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The goal of this study was to clarify the role of capsule size and morphology in the alkaloid yield of poppy. In 2023, two industrial varieties from large-scale cultivation were investigated. Three classes of capsule size (large, medium, and small) and four organelles (wall, placenta, disc, and thalamus) of the seedless capsule were studied for their mass proportions and alkaloid contents. In 'Meara', large capsules had 41% lower total alkaloid levels than smaller ones. In 'Morgana', there was no difference in total alkaloids between size groups, but large capsules had higher contents of codeine and thebaine. Among the four organelles, the wall represented the largest mass in both varieties (60–67%), while the disc and the thalamus gave the lowest proportions (below 9%). In the variety 'Meara', the highest alkaloid contents appeared in the wall (2.69% d.w.), followed by the placenta, and the other two parts. 'Morgana' accumulated the highest alkaloid content (3.72% d.w.) in the placenta. Morphine follows the trend of the total content, while codeine and thebaine may differ. Accurate information on the accumulation of alkaloids in the generative organs may contribute to increasing effectiveness in target-oriented breeding and optimization of cultivation with an appropriate choice of variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity and genetic relationship of poppy germplasm resources were explored, which would lay a foundation for genetic breeding research and germplasm fingerprint of poppy. The 13 agronomic traits of 25 poppy resources were measured and analyzed by using the two methods of morphological markers and SRAP molecular markers. The results showed that 11 pairs of primer combinations with obvious polymorphism and clear bands were selected from 12 pairs of SRAP primers. The genomic DNA molecules of the 25 tested materials were amplified, and a total of 210 spectrum bands were amplified, of which 81 were polymorphic bands, and the polymorphism rate was 38.57%. The results of SRAP cluster analysis showed that: the genetic similarity coefficient of 25 poppy materials was 0.907-0.992. The cutting line was made when the similarity coefficient was 0.936, and the 25 tested materials could be divided into 5 categories and several subcategories. The agronomic traits such as flower color and leaf shape of the tested poppy materials were investigated and analyzed. When the euclidean distance was 5.0, all the poppy materials could be divided into 12 categories and several subcategories. In summary, the analysis showed that the genetic diversity of 25 poppy germplasm resources was abundant. The morphological markers and SRAP molecular clustering could be used to study the genetic diversity and genetic relationship of poppy germplasm resources. The results could lay a foundation for the genetic breeding research and germplasm fingerprint of poppy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thebaine is an alkaloid in poppy seeds that is neurotoxic to animals. Data on its clinical effects and toxicokinetics in people are minimal. In 2022, poppy seeds high in thebaine entered the Australian food market, and people consuming tea made from these poppy seeds developed poisoning. Three patients who drank poppy seed tea and developed neuromuscular toxicity consented for thebaine to be quantitated in serial blood samples. Blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Case 1: A man in his 60s presented with drowsiness, vomiting, malaise and myoclonus. He developed metabolic acidosis with hyperlactataemia, acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis, convulsions, rhabdomyolysis, and was in the hospital for 18 days. The admission thebaine blood concentration was 2.1 mg/L, and the apparent elimination half-life was 14.8 h. Case 2: A man in his 30s presented with myoclonus, rigidity, vomiting, and dizziness. He developed metabolic acidosis with hyperlactataemia, acute kidney injury, and myalgias. The admission thebaine blood concentration was 4.1 mg/L, and the apparent elimination half-life was 11.6 h. Case 3: A man in his 30s presented with myoclonus, rigidity, clonus, diaphoresis, and abdominal pain. The admission thebaine blood concentration was 2.2 mg/L, and the apparent elimination half-life was 8.3 h. Neuromuscular toxicity, metabolic acidosis with hyperlactataemia, acute kidney injury, and gastrointestinal symptoms were prominent clinical features in these patients after drinking poppy seed tea. Effects persisted for days, and all survived, despite thebaine concentrations far exceeding those in published forensic reports, although human data are sparse. Compared to rats, the thebaine apparent elimination half-life is much longer in humans who develop symptoms at lower concentrations. Despite relatively high thebaine blood concentrations and moderate to severe poisoning, outcomes were favourable with early presentations. It is possible that acute kidney injury prolongs the apparent elimination half-life of thebaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Academic Journal of Agriculture / Akademik Ziraat Dergisi is the property of University of Ordu, Faculty of Agriculture, Academic Journal of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Opium poppy is one of the most important medicinal plant species cultivated in several regions of the world for pharmaceutical and food purposes. Although it has been bred and used in many countries for centuries, taxonomical studies on the intraspecific variability are still not numerous. In the course of this study, the genetic diversity of 58 opium poppy accessions were assessed with SSR markers. Out of the 25 tested SSR markers, only 19 showed successful amplification and seven were found to reveal polymorphism. These seven markers produced 2–11 alleles within the size range of 144–280 bp. PIC value varied between 0.284 and 0.767, expected heterozygosity was between 0.136 and 1, and observed heterozygosity was between 0.344 and 0.794. Altogether, a low genetic diversity was found, and several accessions have been characterized with the same SSR allele profile. The clustering in the PCoA co-ordinate system indicates four groups, which is confirmed by the STRUCTURE analysis as well and reflects the known relationships of hybrid cultivars in several cases. The landrace taxa clearly deviate from the majority of cultivars selected for industrial purposes. The applied SSR markers were not able to distinguish the genotypes according to their geographic origin or seed color. However, in several cases, the grouping in the PCoA system reflected a diversification connected to alkaloid content and petal color of the accessions. Our results demonstrate the importance of further molecular marker studies focusing on genotypes with different alkaloid content and useful agronomical traits in order to establish more effective breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Academic Food Journal / Akademik GIDA is the property of Sidas Medya Ajans Tanitim Danismanlik Ltd. Sti and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The onychiurid fauna of Australia is revised and found to comprise six species belonging to five genera. All species are already described and are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere so they are considered to be introduced to Australia. For the most part, they are only known in Australia from agricultural and horticultural soils and home gardens as well as worm beds. A dichotomous key to the species is presented together with updated names, relevant synonymies, a brief description of each and comments on their distribution and ecology. The six species separated in the key are Protaphorura fimata (Gisin, 1952), Thalassaphorura encarpata (Denis, 1931), Thalassaphorura cryptopyga (Denis, 1931), Orthonychiurus folsomi (Schäffer, 1900), Deuteraphorura cebennaria (Gisin, 1956) and Onychiurus ambulans (Linnaeus, 1758). A seventh species is listed here but in family Tullbergiidae, Metaphorura affinis (Börner, 1902). It is included as it could be confused with the Onychiurinae in the field. In Australia and overseas, onychiurids have been associated with root damage to plants in home gardens and field crops, and we discuss their pest status using data from assessments of field crop damage in Australia. The aim of this paper is to provide an identification guide to field workers so that they can decide whether control methods are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eikón / Imago is the property of CAPIRE Research Team at Complutense University of Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The poppy seed plant (Papaver somniferum L.) is well known for its health benefits. It contains plenty of nutrients including proteins, oil content, dietary fiber, antioxidants, tocopherols and other micronutrients. It is also under exploration considering its in vitro bioactive potential against various health issues such as hypertension, pain and cancer. Poppy is mainly grown for its opium and oil contents; however, poppy seeds are also widely used for cooking purposes. Poppy seeds contain various essential bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and polyunsaturated fatty acids that can be effectively used as food ingredients in various applications. Poppyseed oil is considered a good quality oil owing to its rich polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Thus, tremendous potential exists in poppy seeds to be used as functional food ingredients and nutraceutical agents in various formulations. Medicinal and functional uses of poppy seed have been discussed, including some aspects of the utilization of the poppy seeds in the food industry. Further research is required to bring out its ingredient potential in food and health supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Economic & Social Research is the property of Abant Izzet Baysal University, Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Physical exercise has many physical, psychological and social health benefits leading to improved life quality. This paper presents a robotic system developed as a personal coach for older adults aiming to motivate older adults to participate in physical activities. The robot instructs the participants, demonstrates the exercises and provides real-time corrective and positive feedback according to the participant's performance as monitored by an RGB-D camera. Two robotic systems based on two different humanoid robots (Nao, toy-like and Poppy, mechanical-like) were developed and implemented using the Python programming language. Experimental studies with 32 older adults were conducted, to determine the preferable mode and timing of the feedback provided to the user to accommodate user preferences, motivate the users and improve their interaction with the system. Additionally, user preferences with regards to the two different humanoid robots used were explored. The results revealed that the system motivated the older adults to engage more in physical exercises. The type and timing of feedback influenced this engagement. Most of these older adults also perceived the system as very useful, easy to use, had a positive attitude towards the system and noted their intention to use it. Most users preferred the more mechanical looking robot (Poppy) over the toy-like robot (Nao). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Asia Minor Studies is the property of Asia Minor Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to investigate the proportions of morphine, thebaine, noscapine, codeine, oripavine and papaverine alkaloids in poppy varieties and hybrids. Nine parents and 36 hybrid lines were used in the trial. The trial was carried out in 2016 and 2017 in four replications according to the Randomized Block Trial Design. According to the average results of the two years, in parent and hybrid combinations, morphine was found to vary between 0.42% and 1.66%, thebaine between 0.01% and 0.53%, noscapine between 0.01% and 0.31%, codeine between 0.03% and 0.17%, oripavine between 0.00% and 0.12% and papaverine between 0.00% and 0.10%. In the study, Ofis NM x Ofis 1, Ofis 1 x TMO T, Ofis 2 x TMO T, Ofis NM x Ofis 1, Ofis NM x TMO T hybrid combinations were identified as superior hybrids compared to the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine herbaceous plant species were tested for susceptibility to Plum pox virus (PPV) by Agrobacterium-mediated delivery of its infectious cDNA clone. Two of them became infected, namely spinach (local infection) and oilseed poppy (systemic infection). As a control, PPV infection was successfully established in plum seedlings following agroinfiltration, thus providing the first report of agroinfection in Prunus species. According to our results, oilseed poppy can be considered as a candidate host for the production of edible vaccines by a PPV-derived expression vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaloid concentration, which represents the quality of industrial poppy, needs to be estimated in a spatially explicit manner to predict the value of crop prior to harvesting. Current practice is to estimate alkaloid concentration using destructive sampling and laboratory analysis. However, in order to estimate the value of the whole crop, a method that could predict alkaloid concentration in field conditions prior to harvesting is needed. In this study, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) with multispectral imaging was tested for estimation of alkaloid concentration of a poppy crop before harvest, which was sown for pharmaceutical purposes in Tasmania, Australia. This study presents the result of a random forest (RF) regression analysis to evaluate the contribution and predictive ability of spectral and structural variables derived from the images. It was found that UAS imagery with an RF model has the potential to estimate thebaine (paramorphine) concentration well before harvesting and without laboratory analysis. It was found that an RF model with the combination of MSAVI, mSR, OSAVI, NDVI and EVI spectral indices can provide optimal results to estimate thebaine with a relative error of 13.56% to 22.36% with training and validation datasets, respectively. The thebaine concentration predicted using the proposed RF model was strongly correlated to the laboratory-measured thebaine concentration, with an R2 value ranging from 0.63 to 0.82 for the training and validation datasets, respectively. These results indicate that poppy thebaine concentration can be estimated with reasonable accuracy 3 weeks prior to harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of agricultural crops with the help of remote and proximal sensors during the growing season plays important role for site-specific management decisions. Winter wheat, winter rape and poppy are representatives of typical agricultural crops from the family Poacea, Brassicaceae and Papaveraceae, growing in relative dry area of Rakovn'k district in the Czech Republic. Ten Sentinel 2 satellite images acquired during vegetation season of the crops were downloaded and processed. Crops were monitored with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) equipped with consumer grade Red Green Blue (RGB) camera and multispectral (MS) MicaSense RedEdge MX camera. In-field variability was assessed by computing RGB-based vegetation indices Triangular Greenness Index (TGI), Green Leaf Index (GLI) and Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI) and commonly used vegetation indices as Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Green NDVI (GNDVI). The results derived from satellite and UAV images were supported with in-situ measurements of hand-held GreenSeeker and Chlorophyll Meter Content sensors. The study showed the usability of individual vegetation indices, especially the TGI index for chlorophyll content estimation, and VARI index for green vegetation fraction detection and leaf area index estimation, in comparison with selected handheld devices. The results showed as well that leaf properties and canopy structure of typical characteristics of selected families can significantly influence the spectral response of the crops detected in different phenological stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine suitable opium poppy hybrids over mid parent, better parent and standart check levels in alkaloid ratios. In the study, 36 hybrids were evaluated derived from nine varieties. The experiment was carried out in four replications in randomized block design in 2016 and 2017. Heterosis over mid parent values ranged from -4.91% to 65.43% for morphine, -76.91% to 278.05% for thebaine, -68.97% to 180.91% for noscapine, -53.60% to 150.45% for codeine, -93.55% to 289.61% for oripavine and -78.69% to 285.94% for papaverine. In the result study of 34 crosses recorded positive heterosis over mid parent for morphine content followed by 24 for thebaine, 23 for noscapine, 26 for codeine, 22 for oripavine and 15 for papaverine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomy Journal / Agronomski Glasnik (0002-1954) is the property of Croatian Society of Agronomists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

DreamWorks's animated children's film Trolls (Mike Mitchell & Walt Dohrn, 2016) is a singular fairy tale, inspired by the Good Luck Trolls designed in 1950s Denmark by Thomas Dam. Trolls not only invents a fairy-tale plot (with songs) for the popular dolls but also thoroughly re-conceptualizes their original appearance. The central character, Princess Poppy is, indeed, cuteness personified. She is also one of the most positive, resilient female characters in recent cinema of any type. Her double mission of helping her depressed friend Branch to regain his true colors and of teaching the monstrous Bergens to enjoy happiness-- and stop eating her fellow trolls--succeeds because Poppy is supremely confident that she can succeed. Her cheerfulness and optimism give Poppy a high value as a role model, especially because she aims at securing her community's welfare rather than her personal fulfilment, unlike most fairytale princesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baghdad Science Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: The issue of cross‐ or multiple resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and the auxinic herbicide 2,4‐D was investigated in Papaver rhoeas L., a common and troublesome weed in winter cereals, in a broad‐scale study across four European countries. A combination of herbicide sensitivity bioassays and molecular assays targeting mutations involved in resistance was conducted on 27 populations of P. rhoeas originating from Greece (9), Italy (5), France (10) and Spain (3). Plants resistant to the field rate of 2,4‐D were observed in 25 of the 27 populations assayed, in frequencies ranging from 5% to 85%. Plants resistant to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (sulfonylureas) were present in 24 of the 27 populations, in frequencies ranging from 4% to 100%. Plants resistant to 2,4‐D co‐occurred with plants resistant to sulfonylureas in 23 populations. In four of these, the probability of presence of plants with cross‐ or multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and sulfonylureas was higher than 0.5. ALS genotyping of plants from the field populations or of their progenies, identified ALS alleles carrying a mutation at codon Pro197 or Trp574 in 2,4‐D‐sensitive and in 2,4‐D‐resistant plants. The latter case confirmed multiple resistance to 2,4‐D and ALS inhibitors at the level of individual plants in all four countries investigated. This study is the first to identify individual plants with multiple resistance in P. rhoeas, an attribute rarely assessed in other weed species, but one with significant implications in designing chemical control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Guihaia is the property of Guihaia Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since ancient times, opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is known for its medicinal properties, related to its secondary metabolite content. Its most important secondary metabolites, called benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), are still essential in pharmaceutical field. Few of them, like morphine, have specific clinical application but also effects on CNS. Not all poppy cultivars are able to biosynthesize morphine in high amount, making this plant useful for other purposes like food uses. For this reason it is crucial to deeply understand the origin of poppy, its possible use and have a deep knowledge of the BIA biosynthesis. These aspects are crucial for the final use of P. somniferum. This review aims to summarize the state-of-the-art on its taxonomy and origin beside its uses and BIA biosynthetic pathways, its most important metabolites. The review focuses on conflicting or unsolved questions about enzymatic localization, role of different plant organs in the biosynthesis, and storage and external conditions that influence the alkaloid production, highlighting the significant involvement of transcription factors. Behind this review, there is the firm belief that only a deep knowledge of alkaloid biosynthetic processes could lead to the characterization of undefined step and to the development of engineering cultivars optimizing the potential uses of P. somniferum. The goal is answer in more sustainable way to ever-increasing worldwide request of such products, in particular morphine and derivates, obtaining high morphine content cultivars useful for pharmaceutical market or no morphine producing cultivars appreciated as food. Devising cultivars with different BIA content could lead to decrease, or even avoid, illicit use and illegal extraction, confining only low alkaloid content cultivars to consumers market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 4 August 2014, the now iconic evolving work by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, opened at the Tower of London. Each of the 888,246 poppies in the Tower's moat represented one British life lost in the First World War (FWW). This article uses a unique dataset of 1488 responses to the installation in order to probe the impacts of this high profile intervention. Systematic analysis of that data allows us to explore the centenary as a catalyst for remembrance activity, focusing on the kinds of “unthinking remembrance” that our research made visible. We detail how visitor responses activated a series of familiar tropes about past conflict, which often neglected recent work that has attempted to diversify perspectives about the past. This calls into question the extent to which policy objectives associated with pluralising narratives about the FWW during this centenary had been successful at this early stage in the commemoration and are likely to be successful in the future. As the “cult of the centenary” becomes ever more embedded within education and policy frameworks, and refracted within the programming of national media and cultural organisations, we contend that much can be learned about how to usefully frame commemorative activities from the unprecedented case of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary lipids can suppress methane emission from ruminants, but effects are variable. Especially the role of bacteria, archaea, fungi and protozoa in mediating the lipid effects is unclear. In the present in vitro study, archaea, fungi and protozoa were selectively inhibited by specific agents. This was fully or almost fully successful for fungi and protozoa as well as archaeal activity as determined by themethyl-coenzyme Mreductase alpha subunit gene. Five different microbial treatments were generated: rumen fluid being intact (I), without archaea (-A), without fungi (-F), without protozoa (-P) and with bacteria only (-AFP). A forage-concentrate diet given alone or supplemented with crushed full-fat oilseeds of either safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) or poppy (Papaver somniferum) or camelina (Camelina sativa) at 70 g oil kg-1 diet dry matter was incubated. This added up to 20 treatments with six incubation runs per treatment. All oilseeds suppressed methane emission compared to the non-supplemented control. Compared to the non-supplemented control, -F decreased organic matter (OM) degradation, and short-chain fatty acid concentration was greater with camelina and safflower seeds. Methane suppression per OM digested in -F was greater with camelina seeds (-12 vs.-7% with I, P = 0.06), but smaller with poppy seeds (-4 vs. -8% with I, P = 0.03), and not affected with safflower seeds. With -P, camelina seeds decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio and enhanced the methane suppression per gram dry matter (18 vs. 10% with I, P = 0.08). Hydrogen recovery was improved with -P in any oilseeds compared to non-supplemented control. No methane emission was detected with the -A and -AFP treatments. In conclusion, concerning methanogenesis, camelina seeds seemto exert effects only on archaea and bacteria. By contrast, with safflower and poppy seeds methane was obviously reduced mainly through the interaction with protozoa or archaea associated with protozoa. This demonstrated that the microbial groups differ in their contribution to the methane suppressing effect dependent on the source of lipid. These findings help to understand how lipid supplementation and microbial groups interact, and thus may assist in making this methane mitigation tool more efficient, but await confirmation in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeophytes are the component of segetal plant communities, and ensure biodiversity in arable field margins. Unfortunately, the number of these species decreased in the last decades because of the changing structure of agricultural production and increasing chemical application. In this study, the fertilizer sensitivity of three archaeophyte species was characterized using germination test, outdoor observation and proline content measurement. Papaver rhoeas had the most favourable germination parameters with promptness indices (1.5-14.0) and germination rates (0.39-0.81) decreasing with the concentration of fertilizer. On the other hand, mean germination time (7.32-10.03 days) decreased with elevated fertilizer concentration. Consolida regalis was characterized by the weakest development in laboratory. Slow early development was detected in case of Cyanus segetum (promptness index: 0.25-1.75; mean germination time: 12-13 days). Co. regalis responded to fertilization with higher blooming intensity. The proline accumulation indicated pronounced salt sensitivity of Cy. segetum (0.49-0.54 mg/100 mg), which could be one reason of the disappearance of this species from fields under cultivation. Our results suggest that at least Co. regalis and Cy. segetum are highly sensitive to mineral fertilizers and hence natural protection techniques for example arable weed margins must be widely used to block the disappearance of those species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate poppy plant height and capsule volume with remote sensing using an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Data were obtained from field measurements and UAS flights over two poppy crops at Cambridge and Cressy in Tasmania. Imagery acquired from the UAS was used to produce dense point clouds using structure from motion (SfM) and multi-view stereopsis (MVS) techniques. Dense point clouds were used to generate a digital surface model (DSM) and orthophoto mosaic. An RGB index was derived from the orthophoto to extract the bare ground spaces. This bare ground space mask was used to filter the points on the ground, and a digital terrain model (DTM) was interpolated from these points. Plant height values were estimated by subtracting the DSM and DTM to generate a Crop Height Model (CHM). UAS-derived plant height (PH) and field measured PH in Cambridge were strongly correlated with R2 values ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 for Transect 1 and Transect 2, respectively, while at Cressy results from a single flight provided R2 of 0.97. Therefore, the proposed method can be considered an important step towards crop surface model (CSM) generation from a single UAS flight in situations where a bare ground DTM is unavailable. High correlations were found between UAS-derived PH and poppy capsule volume (CV) at capsule formation stage (R2 0.74), with relative error of 19.62%. Results illustrate that plant height can be reliably estimated for poppy crops based on a single UAS flight and can be used to predict opium capsule volume at capsule formation stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Salvia hispanica L., Nigella sativa L. and Papaver somniferum L. are involved in opiate-dependent behavior. It is known that the seeds of these three herbs contain high amounts of antioxidants, which are helpful in disease prevention, but further research is needed on some of their other phytochemical components (terpene alkaloids, benzoquinones and others), which are claimed to affect human opioid receptors. Methods: Seeds from the three afore mentioned plants have been studied by ATR-FTIR vibrational spectroscopy and thermo analytical techniques (TG/DTG, DTA and DSC). Results: The infrared spectrum has confirmed the presence of the ester carbonyl of terpenoid alkaloids (such as nigellamine) and the fully conjugated cyclic dione structure of quinones (e.g., thymoquinone). As regards the thermal stability of these seeds, small differences have been observed in their thermal profiles (endothermic effects at around 333ºC for chia, 268ºC for black cumin and 319ºC for poppy seeds), which can be ascribed to their different content in carbohydrates. Conclusions: The functional groups of the main active constituents and the thermal behavior of these three seeds have been elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal for Languages & Literatures of the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad / Zbornik za Jezike i Knjizevnosti Filozofskog Fakulteta u Novom Sadu is the property of Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Faculty of Gaziosmanpasa University / Gazi Osman Pasa Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Gaziosmanpasa University, Agricultural Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Przyrodniczego we Wrocawiu: Rolnictwo is the property of Wroclaw University of Environmental & Life Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plant species differ in their ability to transform available resources to biomass and to respond in a plastic way to environmental circumstances; we hypothesized that such differences among four weed taxa of Papaver would explain differences in their competitive response. We first compared two populations each of Papaver rhoeas L. , P. dubium L. ssp. dubium, P. dubium L. ssp. lecoqii ( Lamotte) Syme and P. argemone L., grown in a greenhouse for 6 weeks in a nutrient gradient combined with two light treatments to elucidate possible differences in responses. As there were clear differences, a second experiment evaluated whether these differences also meant differences in competitive response, during early growth, when tested against two crops (wheat, rape). The assumption that competitive response was linked to the ability to transform nutrient and light to biomass was not supported: even though differences in extent of plasticity existed, the effect of competition was similar for the taxa. Thus, higher plasticity and ability to transform available recourses to biomass did not lead to stronger competitiveness for Papaver during early growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licit narcotics production in Australia is based on the cultivation of a poppy crop restricted to Tasmania under local, national, and international regulation. Its legal geographical analysis is advanced by drawing on the thinking about 'the nomosphere' and 'topology' developed by David Delaney and John Allen, respectively. Australia continues to lead global production of licit narcotics as distinct new entities, relationships, and capacities have been enabled by differentiating between the constituent alkaloids morphine and thebaine with a loophole identified in US legislation of the 80/20 rule. Nomospheric and topological lenses are used to focus on the intensive, emergent qualities of the industry in addition to the traditional topography revealed in its scalar, networked territorialisation. A renewed understanding of the spatial workings and power plays relevant can inform possible transformation around narcotics production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afghanistan is responsible for the majority of the world's supply of poppy crops, which are often used to produce illegal narcotics like heroin. This paper presents an agent-based model that simulates policy scenarios to characterize how the production of poppy can be dampened and replaced with licit crops over time. The model is initialized with spatial data, including transportation network and satellite-derived land use data. Parameters representing national subsidies, insurgent influence, and trafficking blockades are varied to represent different conditions that might encourage or discourage poppy agriculture. Our model shows that boundary-level interventions, such as targeted trafficking blockades at border locations, are critical in reducing the attractiveness of growing this illicit crop. The principle of least effort implies that interventions decrease to a minimal non-regressive point, leading to the prediction that increases in insurgency or other changes are likely to lead to worsening conditions, and improvements require substantial jumps in intervention resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first report on the phenomenon of syncyte manifestation through cytomictic transmigration in Papaver somniferum L. The occurrence characteristics and cytological depictions of cytomixis in the meiotic course of gamma-irradiated population reveal the mechanism leading to the origin of the cell fusions/syncytes. The event was more frequent in meiosis I and rare in meiosis II, indicating that the process atrophies at the end of the first meiotic division. The degree of occurrence of the phenomenon virtually concurred with the increase in the treatment dose of gamma irradiation. The phenomenon also affected the qualitative composition of postmeiotic products, i.e. tetrads and pollen grains. Heterosized pollen grains ranging from large to small size are also reported. In general, the occurrence of large-sized pollens is associated with unreduced gametes/syncytes and is an indication of the production of 2n pollens. Although occurring in low frequency, syncytes could play a decisive role in plant evolution as they can lead to the production of plants with higher ploidy levels. They may have potential applications in germplasm improvement in the sense of diversity and thus should be given more attention in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of chromatin migration was observed during microsporogenesis in an ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) treated population of poppy, which is an important medicinal plant. Cytomixis occurred through a cytoplasmic channel or by direct fusion of pollen mother cells (PMCs); the former was more recurring than the latter. The process was associated with irregular meiosis. PMCs with differing chromosome numbers from the normal diploid number (2n = 22) through cytomixis may lead to the production of aneuploid and polyploid gametes. An increase in the concentration of EMS had a positive effect on the percentage of PMCs showing cytomixis. In addition to cytomixis, other chromosomal abnormalities were also found. Cytomixis along with the related chromosomal abnormalities largely affected the post-meiotic products resulting in some pollen sterility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination by microscopic fungi and mycotoxins in different bee pollen samples, which were stored under three different ways of storing as freezing, drying and UV radiation, was investigated. During spring 2009, 45 samples of bee-collected pollen were gathered from beekeepers who placed their bee colonies on monocultures of sunflower, rape and poppy fields within their flying distance. Bee pollen was collected from bees' legs by special devices placed at the entrance to hives. Samples were examined for the concentration and identification of microscopic fungi able to grow on Malt and Czapek-Dox agar and mycotoxins content [deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), zearalenone (ZON) and total aflatoxins (AFL), fumonisins (FUM), ochratoxins (OTA)] by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The total number of microscopic fungi in this study ranged from 2.98 ± 0.02 in frozen sunflower bee pollen to 4.06 ± 0.10 log cfu.g-1 in sunflower bee pollen after UV radiation. In this study, 449 isolates belonging to 21 fungal species representing 9 genera were found in 45 samples of bee pollen. The total isolates were detected in frozen poppy pollen 29, rape pollen 40, sunflower pollen 80, in dried poppy pollen 12, rape pollen 36, sunflower 78, in poppy pollen after UV radiation treatment 54, rape 59 and sunflower 58. The most frequent isolates of microscopic fungi found in bee pollen samples of all prevalent species were Mucor mucedo (49 isolates), Alternaria alternata (40 isolates), Mucor hiemalis (40 isolates), Aspergillus fumigatus (33 isolates) and Cladosporium cladosporioides (31 isolates). The most frequently found isolates were detected in sunflower bee pollen frozen (80 isolates) and the lowest number of isolates was observed in poppy bee pollen dried (12 isolates). The most prevalent mycotoxin of poppy bee pollen was ZON (361.55 ± 0.26 μg.kg-1), in rape bee pollen T-2 toxin (265.40 ± 0.18 μg.kg-1) and in sunflower bee pollen T-2 toxin (364.72 ± 0.13 μg.kg-1) in all cases in frozen samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonized fruits and seeds from 17 Linearbandkeramik (LBK) sites in central Belgium are discussed. The number of cultivated plants is rather limited, and two cultivated cereals (maybe three with barley), two pulses and two oil plants have been identified. These results agree with those from other LBK sites. The uniformity of plant assemblages within the western LBK territory shows few variations at the regional and inter-regional levels. Gathering evidence seems to be more important west of central Belgium, but it has to be further investigated. Concerning cultivated plants, emmer is dominant west of the river Rhine whereas einkorn seems to have been preferred east of it. Naked barley could have been introduced to the western part of the LBK territory and indicates Mediterranean influence. Opium poppy seeds discovered in LBK sites confirm these influences, but poppy could have been cultivated for the first time by LBK people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In addition to the hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate ester bond in glycerophospholipids, phospholipases D (PLDs) are able to catalyze the exchange of the polar head group. The biocatalytic potential of PLDs strongly depends on the ratio of the transphosphatidylation to hydrolysis rate which, therefore, is an important criterion in the screening for efficient PLDs from natural sources or combinatorial DNA libraries. Here, we present a fast spectrophotometric assay that allows the determination of the rate of both hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation of PLD-containing solutions including cell extracts in one microtiterplate. The assay is based on the reaction of phosphatidylcholine solubilized in Triton X-100 micelles with ethanolamine and the determination of phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline. PA is determined via Fe(III) complexation and represents hydrolysis, while choline is determined by the conventional choline oxidase/peroxidase assay and yields the total conversion. The difference between both values corresponds to the transphosphatidylation product. The method is suitable for measuring reactions rates as well as product yields after defined time periods. As shown for E. coli cells expressing PLD from cabbage, the assay can be applied to extracts of cells grown and lysed in microtiterplates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Tiers Monde is the property of Librairie Armand Colin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed cakes are produced as a by-product of oil pressing and are mostly used as feed. Their use for human consumption is due to the functional properties and benefits for human health. Herein, oilseed cake flours of eight species (flax, hemp, milk thistle, poppy, pumpkin, rapeseed, safflower, sunflower) were sieved into fractions above (A250) and below (B250) 250 µm. The chemical composition, SDS-PAGE profiles, colour, functional properties and antioxidant activities of these flours were evaluated. The B250 fractions were evaluated as being protein and ash rich, reaching crude protein and ash content ranging from 31.78% (milk thistle) to 57.47% (pumpkin) and from 5.0% (flax) to 11.19% (poppy), respectively. A high content of carbohydrates was found in the flours of hemp, milk thistle and safflower with a significant increase for the A250 fraction, with a subsequent relation to a high water holding capacity (WHC) for the A250 fraction (flax, poppy, pumpkin and sunflower). The A250 milk thistle flour was found to have the richest in polyphenols content (TPC) (40.89 mg GAE/g), with the highest antioxidant activity using an ABTS•+ assay (101.95 mg AAE/g). The A250 fraction for all the species exhibited lower lightness than the B250 fraction. The obtained results indicate that sieving oilseed flour with the aim to prepare flours with specific functional characteristics and composition is efficient only in combination with a particular species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demography of the annual dicotyledonous weed Papaver rhoeas and the efficacy of different management practices were studied during three consecutive years in winter cereals in the north-east of Spain. These data were used to estimate the parameters of a weed life cycle model that was used to describe the population dynamics of this species and to predict the effect of various control strategies and integrated weed management (IWM) scenarios. Without control, the annual rate of increase was 40 (λt), and the minimum control level required to maintain the population stable was 99% of the emerged plants. The annual application of post-emergence and/or pre-emergence herbicides did not prevent the growth of the population. Using various cultural control tactics (delayed seeding, harrowing and fallow) resulted in different trends in the overall population depending on the techniques and combinations analysed. Simulations showed that delayed seeding, fallow and pre-emergence herbicides are the best techniques to employ in IWM programmes, always using a combination of these and other more common practices (i.e. post-emergence herbicides). Sensitivity analysis indicated interaction between the parameters and that the model was especially sensitive to seed losses and also to fecundity, seedling survivorship and emergence. The study shows that new strategies should be sought to control these parameters. To develop IWM programmes for P. rhoeas, the combination of two or more control strategies is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is an attractive method for assaying gene function in species that are resistant to conventional genetic approaches. However, VIGS has been shown to be effective in only a few, closely related plant species. Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), a bipartite RNA virus, has a wide host range and so in principle could serve as an efficient vector for VIGS in a diverse array of plant species. Here we show that a vector based on TRV sequences is effective at silencing the endogenous phytoene desaturase ( PapsPDS) gene in Papaver somniferum (opium poppy). We show that this vector does not compromise the growth or reproduction of poppy and the plants did not display viral symptoms. The silencing of PapsPDS resulted in a significant reduction in PapsPDS mRNA and a concomitant photobleached phenotype. The ability to rapidly assay gene function in P. somniferum will be valuable in manipulation of the opiate pathway in this pharmaceutically important species. We suggest that our vacuum infiltration method used to deliver TRV-based vectors into poppy is a promising approach for expanding VIGS to diverse angiosperm species in which traditional delivery methods fail to induce VIGS. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate the utility of TRV-VIGS for probing gene function in a basal eudicot species that is phylogenetically distant from model plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amine oxidase (AO) from 4-d-old seedlings of Papaver somniferum L. ( Papaveraceae) was purified (58-fold) by using ammonium sulphate precipitation and chromatography on Sephadex G-150 and HA-Ultrogel columns. The most readily oxidized substrate was tyramine and other aromatic amines, while aliphatic amines cadaverine and putrescine were oxidized more slowly. Cu chelating and carbonyl reagents are the most effective inhibitors of poppy amine oxidase. Immunoblotting analysis showed cross reactivity of AO protein from poppy seedlings with polyclonal antisera against AO from pea. Obtained Mr value for AO from poppy (83 kDa) corresponds to that of copper AOs (75 – 90 kDa). These results suggest that the amine oxidase from poppy seedlings is a copper containing and tyramine specific AO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]