Haploid plant obtaining through androgenesis in registered poppy varieties (Papaver somniferum L.)

Poppy (Papaver somniferum L., 2n=22) is an important plant species used in agriculture, medicine, industry and commerce. There are many benzylisoquinoline-type alkaloids found in poppy capsules, particularly the narcotic morphine, the antitussive codeine, and the muscle relaxant papaverine. It is thought that one of the most important factors affecting success in anther culture is genotype. The aim of this study was to obtain dihaploid plants from 18 local poppy varieties. A total of 8100 anthers were cultured for dihaploidization. However, 0.03% anthers belonging to Office-95 variety induced spontaneous dihaploid plants under 16-hour light photoperiod. Rest of the plants showed necrosis. The results obtained from the ploidy analyzer confirmed the chromosome number of 2n = 22 in dihaploid plants. Our reserch has shown that dihaploid plant production in poppy is genotype specific. This study constitutes an important basis for future studies in this field.