Genetics and Inheritance Pattern of Heterosis in Impact of Genetic Divergence in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferumL.)

Fifty land races were collected from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan in India. 19 genetic stocks were examined for genetic diversity to identify parents for hybridization. Eventually, n2 diallel cross progenies were generated from the five diverse parents. Both additive and non-additive genetic variances were observed. The role of extra-nuclear factors such as cytoplasmic inheritance was very perceptible. The association between heterosis and average divergence was not very distinct. These parents also manifested better combining ability in desirable direction. After field evaluation trials, one recombinant from the heterotic hybrid 1×4 was released as concentrated poppy straw variety CIMAP AJAY in 2011.