ABSTRACT
Although the gene centre of the opium poppy is identified as the Near East and Middle Asia, the plant can be successfully grown in such diverse areas as most parts of Europe, Asia, North and East Africa, South America, Australia, etc. In tropical countries the plant is mainly cultivated for its opium (Singh, 1982). The seed, which is considered to be a by-product, is also utilized in cooking and is considered to be a good source of oil and protein.
