Results of Oilseed Poppy Breeding and Production Potential of New Varieties

Breeding of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) for food use of poppy seeds has a long tradition in Slovakia. Conventional breeding methods have brought several successes in the form of registration of new varieties with better yield parameters. In the breeding process, the methods of crossing and selection of offspring were used. In the years 2016–2018, the testing of selected poppy seeds was performed at the Central Control and Testing Institute in Agriculture with the aim to register new varieties. Testing was carried out according to the valid methodology in five localities of the Slovak Republic. The experiments were based on the block method on plots with an area of 10 m2 in four replications. The obtained poppy seed yield and empty dry capsules were compared to the parameters of standard—control varieties (‘Opal’ and ‘Major’). In the year 2019, four new food poppy varieties—‘Azurit’, ‘MS Diamant’, ‘MS Topas’, and ‘MS Zafir’—were registered. On average, the obtained poppy seed yield during three years from five experimental localities ranged from 1.77 t·ha−1 ± 0.16 (‘Azurit’) to 1.90 t·ha−1 ± 0.17 (‘MS Diamant’). For comparison, the average yield of control varieties was 1.76 t·ha−1 ± 0.12. An important additional indication in evaluation of the variety economic value is the yield of empty dry capsules. This ranged from 0.98 t·ha−1 ± 0.12 and 0.98 t·ha−1 ± 0.09 (‘Azurit’ and ‘MS Diamant’, respectively) to 1.09 t·ha−1 ± 0.21 and 1.09 t·ha−1 ± 0.16 (‘MS Topas’ and ‘MS Zafir’, respectively). The average dry capsule yield of control varieties was 0.93 t·ha−1 ± 0.13. Statistical evaluation by analysis of variance did not reveal significant differences in seed yield between the tested and control varieties (p = 0.661). The difference was significant in the yield of dry capsules (p = 0.048). The locality had a statistically significant effect on the yield of seeds and capsules (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference on the yield of seeds (p = 0.050) and capsules (p < 0.001) was also found in the experimental year. New poppy varieties showed a generally higher seed yield potential compared to standard varieties. Based on the knowledge on soil and climatic conditions of individual experimental localities and test years, it is possible to choose a suitable variety for specific growing conditions in order to be able to maximize its genetic potential.