Detection of epistasis in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Abstract

The knowledge of genic interactions in populations, being an utmost concern for any crop improvement programme, has two folds i.e., one their direct contribution to the development of superior populations and the other on the predicted response to the selection. At present, the various biometrical approaches applied for genetical analysis to predict the response to selection, either ignore the contribution of epistasis or often postulate its absence, which in fact is contrary [1-3]. Kearsey and Jinks [4] extended the North Carolina Design III to provide a suitable test for the epistasis and it was further extended by Jinks et. al. [5] and Ketata et. al. [6] for its application to the inbred lines. So far the genetic anayses carried out in opium poppy either ignored or assumed the absence of epistasis, which does not seem plausible. Hence, the present study was undertaken in opium poppy with the objectives - to have the information about the presence or absence of epistasis for morpho-metrical traits and devise the appropriate breeding strategies.