Estimation of genetic variance and allied parameters through biparental mating in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Abstract

Genetic variances and allied genetic parameters were estimated for eight economic traits through biparental mating designs in two populations: (i) a local land race, and (ii) a segregating F2 population of Indian opium poppy. Estimates of additive variance were larger than the dominance variances (o2A > o2D) or environmental variance (+-R > n¦2) for the majority of the eight traits examined. Narrow sense heritability (h2NS) estimates were high (60-89%) for five traits, moderate (28.3%) for peduncle length and low (< 13%) for capsule index and morphine content in the local land race, and high (57-93%) for all the eight characters in the F2 population. Average degree of dominance in the local population leaned heavily towards overdominance (G > 1 .O) for six charcters (four in negative and two in positive directions) and towards partial dominance (G < 1.0) for the remaining two traits: latex yield and flowering time (both in negative direction). Accordingly, combination breeding for latex yield and flowering duration, (F1) hybrid breeding for seed yield, morphine content and capsule number and/or population breeding for other traits, were suggested for rapid genetic improvement of opium poppy.