New results of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) breeding for low alkalid content in Hungary

Until the last few years, breeding work of poppy in Hungary has been focused on increasing the production and alkaloid level of the capsules and having a special spectrum of alkaloids for the pharmaceutical processing. Recently, (parallel with the reconstruction of the production system), special cultivars of low alkaloid content are required for food products. Our work was focused on establishing new cultivars fulfilling the criteria of DUS and up-to-date requirements for high yield and quality of seeds, possessing low (below 0.01%) alkaloid level. Beside the practical aims, we wanted to obtain scientific information on the variability of several morphological traits and alkaloid pattern. Reciprocal crossings of 3 cultivars ('Óriás kék', Przemko', Libra') followed by individual plant selection has been done. The majority of F1 strains were not uniform. The registered plant characteristics showed an independent combination with each other, the progenies consisted several new recombinants. Over-dominance has been observed for plant height, number of stigmatic rays, and size of the capsules, although not in each combination. Petal colour is supposed to be of inheritance, however, seed colour shows more complex inheritance, possibly a polygenic one. Maternal effects have been proved for leaf incision, capsule form, anthocyain coloration of calyces. By the selection procedure, morphological homogeneity of some strains increased, while other accessions showed a considerable variability even in the third generation. For morphine, codeine and narcotine, intermediate level of F1 strains were comparable with their parents. In combination 'P' x 'L' and in case of thebaine, however, heterosis effects can be supposed. During selection, a successful lowering of total alkaloid contents could be achieved. In F3 'L' x 'P' crossings, the majority of individuals contained less than 0.001% of total alkaloids. Main compound is morphine.