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The latex capacity of opium poppy capsules is fixed early in capsule development and is not a major determinant in morphine yield
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 23:08 authored by Tammy HarvestTammy Harvest, Brown, PH, Fist, A, Alistair GracieAlistair Gracie, Gregory, D, Anthony KoutoulisAnthony KoutoulisThis study found that the latex capacity (mg latex mg−1 dry weight capsule) of opium poppy capsules is fixed early in capsule development. Latex capacity, which represents the proportion of the capsule wall allocated to laticifers (specialised cells for latex storage), had peaked in the capsule at 1 week after flowering. In contrast, the morphine content of capsules continued to increase with capsule development until commercial harvest. Morphine content was correlated with capsule mass and total latex mass, but there was no correlation between latex capacity and morphine yield. The most important morphological characteristic in terms of morphine end yield (commercial harvest stage) was capsule mass. The findings of this study demonstrate that although latex yield per plant is a highly heritable morphological characteristic, it may have limited potential for use in a breeding strategy aimed at increasing the morphine yield from capsules.
History
Publication title
Annals of Applied BiologyVolume
154Pagination
251-258ISSN
0003-4746Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Place of publication
UKRights statement
The definitive published version is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/Repository Status
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