Yield and Yield Components of Winter Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Are Affected by Sowing Date and Sowing Rate under Pannonian Climate Conditions

Poppy cultivation has a long tradition in Central Europe. Growing winter poppy instead of the commonly grown spring might increase seed yield, especially face changing climatic conditions. However, knowledge regarding optimum sowing date and rate for under Pannonian climate conditions Europe is missing. Therefore, two-year field experiment was performed Eastern Austria with four dates ranging from early September to mid/end October two rates 50 or 100 mg seeds m−2. Seed yields were considerably higher than values reported throughout all dates, mainly due number capsule−1 and, thereby, yield capsule−1. The highest obtained by October, while earliest latest resulted lower yields. Consequently, but can be over wider range dates. No differences observed between rates. much recommended poppy.