Combining ability of opium poppy genotypes over F1 and F2 generations of 8x8 diallel cross

Combining abilities for yield, its component traits and morphine content were examined in opium poppy tounderstand the inheritance pattern of these traits, and to identify genotypes suitable for genetic improvement of yield andmorphine content. The experiment comprising a total of 64 treatments (28 F1+28 F2 and 8 parents) was evaluated in RBD. Theresults showed that most of the traits are governed by non additive gene action however additive gene action is also important.The parents BR-232, BR-245, BR-234 were found to be good general combiners for yield and its related traits and can beutilized in multiple breeding programs. SCA effects in relation to GCA effects of parents showed that most of the crosscombinations with high SCA effects involved high x high, high x low and low x low GCA combiners.