Discriminant function analysis for opium and seed yield in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Abstract

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is an important medicinal plant of pharmacopoel uses. Opium latex and its derivatives are used in different medicines as analgesic, narcotic, sedative, sudorific, hyponitic, antispasmodic, ant diarrhea and cough etc. Genetic improvement in opium and seed yield, component breeding is important and selection based on multiple characters is more beneficial in developing desired plant types. Therefore the present study was made on group of 22 strains of opium poppy to find out variability and suitable selection indices for opium and seed yield. Heritability in broad sense was high for capsule weight/plant, plant height, capsule length, stem diameter and opium yield. The discriminant functions based on single character were less efficient while on the basis of combination it was in general more efficient. The comparison of different functions revealed that capsule weight/plant, capsule length, plant height are major yield component and thus practicing selection for attainment of high opium and seed yield lines, maximum weight age could be given to these characters. The positive association of opium yield and seed yield suggested that by adopting suitable component breeding and selection, a dual-purpose variety (opium and seed yield) may be developed.