Identification of candidate genes associated with sex differentiation and determination of gender diphasic plant Lilium apertum (Liliaceae)

•This is the first study to identify sex-biased genes in L. apertum, a gender diphasy plant.•Zeatin biosynthesis were upregulated in hermaphroditic flower, in line with high ZT and n levels.•Several signaling pathways related to PCD were up-regulated in male flower.•N deficiency or/and water loss signaling might participate sex change in L. apertum.