Genetic features of Czech blue poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) revealed by DNA polymorphism

Seeds of Czech poppies used for culinary purposes are frequently mixed with seeds of imported low-quality poppies with higher alkaloid content and poor taste properties. That not only decreases the quality of the product on the market, but it can also represent a potential health hazard for consumers. To prevent such adulteration, the method is needed that could clearly detect the presence of the low-quality poppies in the products on the market and which can also confirm the authenticity of the genetic material for growers. For that reason, length polymorphism of Simple Sequence Repeats was evaluated in the blue and non-blue poppy varieties of Czech and foreign origin. Used markers clearly distinguished 'Czech blue poppy' cultivars from blue poppies of another origin as well as from poppies of non-blue seed colour. We conclude that used markers can be applied to a commodity verification on the market to detect/exclude the presence of other genotypes.