Insights into opium poppy (Papaver spp.) genetic diversity from genotyping-by-sequencing analysis

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is one of the world's oldest medicinal plants and a versatile model system to study secondary metabolism. However, our knowledge of its genetic diversity is limited, restricting utilization of the available germplasm for research and crop improvement. We used genotyping-by-sequencing to investigate the level of genetic diversity and population structure in a collection of poppy germplasm consisting of 91 accessions originating in 30 countries of Europe, North Africa, America, and Asia. We identified five genetically distinct subpopulations. Although the accessions were from geographically diverse regions, no strong association was detected between geographic origin and subpopulation at regional and sub-regional levels. However, most accessions obtained from the same country were grouped together as genetically distinct, likely a consequence of the restriction on movement of poppy germplasm. Phylogenetic analysis identified clades that were largely consistent with the subpopulations detected. Clades could be differentiated broadly based on capsule dehiscence, plant stature and seed weight, traits believed to be associated with poppy domestication. Our study determined that the genetically diverse collection was likely composed of both wild and cultivated forms. This has direct implications for germplasm management and utilization of the available diversity for genetic improvement of poppy.

Role of high dilutions in anesthetic recovery in dogs

Introduction: Post-operative period has been associated with risks like depression of cardiorespiratory system, hypothermia etc., especially under influence of anesthesia. Therefore, short anesthetic recovery in important. Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether homeopathic drug Papaver somniferum 30cH can help reducing the duration of post-surgery anesthesia, and whether there is any change in cardiac rhythm and body temperature. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 16 dogs submitted for sterilization surgery in the Veterinary Hospital of University of Santo Amaro. The animals were divided in three groups: Group-I: treated with Papaver 30cH (n=7); Group-II: treated with 10% hydroalcoholic solution (n=5) (positive control); and Group-III: negative controls (who did not take anything)(n=4). Four drops of drug/placebo were given per os, immediately after the surgery, repeated every 15 min until dog became conscious. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA followed by the Tuckey Krammer Test, p ≤0.05 being significant. Results: The results showed that animals treated with Papaver returned from anesthesia (20 ± 2.80 minutes) faster than the hydroalcoholic group (34±6.49 minutes), p≤0.05. No statistical difference was seen between the positive and negative control. There was no statistical difference between the groups in cardiorespiratory and temperature parameters. Discussion: Other studies have shown similar effects using Veratrum album. The Papaver somniferum has remarkable pharmacological action in bradycardia, bradypnea, respiratory smooth muscle, with sedative and analgesic properties. Conclusion: The Papaver somniferum 30cH may be considered as a medicinal aid in the shortening the post-surgical anesthesia time, however more studies are needed to establish this observation.

Germination and seedlings growth of domestic poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) regarding salinity and temperatures

In this research there were studied the effects of NaCl-induced salinity and environment temperatures on germination and seedlings growth of domestic poppy. The study was conducted in the controlled conditions in the plant growth chamber. There were applied different concentrations of NaCl (0 mM (control), 50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM) and environment temperatures (10°C, 15°C and 20°C). The 50 seeds of domestic poppy cultivar (Detkovac) were sown in 4 replicates on the filter paper. The germination energy was determined on the 5th day and total germination rate and seedlings morphological characteristic were determined on the 10th day. At the 5th day germination energy was on average 28%. It was interesting to note that at the 10°C there were no germinated seeds after 5 days at all salinity treatments and also, at the salinity level of 150 mM NaCl at every temperature. The average germination rate (on 10th day) of domestic poppy seeds were 52% and it varied from 30% (150 mM NaCl and 20°C) to 90% (0 mM NaCl and 15°C). Different salinity of water solution had a very significant (p<0.01) influence on stem, root and total length (cm) of seedlings. The average root length was 1.3 cm and it varied from 0.9 cm (100 mM NaCl) to 1.8 cm (0 NaCl). The average stem length was 1.8 cm. The longest stem was found at control (2.7 cm), and between 50 and 100 mM of NaCl the difference was not significant and stem length averaged 1.4 to 1.3 cm depending on the temperature. Average total poppy seedlings length of this study was 3.0 cm and it varied from 4.5 cm at the control to 2.3 cm at 100 mM NaCl. With regard to temperatures, there was no significant differences found in root and total length of poppy seedlings, but the differences were very significant (p<0.01) for stem length. The longest poppy seedlings were measured at 20°C and 0 mM NaCl (4.9 cm), while at 10°C and at 0 or 50 mM NaCl, seedlings were less than 0.1 cm. Seeds were not germinating at all on 10°C on both, 100 and 150 mM NaCl. Generally, salinity reduced germination energy and germination rate and seedlings length. Results may indicate that seeds are mainly affected by osmotic stress and therefore it is not recommended to cultivate poppies on soils with excess salts

El cultivo legal de adormidera en España: regulación jurídica, características de la empresa concesionaria y naturaleza de la producción

En el presente artículo analizo la producción legal de adormidera (Papaver somniferum L.) en España. En primer lugar, reviso la legislación histórica sobre la materia, caracterizada por la ortodoxia respecto al régimen internacional y la consiguiente imbricación entre las decisiones a ese nivel y el nacional. Posteriormente, describo el cultivo del estupefaciente, un producto estratégico y en la tradición del estanco, y caracterizo Alcaliber, la empresa concesionaria durante décadas. Finalmente, ordeno la información de fuentes abiertas sobre licencias, hectáreas y control en las cadenas de cultivo y recolección, datos antes dispersos, debido al secretismo selectivo con que España y la concesionaria abordan el cultivo legal de adormidera.