Effective Induction of Hairy Roots in Persian Poppy (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) Using Sonication Method

Background: Papaver bracteatum Lindl. Commonly known as Iranian poppy is an important medicinal plant due to the presence of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Objective: To evaluate the hairy root culture as a novel method for thebaine production. Methods: To optimize the hairy root culture of P. bracteatum, five strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (ATCC15834, C318, A13, 9453 and A4) were used by means of Sonication-Assisted Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation (SAAT). Results: Strain C318 proved to be more efficient than the other strains to hairy root induction ability. Among different experimental conditions, the highest transformation rate (28.5 %) was observed 4 weeks after inoculation, once the explants were subjected to sonication (45 s) following a heat treatment of 41°C for 5 min. Transgenic status of the hairy roots was confirmed by PCR using rolB specific primers. Conclusion: Strain C318 proved to be more efficient than the other strains to hairy root induction ability. Among different experimental conditions, the highest transformation rate (28.5 %) was observed 4 weeks after inoculation, once the explants were subjected to sonication (45 s) following a heat treatment of 41°C for 5 min. Transgenic status of the hairy roots was confirmed by PCR using rolB specific primers.