Determination of agronomic parameters in the biological cultivation of the low morphine poppy variety ’Zeno Morphex’

Abstract

Experience in the biological cultivation of poppy in Germany, especially when sown in autumn, is small. That is why research is needed concerning yield stability, weed management and nutrition and is the reason for this study that deals with different seeding dates and varying nitrogen nutrition and their effects on plant development and yield. The chosen fertilizer was horn meal in small (0-1 mm) and coarse grained (4-7 mm) particle sizes. Both were applied either with 30 kg N ha^-1 or 80 kg ha^-1. Plant height of the first seeding date (S1) was highest for the variety that received 80 kg N ha^-1 small grained horn meal (Final heigt on 22.06.18: 123,2 cm, p<0.05). No continuously significant influence of the N-fertilization was determined for plants sown on the second seeding date (S2). These tendencies are also shown in the data of dry matter and leaf area index. Until midth of May significant differences in plant height due to seeding date could be seen in all fertilization varieties. In the following months height converged to similar levels, an exception made the varieties fertilized with 80 kg ha^-1 of horn meal. Seeding date also had an influence on dry matter that was significantly higher for the early sown plants until the midth of April (Variety 80 kg N ha-1: 7,22 g m-² (S1) & 2,08 g m-² (S2) on March 28th 2018). Concerning the agronomic parameters of plant development tendencies are shown towards an advantage of high N-fertilization in the form of horn meal. Including yield data will probably reveal further effects.