gge biplot analysis based on diallel for exploitation of hybrid vigour in opium poppy (papaver somniferum l.)

the diallel cross design is frequently utilized to obtain information on genetic effects, estimates of general and specific combining ability (gca and sca) and to identify promising heterotic combinations as well as heterotic patterns. in the present study, heterotic crosses were identified for specific alkaloids in opium poppy (papaver somniferum l.) following yan’s gge biplot model by use of 5×5 full diallel data. the results obtained through biplot analysis were compared with those obtained through griffing’s to check and confirm the accuracy of yan’s gge biplot model. parents a (papline), b (nb5kr40-7/2-3), and e (58/1) were identified as good general combiners. the crosses b×c, b×e and e×b for morphine, c×d and c×e for narcotine, and a×b, a×c and a×e were identified as heterotic combinations. none of the crosses were found heterotic for codeine and thebaine.