tpsmc
Well-Known Member
So this was taken right from this Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicine
Botanical use
Since chromosome segregation is driven by microtubules, colchicine is also used for inducing polyploidy in plant cells during cellular division by inhibiting chromosome segregation during meiosis; half the resulting gametes therefore contain no chromosomes, while the other half contain double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e., diploid instead of haploid as gametes usually are), and lead to embryos with double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e. tetraploid instead of diploid). While this would be fatal in animal cells, in plant cells it is not only usually well tolerated, but in fact frequently results in plants which are larger, hardier, faster growing, and in general more desirable than the normally diploid parents; for this reason, this type of genetic manipulation is frequently used in breeding plants commercially.
When such a tetraploid plant is crossed with a diploid plant, the triploid offspring will usually be sterile (unable to produce fertile seeds or spores), although many triploids can be propagated vegetatively. Growers of annual triploid plants not readily propagated must buy fresh seed from a supplier each year. Many sterile triploid plants, including some tree and shrubs, are becoming increasingly valued in horticulture and landscaping because they do not become invasive species. In certain species, colchicine-induced triploidy has been used to create "seedless" fruit, such as seedless watermelons (Citrullus lanatus). Since most triploids do not produce pollen themselves, such plants usually require cross-pollination with a diploid parent to induce fruit production.
The studies of H. E. Warmke et al. (1942-1944) seem to indicate that colchicine raised drug levels in Cannabis. It is unfortunate that Warmke was unaware of the actual psychoactive ingredients of Cannabis and was therefore unable to extract THC. His crude acetone extract and archaic techniques of bioassay using killifish and small freshwater crustaceans are far from conclusive. He was, however, able to produce both triploid and tetraploid strains of Cannabis with up to twice the potency of dip bid strains (in their ability to kill small aquatic organisms).
So if this is being used commercially to produce bigger better plants why is this the first I am hearing of it. Anyone else out there using this? If so, what have been your results and application methods.
I would be very interested in incorporating this into an true-breeding strain then back crossing it to lock in the polyploid traits, but it says they are usually sterile offspring. So does usually mean 1 out of 10, 100, 10,000? It very well may be worth the time to find that offsping that is not sterile and can pass on these traits.
Botanical use
Since chromosome segregation is driven by microtubules, colchicine is also used for inducing polyploidy in plant cells during cellular division by inhibiting chromosome segregation during meiosis; half the resulting gametes therefore contain no chromosomes, while the other half contain double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e., diploid instead of haploid as gametes usually are), and lead to embryos with double the usual number of chromosomes (i.e. tetraploid instead of diploid). While this would be fatal in animal cells, in plant cells it is not only usually well tolerated, but in fact frequently results in plants which are larger, hardier, faster growing, and in general more desirable than the normally diploid parents; for this reason, this type of genetic manipulation is frequently used in breeding plants commercially.
When such a tetraploid plant is crossed with a diploid plant, the triploid offspring will usually be sterile (unable to produce fertile seeds or spores), although many triploids can be propagated vegetatively. Growers of annual triploid plants not readily propagated must buy fresh seed from a supplier each year. Many sterile triploid plants, including some tree and shrubs, are becoming increasingly valued in horticulture and landscaping because they do not become invasive species. In certain species, colchicine-induced triploidy has been used to create "seedless" fruit, such as seedless watermelons (Citrullus lanatus). Since most triploids do not produce pollen themselves, such plants usually require cross-pollination with a diploid parent to induce fruit production.
The studies of H. E. Warmke et al. (1942-1944) seem to indicate that colchicine raised drug levels in Cannabis. It is unfortunate that Warmke was unaware of the actual psychoactive ingredients of Cannabis and was therefore unable to extract THC. His crude acetone extract and archaic techniques of bioassay using killifish and small freshwater crustaceans are far from conclusive. He was, however, able to produce both triploid and tetraploid strains of Cannabis with up to twice the potency of dip bid strains (in their ability to kill small aquatic organisms).
So if this is being used commercially to produce bigger better plants why is this the first I am hearing of it. Anyone else out there using this? If so, what have been your results and application methods.
I would be very interested in incorporating this into an true-breeding strain then back crossing it to lock in the polyploid traits, but it says they are usually sterile offspring. So does usually mean 1 out of 10, 100, 10,000? It very well may be worth the time to find that offsping that is not sterile and can pass on these traits.
Not so sure I want to go ordering this from china and have to deal with customs and ordering this stuff by the metric ton. It does not appear to be a regulated chemical however it is highly toxic to mammals. Does anyone know of a supplier in the US that will sell to hobbyist gardeners?
(TMNT). Despite this, this chemical is used on many of the fruits and vegetables you consume it is used to create seedless oranges and seedless watermelon. I would love to soak a few seeds in it and see what pops, since those seedlings are supposed to be bigger, better, stronger, and sterile you would think every seed company would be treating their seeds with this, if not for the superior results but for the repeat business.