Abstract
The negative effects of agricultural drought are particularly pronounced in spring crops, which are generally less tolerant to dry periods. One such crop frequently affected by drought is poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Hydrogels enriched with fertilizer represent a promising technology to enhance water availability for plants and improve nutrient uptake from applied fertilizers. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of standard fertilizer (NPKS), a natural-based (NHA) hydrogel, a synthetic hydrogel (SAP), and both hydrogels enriched with fertilizer (NHA-NPKS and SAP-NPKS) on culinary poppy yield, the agronomic efficiency of N fertilization (AE(N)) and soil microbial activity. Each treatment was applied in two dosages (I and II). Results from a three-year field experiment showed that the application of SAP-NPKS at the lower dose (I) significantly increased seed yield. The highest AE(N) was also observed in the SAP-NPKS I treatment. The highest seed yield overall was achieved with the higher dose of the natural-based hydrogel enriched with fertilizer (NHA-NPKS II). Furthermore, the use of NHA and NHA-NPKS significantly increased soil microbial activity. These findings suggest that fertilizer-enriched natural-based hydrogels are a promising approach for improving soil moisture retention and nutrient availability, particularly under drought conditions in poppy cultivation.