Performance of Exotic × Indigenous Crosses for Combining Ability over Environment in Opium Poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.). III. Husk Yield

Combining ability analysis of husk yield from 50 F₁ crosses of pooled data revealed that nonadditive genetic variance was more important than the corresponding additive genetic variance in all analyses. Year effects were pronounced in pooled analysis and σ²gca × year interaction was nonsignificant, while σ² sca × year interaction was significant. Varieties EC 11547, EC 11569, EC 11571, Kali Dandi, Kantia Pink and Dhola Chotta Gotia were good combiners as well as good husk producers. Crosses EC 11548 × Kali Dandi, EC 11556 × Kali Dandi, and EC 11551 × Kantia Pink were the best specific combinations with high sca effects, heterosis, and mean performance in the F₁ and F₂ generations. Single plant selection after inter se mating in segregating generation would he the best way to improve this trait, as nonadditive genetic variance was important in the crosses. Pedigree method would be a better alternative approach in some crosses, e.g. EC 11540 × Dhola Cnotta Gotia, EC 11540 × Kali Dandi, and EC 11547 × Kantia Pink, where additive genetic variance was more important.