthocyanin Biosyntheses in Flower Tepals, Tepal Spots and Leaves of Asiatic Hybrid Lily

Anthocyanins are secondary metabolites that contribute to colors of flowers, fruits and leaves. Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium spp.) accumulates cyanidin anthocyanins in flower tepals, tepal spots and leaves of juvenile shoots. To clarify their mechanisms of regulation of anthocyanin pigmentation, two full-length cDNAs of R2R3-MYB (LhMYB6 and LhMYB12) were isolated from the anthocyanin-accumulating tepals of cultivar 'Montreux'. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences indicated they have homology with petunia AN2, homologous sequences of which had not been isolated in species of monocots. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that LhMYB6 and LhMYB12 interacted with the Lilium hybrid basic helix-loop-helix 2 (LhbHLH2) protein. Transient expression analysis indicated that co-expression of LhMYB6 and LhbHLH2 or LhMYB12 and LhbHLH2, introduced by a microprojectile, activated the transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in lily bulbscales. Spatial and temporal transcription of LhMYB6 and LhMYB12 was analyzed. The expression of LhMYB12 corresponded well with anthocyanin pigmentation in tepals, filaments and styles, and that of LhMYB6 correlated with anthocyanin spots in tepals and light-induced pigmentation in leaves. These results indicate that LhMYB6 and LhMYB12 positively regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis and determine organ- and tissue-specific accumulation of anthocyanin.

Effects of hypoxic and anoxic controlled atmospheres on carbohydrates, organic acids, and fermentation products in Asiatic hybrid lily bulbs

The effects of long-term storage of Lilium bulbs in humidified hypoxic and anoxic controlled atmospheres on the metabolism of carbohydrates, organic acids, and fermentation products in source and sink tissues were investigated. Shoot tissue of intact bulbs exposed to hypoxia accumulated carbohydrates (sucrose and reducing sugars), malate, and lactate, while ethanol accumulated and then gradually declined, compared with those stored in air. Under hypoxia, shoot tissues had lower invertase (Inv) to sucrose synthase (SuSy) and greater pyruvate kinase (PK) to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity ratios than in shoots held in air. Shoot tissues exposed to anoxia were rapidly depleted of carbohydrates, and accumulated succinate and lactate compared with shoots held in air. In anoxia, ethanol rapidly accumulated and stabilized, but did not decline as observed in shoots kept in hypoxia. Shoot tissues under anoxia also had lower Inv to SuSy activity ratios than those in air, but they were not as low as those in hypoxia. PK to PEPC activity ratios initially increased compared with air but then rapidly declined. Scales of intact bulbs accumulated sucrose under hypoxia and showed a decrease in sucrose under anoxia when compared with air storage; however, sucrose stores were not exhausted under anoxia as they were in shoot tissues. Subsequently, scale tissue viability was maintained under anoxia. Scale tissues under hypoxia did not accumulate malate, lactate, and ethanol as did shoot tissues, but accumulated succinate, lactate, and ethanol under anoxia as did shoot tissues. The accumulation of lactate in anoxic scale tissues was lower than in anoxic shoot tissues, and subsequently resulted in a higher succinate to lactate ratio. Differential responses of source and sink tissues to sub-ambient O 2 levels are discussed.

Study of Antioxidant Enzymes Activity during Organogenesis and In Vitro Propagation of Asiatic Hybrid Lily

A protocol for indirect differentiation of shoots / roots from leaf callus of Asiatic hybrid lily was developed through in vitro methods. The involvement of antioxidant enzymes, like, SOD, POX and CAT, and their isoenzymes during organogenesis in the morphogenetic callus was stud ied.The activity of these enzymes was increased during early development and differentiation of callus. SOD activity increased significantly as compared to POX and CAT during root formation, while it decreased in shoot formation and the decrease was significant in POX and CAT enzymes. The results indicate that the organogenesis is a very complicated biological process involving up and down regulation of a number of antioxidant enzymes, which seem to play an important role during organogenesis of Lilium callus.

Flowering and changes in respiration in Asiatic hybrid lilies as influenced by bulb vernalization

Asiatic hybrid lilies, Lilium × elegans Thunb., ‘Red Carpet’ and ‘Sunray’ were used to investigate the effect of bulb vernalization at 2.5 °C on plant growth, flowering, and CO 2 production (respiration), and to use the CO 2 production pattern to monitor the time of flower bud initiation and development. Lily shoot emergence and flowering were accelerated when bulbs received 2.5 °C bulb vernalization; however, flowering was delayed when bulbs were stored at 20 °C before treatment at 2.5 °C; this indicated that bulbs were de-vernalized. The maximum CO 2 level, and the minimum level, reached in 78 h in non-vernalized bulbs and in 110 h in 6 weeks of 2.5 °C (6 weeks/2.5 °C) treated bulbs, was increased as the 2.5 °C duration was increased; this indicated that CO 2 level can be an useful parameter to measure the cold stimulus (i) accumulated in bulbs following bulb vernalization. The respiration rate higher than the predicted values of the best-fit curves derived from the quadratic equations was designated as Blip A and this was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Shoot elongation may follow the rise in carbon dioxide levels after reaching the minimum level. It is proposed that increased carbon dioxide levels higher than the predicted levels (Blip A), was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Measurement of carbon dioxide production upon receipt of bulbs may be a useful technique to provide important information for optimum vernalization treatments for bulbs that have accumulated different levels of low temperature stimulus after bulb vernalization.

Carotenoid composition and changes in expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes in tepals of Asiatic hybrid lily

With 6 figures and 2 tables Abstract To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid accumulation in tepals of Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium spp.), the content and composition of carotenoids and transcriptional changes of carotenoid biosynthetic genes were compared between tepals of yellow, red, pink and white flowers. Yellow and red tepal cultivars accumulated high amounts of carotenoids, and cultivars with pink and white tepals accumulated small amounts of carotenoids. Most of the carotenoids in yellow petals were antheraxanthin, (9Z)-violaxanthin, cis-lutein and violaxanthin. Capsanthin was accumulated in red tepals. Transcription of phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, ζ-carotene desaturase, carotenoid isomerase and β-ring hydroxylase in tepals increased as tepals grew. Among yellow and red tepal cultivars, the amounts of carotenoids were well associated with the transcription levels of biosynthetic genes, indicating that transcription levels regulate carotenoid accumulation in these cultivars. However, in pink and white tepals, the transcription levels of biosynthetic genes were similar to those in red tepals, indicating that small amounts of carotenoids are not explained by down-regulation of biosynthetic genes. Another factor should reduce carotenoid amounts in these tepals.

Light-induced expression of basic helix-loop-helix genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in flowers and leaves of Asiatic hybrid lily

Transcription of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes is usually controlled by transcription factors such as basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and R2R3-MYB. To know the regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation in Asiatic hybrid lily ( Lilium spp.), cDNA clones encoding bHLH transcription factors were isolated from tepals and their expression was examined in this study. This is the first report about cDNAs for bHLH genes among the species in monocots other than Gramineae. Two cDNAs corresponding to LhbHLH1 and LhbHLH2 genes were isolated; the former encoded the protein having the similarity to AmDELILA and PhJAF13 and the latter one did to PhAN1. LhbHLH1 and LhbHLH2 were expressed in tepals, stems and leaves. In filaments and pistils, only LhbHLH2 was transcribed. During tepal development, transcriptions of LhbHLH genes were always detected, and the peak of LhbHLH2 expression preceded the peak of LhDFR expression. When lily buds were exposed to light, anthocyanin accumulation was induced in leaves and peaked at 4 days after light exposure. The transcription of LhbHLH2 peaked at 2 days after light exposure and decreased after that. LhbHLH1 transcription was affected by light to a lesser extent than LhbHLH2 at 2 days. These expressional changes preceded the change of anthocyanin amount. Similarly in tepals, both anthocyanin amount and the transcription of LhDFR and LhbHLH2 decreased in the dark after 6 days, but LhbHLH1 transcription was not affected. These results suggest that LhbHLH1 and LhbHLH2, especially LhbHLH2, are involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, and that response to light exposure was different between LhbHLH1 and LhbHLH2.