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Safflower is known as a tolerant plant to abiotic stress factors. This study was conducted to introduce some physiological indices to improve drought-tolerant safflower genotypes for cultivation in marginal and arid areas. Six safflower genotypes were studied for two years (2017–2019) in the East Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre of Iran under non-stressed and low-water conditions from flowering to seed maturity. The occurrence of water deficits led to a significant decrease in relative water content (RWC), stomatal conductance (gs), osmotic adjustment (Oadj), water potential (WP) and agronomic water use efficiency (WUEa) and an increase in the water stress index (CWSI). In addition, the values of these traits differed significantly between the safflower genotypes. The correlations between the physiological traits and seed yield were significant. The regression relationships between seed yield and the above traits showed that CWSI, WP and WUEa had a strong relationship with seed yield under normal (R2 = 0.854, 0.801 and 0.856, respectively) and water deficit conditions (R2 = 0.931, 0.877 and 0.900, respectively). It can be concluded that the CWSI, WP and WUEa indices are able to select high-yielding and drought-tolerant safflower genotypes for the late season. Among the components of seed yield, the number of capitula per plant (r = 0.86) and seeds per capitula (r = 0.92), which were positively and significantly correlated with seed yield, played the main roles in the formation of seed yield. The Golemehr and Mec.295 genotypes achieved higher seed yields under normal (4676 and 4961 kg h−1, respectively) and water deficit conditions (3211 and 3385 kg h−1, respectively) and can be recommended for cultivation in marginal and arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Climate variability is a major challenge concerning food security; therefore, there is a need for pragmatic solutions to improve agricultural production. Henceforth, this study was planned to optimize the planting time of exotic safflowers under the prevailing conditions in Faisalabad, Pakistan. A study was executed by employing a split-plot design with six safflower accessions and five sowing dates ranging from 31 October 2019 to 31 December 2019. The results of the experimental safflower accession PI-198990 produced significant seed yields (2432 kg ha−1, 2772 kg ha−1 and 2366 kg ha−1) when sown on 30 November 2019, 15 December 2019, and 31 December 2019, respectively. On the other hand, on 31 October 2019 and 30 November 2019, sown safflower accessions PI-208677 and PI-250187 were the best performers, respectively. However, a higher achene oil percentage (31.5% and 30.8%) was noted in accessions PI-250187 and PI-314650 when sown on 31 December 2019 and 15 December 2019, respectively. The highest oleic acid content (22.92% and 22.83%) was determined in accession PI-314650 when planted on 30 November 2019 and 15 December 2019, respectively, whereas a higher linoleic acid content was observed on 31 October 2019 and 30 November 2019. Stability analysis showed that safflower accession PI-210834 was the most stable under all sowing environments, followed by PI-314650. Correlation analysis showed that oil percentage showed a negative correlation with phenological traits and growing degree days, and oil yield showed a strong positive relationship with heads, seed yield, biological yield, thousand seed weight, and harvest index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two different locations -- the Badush Dam area and the College of Agriculture and Forestry- University of Mosul, Iraq -- a field experiment commenced in the winter of 2021--2022 to investigate how planting distances between lines at 30, 45, and 60 cm affect the growth and productivity characteristics of safflower cultivars (Gilla, Almais, and Urdine). The experiment with a randomized complete block design used two parameters. The outcomes showed significant differences between planting distances in most read-up attributes for both regions. A planting distance of 30 cm gave the most essential impetus for the height of a plant in the Badush Dam region. Moreover, both regions recorded the highest rate for seeds/capitula from a planting distance of 45 cm and the maximum rate for branches/plant, leaf area, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, oil content (%), and oil yield, and capitula/plant only in the college region. In both experimental sites, the varieties substantially impacted every trait under study. The highest values emerged for the Gilla variety for the 1000-seed weight at both sites. The utmost rates showed for the plant height, branches/plant, leaf area, capitula/plant, seeds/capitula, seed yield, and percentage of oil for the Almais variety. Moreover, the oil yield regarding branches/plants in the kidney site, leaf area in the dam site, and seed yield in both sites revealed a significant interaction between the Almais variety and the planting distance of 60 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Plant Production is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study was to determine the genotypic and environmental variability and stability in seed yield, oil content, oil yield, oleic and linoleic acid of 10 safflower lines derived from a cross of Dinçer 5-18-1 × Montola 2000 together with six cultivars under six environments at five locations. The effects of genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interactions were highly significant (P < 0.01) for seed yield and oil content. Averaged across all environments, the seed yield was lowest in the cultivar Olas (2 352 kg/ha), and highest in the line Bay-Er 5 (2 869 kg/ha). According to mean (xi) and regression coefficient (bi) values, the Bay-Er 16 was better adapted to unfavourable environmental conditions, whereas the Bay-Er 1, Bay-Er 5 and Bay-Er 14 were better adapted to favourable environmental conditions. The highest oil content across environments, over 35%, was recorded in the line Bay-Er 15 and the cultivars Olas and Linas. The best adaptability to the environments was observed in the cultivar Olas. The oleic acid content of genotypes increased and the linoleic acid contents decreased from the north to the south latitudes. The oil content of genotypes grown in Southeastern Anatolia was higher than in the other regions. Within the regions, seed yield and oil content was higher after autumn sowing than after spring sowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of winter‐tolerant safflower genotypes is crucial for the improvement of global safflower agriculture. The aim of the present study was to determine the cold tolerance abilities and some agricultural characteristics of advanced safflower genotypes. For this purpose, 10 advanced safflower genotypes were used in four different locations. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Winter survival and agricultural characteristics were significantly affected by growing season, location and genotype. Winter survival varies between 86.43% and 93.91% among the genotypes which is promising for winter sowing. As the average of 2 years, the highest oil content (36.25%) was observed in genotype EC21 and it was followed by genotypes EC11 (35.51%) and EC20 (35.49%). As with the seed yield, the high winter survival of genotypes with high oil content is highly promising in terms of winter sowing. Safflower should be grown in winter with mild temperature regions for high seed yield and sustainable safflower production. Therefore, this study focused on winter‐tolerant genotypes that are superior one in terms of seed yield and oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is cultivated across numerous nations for its oilseed and flower, as well as its fabric and food coloring properties. In the plain circumstances of Mardin Province (Türkiye), this study was conducted to determine the best date to sow six different safflower cultivars in the vegetation years of 2018 and 2019. Six safflower cultivars (Asol, Balcı, Dinçer, Linas, Olas, and Remzibey-05) were planted in the main plots on four different sowing dates (February 06, February 16, February 26, and March 05), located in the sub-plots. Safflower characteristics, including plant height, first branch height, number of branches, number of heads, head diameter, seed yield, protein ratio, oil ratio, and oil yield, were examined in the study. The first sowing date of the Remzibey-05 cultivar yielded the most seeds (4118 kg ha-1), and the second sowing date of the Remzibey-05 yielded the most oil (1197 kg ha-1). The Asol cultivar exhibited the highest protein content, however, no discernible pattern of increase or decrease was observed with respect to sowing dates. Early sowing enhanced seed production, and as sowing time was delayed, yield significantly decreased (on average by 30%). Further comprehensive research is required to tackle the deficiencies in vegetable and oil materials, not only in this locality but also in areas expressing equivalent weather and ecological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of current global climate change, gene introgression from wild relatives is a key strategy for increasing adaptation of crops that lost their variation during evolutionary bottleneck. Fall‐sown safflower leads to earlier spring growth and potentially higher productivity than the spring‐sown safflower, because of escaping from the terminal stresses of drought, heat, disease, and pests as well as efficient use of winter precipitation. During the last decade, we developed advanced generations of three sets of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from three crosses of Carthamus tinctorius × Carthamus palaestinus (TP), C. tinctorius × Carthamus oxyacanthus (TO) and C. palaestinus × C. oxyacanthus (PO). The objectives of this study were to assess the efficiency of gene introgression from two wild relatives of safflower and genetic variation of derived RILs in terms of adaptation to autumn sowing and cold tolerance in the field. The results showed a continuous variation for seed yield and oil content in RILs, indicating the existence of transgressive segregation in lines. Comparison of three interspecific populations indicated that lines derived from TP crosses showed high potential for autumn planting, winter hardness, and productivity of seed and oil yield. However, the RILs derived from PO and TO had higher chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) than TP population. Our results indicated that restoring lost genes in safflower is possible by introgression from its close relatives (especially C. palaestinus species). Identified superior RILs can be checked for other biotic and abiotic tolerance to develop new varieties in this valuable oil seed crop. Core Ideas: Wild introgression played an important role to increase diversity in safflower.Recombinant inbred lines from wild crosses had significantly higher seed yield and oil than cultivars.Introgression with Carthamus palaestinus suggests the development of new cold‐tolerant varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the pattern of water consumption in the agricultural sector is one of the necessary measures to manage the water crisis in the country. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of drought stress on yield and physiological characteristics of safflower under different amounts of potassium fertilizer. The experiment was performed as a combined analysis in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2018 and 2019. The main plot consisted of drought stress at three levels of 45%, 65%, and 85% of permissible moisture drain and the subplot consisted of potassium fertilizer at four levels of zero, 75, 150, and 225 kg of potassium sulfate per hectare. In the second year compared to the first year, the amount of proline and seed oil were significantly higher by 23.4% and 4.43%, respectively, and the amount of carbohydrates and chlorophyll a were significantly lower by 11.9% and 27.4%, respectively. With increasing potassium intake, the amount of chlorophyll a increased significantly, and the highest amount of chlorophyll a at the rate of 16.7 mg/L was obtained in the treatment of 225 kg of potassium per hectare. With increasing the intensity of stress from 45% to 85% of moisture drain in different levels of potassium fertilizer, seed yield decreased significantly. Treatment of 85% moisture drain in no application of potassium showed the highest amount of proline. The application of potassium is effective in modulating the negative effects of drought stress on seed yield, qualitative, and physiological characteristics of safflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, 81 safflower genotypes were studied in a 9×9 simple lattice design for several plants per plot (NPP), plant height (PH), the height of the first lateral branch (HFL), the height of the first lateral capitulum (HFC), stem diameter (SD), number of lateral branches per plant (NLB), number of main branches per plant (NMB), number of capitula per plant (NCP), number of seeds per main capitulum (SMC), number of seeds per lateral capitulum (SLC), seed yield (SY) and thousand seed weight (TSW). The genotype by trait (G×T) interaction biplot tool was used to indicate the pattern of G×T interaction two-way interaction data in a graph with 73% description of observed variation whereas the first principal component (PC) effect explained 49%, and the second PC, 24%, of the observed interaction variability. The vector view displayed that NCP with NMB, and SMC with SY were positively associated while there was a negative association between HFC with TSW, and between NLB with NPP. The polygon-view graph is divided into eleven sectors, and the sector of genotype G80 was a winner for most traits. Genotype G58 followed by genotypes G30, G33 and G72, were the most favorable genotypes in regard to SY while regarding this trait as a reference, SMC was identified as the most related trait which is followed by SLC, SD. Applying G×T biplot to the safflower multiple trait data demonstrated that this model visually showed the associations among seed yield with the number of seeds per main and lateral capitula followed by the number of capitula per plant and thousand seed weight, and provide ease of visual genotype comparisons and choosing. We found that choose of seed yield alone was not only dependent on the number of seeds per main and lateral capitula but also related to the other traits in safflower breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a promising oilseed crop for cultivation in central Southern Italy due to its high tolerance to drought and salinity stress and appreciable seed and oil yields. The genetic diversity of cultivars and climate factors can affect fatty acid composition and yield traits. This study aimed to assess the effects of genotype and climate conditions on the productive performance of eight high oleic safflower genotypes under rainfed conditions in Sicily (Italy). These genotypes were compared to the Montola 2000 cultivar, which was used as a reference. Tests were carried out during the growing seasons of 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Morphological and yield components were significantly affected by genotype while the year had a significant effect on plant height only. In general, CTI 17 produced the highest seed yield (1.40 t ha−1) and oil yield (0.58 t ha−1). The seed oil content was found on 40.2% of dry matter, on average. The "genotype" factor significantly affected oil content and fatty acid composition. Oleic acid content was on average 66.1% and did not vary greatly over the two growing seasons. The above- and belowground plant parts showed the highest carbon content and the lowest nitrogen content as a percentage of dry matter. The results indicate that, under rainfed conditions, yield parameters of high oleic safflower genotypes can be profitable in southern Italy though significantly dependent upon genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers has bought threat to soil health in respect to physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the usage of inorganic fertilizers by substituting with organics. It is well established fact that the improvement in quality and productivity of the crops could be made possible with combined application of organic sources and balanced chemical fertilizers. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during rabi 2021-22 at College of Agriculture, UAS, Raichur to study the effect of organic sources and nutrient levels on growth, yield and economics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Eighteen treatment combinations were evaluated which consisted of three organic sources and six nutrient levels. The experiment was laid out in Factorial RBD design with three replications. The results indicated that among organic sources, application of FYM @ 5 t /ha recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (85.95 cm), total dry matter accumulation (121.59 g/plant), seed yield (1467 kg/ha) and stalk yield (2216 kg /ha). Further this treatment recorded higher gross returns (Rs. 80,699/ha) and net returns (Rs. 51247/ha) compared to other treatment. Among the different nutrient levels, SSNM (STCR equation) + micronutrients Zn @ 25 kg/ha + S @ 10 kg/ha showed significant effect on growth parameters and seed yield (1508 kg/ha) as compared to other treatment. Moreover, the combination registered higher gross returns (Rs. 82,964/ha) and net returns (Rs. 54,540/ha) compared to other nutrient levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower is a drought tolerant oilseed crop with great promise to be cultivated in the marginal lands of subtropical regions. Sustainable seed yield with better oil content and its quality will be dependent over crop tolerance and water use efficiency (WUE) under current scenario of global climate change. In this regard, experiment was planned under randomized complete block design (split plot arrangement) where treatments comprised of 06 USDA safflower accessions and 3 differential irrigation regimes i.e.W0, W1, and W2. Exotic safflower accessions namely PI-198990, PI-314650 (non-spiny), and PI-210834 (spiny) were emerged as drought tolerant due to their higher values of (WUE), irrigational water use efficiency (IWUE), and membrane stability index (MSI). Same accessions also had high seed oil and oleic acid contents and were later in maturity when compared with other accessions. PI-208677 for accumulated high linoleic acid under W0 regime. Correlation of seed yield of safflower accessions was significant for thousand seed weight, seeds per head, plant height, and days to maturity, while oil content had positive correlation with thousand seed weight, seed yield, MSI, and WUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different nitrogen forms and some biotreatments (Trichoderma viride, vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi) alone or in combination on vegetative growth, seed yield and some chemical traits of downy safflower (Carthamus lanatus L.). Nitrogen was supplied as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and urea at the rates (5, 3 and 2 g/plant, respectively). Bio treatments included Trichoderma viride, vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi. The results showed that all nitrogen forms significantly increased the plant growth and yield, pigments content, and total carbohydrates in leaves and seeds, as well as N, P and K%, total phenols and oil content in seeds. All bio treatments significantly increased the tested parameters compared to control. The integration of ammonium sulfate with T. viride was the most effective treatment since determined the highest increases of the tested traits. Results showed that for enhancing downy safflower plant growth, and nutritional values of seed, the combined treatment of T. viride at 5 ml/plant and ammonium sulfate at 5 g/plant is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plant breeding programs, multiple traits are recorded in each trial, and the traits are often correlated. Correlated traits can be incorporated into genomic selection models, especially for traits with low heritability, to improve prediction accuracy. In this study, we investigated the genetic correlation between important agronomic traits in safflower. We observed the moderate genetic correlations between grain yield (GY) and plant height (PH, 0.272–0.531), and low correlations between grain yield and days to flowering (DF, −0.157–0.201). A 4%–20% prediction accuracy improvement for grain yield was achieved when plant height was included in both training and validation sets with multivariate models. We further explored the selection responses for grain yield by selecting the top 20% of lines based on different selection indices. Selection responses for grain yield varied across sites. Simultaneous selection for grain yield and seed oil content (OL) showed positive gains across all sites with equal weights for both grain yield and oil content. Combining g×E interaction into genomic selection (GS) led to more balanced selection responses across sites. In conclusion, genomic selection is a valuable breeding tool for breeding high grain yield, oil content, and highly adaptable safflower varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower is an annual herb of Compositae, which has great economic value. To explore the impact of invasive weed Xanthium italicum Moretti on the economic crop safflower, field experiments were conducted, the growth-related characters and the relative intensity of competition between the two species was explored. The results showed that under monoculture conditions, the stem height, crown width, stem diameter and the biomass of X. italicum root, stem and leaves were 1.14, 1.96, 1.82, 4.42, 4.21 and 3.99 times as high as those of safflower, respectively. When the two species coexisted, the growth related characters of X. italicum were further significantly improved, while the growth related characters of safflower were significantly decreased. When coexisted with X. italicum, the corolla biomass, hydroxysafflor yellow A content of corolla, seed yields, 100-seed weight, and seed oil content of safflower in the interplanted treatment 90.04%, 33.11%, 63.89%, 40.58%, and 25.61% lower than those in the monocultured treatment, respectively. Relative yield (RY) and Competitive balance index (CB) of X. italicum and safflower showed that the interspecific competitiveness of X. italicum was significantly higher than that of safflower. Under the competitive inhibition of X. italicum, not only the vegetative growth, but also the reproductive growth, yield, and quality of the economic organs of safflower were significantly negatively impacted. Together, our findings provide important scientific basis for evaluating the invasion risks and consequences of safflower's cropland ecosystem by X. italicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to assess the genetic variability and association among yield attributing traits in 60 different safflower genotypes over six environments. The pooled analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all attributes had a considerable degree of variation. The pooled analysis of variability parameters revealed that the phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV)for all of the characteristics evaluated, indicating that experimental variance contributed to total variation. Petal yield/plant and seed yield/plant had the highest PCV and GCV followed by number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitula, height of insertion of first branch, hundred seed weight, number of primary branches/plant, length of longest primary branches, number of secondary branches and height up to main capitula. Number of capitula/plant, seed yield/plant, petal yield/plant, height of insertion of first branch, number of seeds per capitula, hundred seed weight, number of primary branches/plant, length of the longest primary branches, number of secondary branches, height upto main capitula, capitulum diameter and plant height all had high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Seedyield/plant showed positive, significant and directcorrelation with number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitulum, height up to the main capitulum, plant height, number of primary branches/plant, capitulum diameter, and hundred seed weight. Number of capitula/planthad the maximum direct effect on grain yield/plant followed by number of seeds/capitulum, hundred seed weight and petal yield/plant. Hence selection of these traits would improve seed and petal yield in safflower breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out with the ionizing radiation source Cobalt 60 (Co-60) at a dosage of 200, 300, 400, 500 Gy on three safflower varieties. According to the results of the research, in M1 plants; in parallel with the increase in gamma dosages, a certain decrease occurred in plant height, number of branches per plant, number of trays per plant, diameter of the tray, number of seeds per tray, seed yield per plant, and seed vitality. In field observations taken from M2 plants, significant diversity was observed. In M2 plants, significant reductions in emergence rate were observed in all three cultivars depending on the increase in dosages. In all three safflower cultivars, plant height, tray diameter, number of seeds per tray and thousand seed weight values increased compared to control plants in parallel with the increase in dosages. Significant mutations were observed in the 200-400 Gy dosage range in all three cultivars. In M1 plants, when the seed yield per plant and the rate of viability were examined, a certain level of decrease was observed in parallel with the increase in gamma dosages. In M2 plants, in parallel with the dosage increase in all cultivars, the tray diameter values increased compared to the control. Again, in all cultivars, while the diameter of the tray decreased in M1, it increased in M2 in general and increases were observed at low gamma dosages. In M2, dosages of 300-400 Gy also increased in the criteria examined compared to the control and had a stimulating effect. The investigated properties generally decreased in M1 depending on the dosage increase, while there were fluctuations in M2. As a result, the variation created by the radiation and the real effect of the mutation applications emerged after M2. In this study, while the averages of Dinçer and Remzibey cultivars in terms of viability in M1 were almost the same, Shifa cultivar gave more successful results in terms of viability. When the values obtained in the study were examined, it was concluded that genetic variations and changes occurred at dosages of 300-400 Gy at most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of organic fertilizers on vegetative growth and the physiological and antioxidant activity characteristics of thyme plants grown under stress. A factorial experiment was conducted according to randomized complete block design with 12 combinations and 3 replications in the 2018 growing season. The experiment factors were the implementation of organic fertilizers at 4 levels (vermicompost, manure compost, animal manure, and control) and irrigation regime at 3 levels (Irr1, Irr2, and Irr3, respectively, irrigation after 60, 90, and 120 mm evaporation from A pan). The results showed that With delayed irrigation, the chlorophyll a and b contents, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid decreased, while the application of low water stress enhanced the amount of oil and the oil yield with the respective highest values of 2.61% and 3.68 g/m under mild stress conditions. Nonetheless, higher values for the aforementioned properties were noted with the application of vermicompost. Water deficit decreased nutrient uptake (K, P, and N) and relative water content, biological yield, and seed yield of thyme, indicating that thyme was sensitive to drought, and organic fertilizers application improved nutrient uptake (K, P, and N) and relative water content, biological yield and seed yield of the plant within irrigation levels. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase were reduced under organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and manure compost as compared with control under drought stress. The plants of thyme showed a good response to organic fertilizers under water deficit circumstances, with vermicompost being the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of two irrigation regimes (well-watered versus water limited conditions) on yield and grain composition of 24 safflower genotypes was compared in a two-year field trial arranged as a split plot design. Safflower genotypes at limited irrigation had higher total chlorophyll and proline levels compared with well-watered irrigations. In term of total chlorophyll content, safflower genotypes G17 (1.4 mg g-1 FW), G24 (1.37 mg g-1 FW) and G7 (1.36 mg g-1 FW) were statistically higher relative to other genotypes under well water conditions. In contrast, under limited irrigation conditions, G15 (1.76 mg g-1 FW) had the highest total chlorophyll suggestive of differential response among genotypes. The highest plant height and leaf dry weight were detected in G3 (84.4 cm and 13.3 g plant-1, respectively) under limited irrigation. Difference in number of heads plant-1 under well-watered (29.5 plant-1) was observed compared to limited irrigation (20.5 plant-1) among genotypes. Under well-watered (49.8 g) and limited irrigation (44.1), G2 and G9 showed the highest 1000 seed weight, respectively. Among accessions, G24 yielded more seed compared to other genotypes under well-watered (2342 kg ha-1) and limited irrigation (1137 kg ha-1) posing it as potential line for further breeding. With regards to seed oil yield, G23 was the highest under well-watered (735 kg ha-1) and water limited conditions (356 kg ha-1), with water limited conditions found to reduce seed oil content by ca. 1.5% among lines. Under both well-watered and water limited conditions, highest biological yield (14003 and 11238 kg ha-1, respectively) and lowest harvest index (6.9% and 6.1%) were detected in G3 genotype. Based on this experiment, it is could be concluded that under well and limited irrigation, high seed yield and oil yield was achieved in G23, while seed oil concentration did not change remarkably by stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the possible effects of pruning the side branches at different stages, designed as a single stem/single head, on the growth and development characteristics of the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) plant and its agricultural potential under the different plant spacing. In the research, which was established with 3 replications according to the split-plot, 3 pruning times (beginning of budding, end of budding and beginning of flowering) and 3 different row distances (15 x 10, 30 x 10, and 45 x 10 cm) were applied. While pruning treatments had positive effects on chlorophyll content, plant height, head diameter, seed number, and 1000 seed weight, they had negative effects on seed weight, harvest index, oil ratio, seed and oil yield. Chlorophyll content, plant height, the number of branches, head diameter, the number of heads, the number of seeds, seed weight, and 1000 seed weight increased as row spacing widened; harvest index, seed and oil yield decreased; oil ratio was unaffected. The research findings showed that pruning time and sowing distances had non-significant effect on fatty acid composition. Despite having more seeds and a heavier 1000 seed weight, plants with a single stem/single head had lower seed and oil yields because they did not have as many heads as branched plants. The research findings are important in providing data that can be a role model for genetically non-branching plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining ability analysis discriminates the parents and crosses, provides information about the breeding method to be adopted for genetic improvement of a specific character. Thirty hybrids obtained by mating two females with fifteen males in L × T fashion were evaluated in RBD along with parents to estimate the combining ability of parents and crosses for seed yield and yield contributing traits. The parents and hybrids significantly differed amongst themselves for different characters, viz., days to maturity, 100 seeds weight, capsules per plant, branches per plant, seed yield, seed volume weight and oil content. Among the males, GMU-590, GMU-2273, GMU-2830 and GMU-589 and the females, AKS CMS-3B had good gca effects for seed yield and some other yield contributing traits. However, GMU- 7573 and GMU-2830 were found best general combiners for the trait oil content. All these selected parents may be utilised in a different breeding programme for genetic enhancement of the trait involved. The hybrids AKS CMS-2A × GMU-1731 and AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448 were identified as good combinations for seed volume weight and capsules per plant. Whereas the hybrids AKS CMS-3A × GMU-2273 and AKS CMS-2A × GMU-6891 were effective for seed filling percentage and seed yield per plant. Three promising hybrids viz., AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448, AKS CMS-3A × GMU-2273 and AKS CMS-2A × GMU-6891 were designated as promising hybrids as they had good per se performance and significant sca effects for seed yield per plant and most of its contributing characters which can be utilized for heterosis breeding and release of new hybrids at commercial level after thorough multilocation testing. Further, the hybrids AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448, AKS CMS-3A × GMU-590 and AKS CMS-3A × AKS-589 involving one or both good general combining parents with non-significant sca effects for many studied characters which may be utilized to isolate desirable segregants in progressive generations for identification and release of new varieties by hybridizing the ‘B’ lines of concerned CMS line with similar males again.

Research establishing optimal sowing dates and irrigation can help to alleviate the adverse effects of drought on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of sowing date and irrigation quantity on safflower traits. Irrigation treatments were applied based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) at the vegetative, flowering, and capitulum development stages. Evapotranspiration increased as the number of irrigations increased. Morphological, yield and oil traits, and water use efficiency (WUE) were significantly higher in the early than in late sowing. Grain yield varied from 440 to 1,460 kg ha−1 in early and from 340 to 1,240 kg ha−1 in late sowing dates. Oil yield of early sown safflower varied between 188.56 and 338.84 kg ha−1 and between 24.4 and 308.82 kg ha−1 in late sowing. The oil yield of one supplemental irrigation in the vegetative stage (I1V treatment) was significantly lower than in treatments with two (I2VF, vegetative and flowering stages) and three supplemental irrigations (I3VFG, vegetative, flowering, and capitulum development stages) in early sowing. In late sowing, the oil yield of I2VF was higher than other irrigation treatments. The range of saving irrigation water in I1 treatments was from 57.0 to 83.0% in early sowing but with a corresponding 30.0 to 66.0% reduction in grain yield compared with full irrigation treatment. For most of the tested traits, irrigation in the vegetative and especially flowering stages improved safflower yield and WUE, and thus can be an alternative irrigation strategy for water conservation in dry regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the possibility of partitioning photoassimilate improvement and increasing the percentage of safflower seed oil by cytokinin application, a split plot factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications at the research farm of Agriculture Faculty, University of Zanjan, Iran, during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 growing seasons. In this experiment, irrigation levels included optimal irrigation (-0.4MP) and drought stress (-2 MP) were the main plots and safflower cultivars (i.e Sina, Faraman, Parnyan, Gholdasht and Mahaly Esfahan), and three levels of cytokinin, (i. e no- application (control), 50 and 75 μM) were subplots. Drought stress started at flowering stage and cytokinin spray and drought stress were performed simultaneously. The results showed that drought stress increased the remobilization efficiency (42.75%) and contribution of stem reserves to grain yield (26%) and decreased the grain yield (26.8%) and seed oil percentage (10.6%). Under drought stress condition, Mahally Esfahan cultivar had the highest oil percentage with an average of 35.42% and an increase in the transfer efficiency of stem reserves to grain (52.7%). Cytokinin application minimized the negative effects of drought stress and improved traits such as stem efficiency in grain transfer, grain yield and oil percentage in the studied cultivars. The highest percentage of seed oil was obtained by 75 μM cytokinin application (with an average of 33.38%) compared to the control treatment. Therefore, cytokinin application can be suggested to reduce the negative effects of drought stress, increase photosynthetic partitioning material and of safflower seed oil percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic basis of heterosis has been exploited for yield improvement in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) but little is known about physiological basis of heterosis for yield. The objective of this study was to quantify the physiological basis of heterosis for seed yield in safflower by examining 19 safflower hybrids and their parents for photosynthetic traits, and yield and its components. The results showed that heterosis for yield and its components was high and positive but was low and negative for photosynthetic traits in most of the hybrids studied. There were weak and non-significant relations between photosynthetic traits and yield and its components. Hybrids were more efficient in translocating photoassimilates to two major sink organs viz. , number of seeds and number of capitula despite having low net photosynthesis than parents. Seed yield increase in safflower is more sink-than source-limited and was necessary through heterosis for sink organs. Heterosis breeding for larger sink size with parallel increase in effectiveness of sink organs in translocation of photo-assimilates is suggested for yield improvement in safflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an important source of edible oil and bioenergy with its high quality oil in its seeds. In this research, seed mixtures were made in advanced generation safflower lines to benefit from both the natural heterosis effect and the advantages of multi-line varieties. Three safflower lines (BAY-ER 2, BAY-ER 5 and BAY-ER 15) with similar phenological characteristics, but different seed and oil yields were used. Pure, double (1/2 + 1/2) and triple (1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3) seed mixture ratios were grown under open pollination condition. The partial hybrid seeds were planted in randomized block experimental design with three replicates in the following year to evaluate the the agricultural and quality characteristics. Statistically significant differences were found between pure lines and mixtures in terms of plant height, number of branches, number of heads, 1000 grain weight, seed hull ratio, oil ratio, seed yield and oil yield. Double and triple seed mixtures showed higher yield performance than pure lines, and high mixing efficiency was obtained as 50.7% from BAY-ER 2 + BAYER 15 and 44.0% from BAY-ER 5+ BAY-ER 15 binary mixtures. All the mixtures gave higher seed yield and oil ratio than their pure lines. Linoleic acid ratios in the lines and oleic acid ratios in the mixtures were found to be slightly higher. As a result, it has been understood that agricultural performance can be increased with different ratios of seed mixtures of a certain number of pure lines in safflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Combining ability analysis discriminates the parents and crosses, provides information about the breeding method to be adopted for genetic improvement of a specific character. Thirty hybrids obtained by mating two females with fifteen males in L × T fashion were evaluated in RBD along with parents to estimate the combining ability of parents and crosses for seed yield and yield contributing traits. The parents and hybrids significantly differed amongst themselves for different characters, viz., days to maturity, 100 seeds weight, capsules per plant, branches per plant, seed yield, seed volume weight and oil content. Among the males, GMU-590, GMU-2273, GMU-2830 and GMU-589 and the females, AKS CMS-3B had good gca effects for seed yield and some other yield contributing traits. However, GMU7573 and GMU-2830 were found best general combiners for the trait oil content. All these selected parents may be utilised in a different breeding programme for genetic enhancement of the trait involved. The hybrids AKS CMS-2A × GMU-1731 and AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448 were identified as good combinations for seed volume weight and capsules per plant. Whereas the hybrids AKS CMS-3A × GMU-2273 and AKS CMS-2A × GMU-6891 were effective for seed filling percentage and seed yield per plant. Three promising hybrids viz., AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448, AKS CMS-3A × GMU-2273 and AKS CMS-2A × GMU-6891 were designated as promising hybrids as they had good per se performance and significant sca effects for seed yield per plant and most of its contributing characters which can be utilized for heterosis breeding and release of new hybrids at commercial level after thorough multilocation testing. Further, the hybrids AKS CMS-3A × GMU-7448, AKS CMS-3A × GMU-590 and AKS CMS-3A × AKS-589 involving one or both good general combining parents with non-significant sca effects for many studied characters which may be utilized to isolate desirable segregants in progressive generations for identification and release of new varieties by hybridizing the ‘B’ lines of concerned CMS line with similar males again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of salinity and drought stress on the photosynthesis, growth and production responses of safflower, two experiments were performed in Isfahan, Iran using four different levels of saline water, four different levels of irrigation water, and their combinations which were applied at three different growth stages (stem elongation, heading, and flowering) in 2016 and 2017. A split-plot experiment based on complete block design was performed with three replicates. The plant height, leaf area index, relative water content, number of heads per plant, number of seeds per head, 1000-seeds weight, seed yield, oil content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate decrease under salinity, drought, and simultaneous stresses. The reduction in seed yield caused by the 10 dS m-1 and 40% of irrigation treatment was higher at the heading stage (92.6%) when compared with the stem elongation (71.04%) and flowering (89.9%) stages. In general, the reduction in seed yield caused by salinity-drought stress was higher at the heading stage as compared with stem elongation and the flowering stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out to evaluate the response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to salinity, drought and combined salinity- drought stresses at its vegetative stage and share of their effects on reduction of yield, yield components and photosynthesis of plant. For this purpose, a split plot experiment based on randomized complete block design was carried out at Agricultural Education Center of Kabotarabad- Isfahan in 2016-2017. In this study, response of spring safflower (Sofeh variety) to four salinity stress levels (2.5, 5, 10 and 15 dS/m) and four drought stress levels (100%, 80%, 60% and 40% F.C.) at vegetative growth stage were evaluated. The results showed that mean values of most traits were significantly reduced with increasing salinity and drought stress levels, in such a way that severe drought (Irrigation based on 40% field capacity) and salinity (15 dS/m) treatments produced lowest values for all traits. Seed oil content decreased with increasing salinity but this decrease (7.4%) was significant only at highest salinity level (15 dS/m). The highest level of combined salinity-drought stress decreased seed yield (87.13% decrease) more than the highest level of each of drought (71.40% decrease) and salinity (55.56% decrease) stresses as compared to control treatment (without drought and salinity stress), and the share of drought stress in reduction of seed yield was higher than the salinity stress (71.40% and 55.56%, respectively). Thus, growing safflower with minimum loss of seed yield, by irrigation with 80% F.C. and water salinity with 5 dS/m at the vegetative growth stage is possible.

Due to genetic erosion over evolution events, the genetic diversity of domesticated safflower species for drought tolerance is limited. Wild species has been considered as useful genetic resources for improvement of abiotic stress tolerance. In this study, a cultivated species (C. tinctorius) was crossed by two wild species (C. palaestinus and C. oxyacanthus) and the genotypes were purified until advanced generations. Then, 159 safflower recombinant lines derived from three inter-specific hybridizations were investigated during two years in terms of agronomical traits and drought tolerance at the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology. The results showed that there was considerable genetic variation in most of the agronomic and seed yield related traits among parental species and also between and within three crosses. The C. palaestinus and C. tinctorius had the highest value for seed yield under both normal and drought conditions. Under normal condition, the population derived from hybridization of cultivated species with C. palaestinus showed the highest seed yield and other agronomic traits. Therefore this population was superior relative to other populations. Under stress conditions, all three populations showed a potential for drought tolerance due to the inheritance of the resistance from two wild parents. In each of the three populations, transgressive segregants were identified for drought stress tolerance. Finally, the results revealed that the progenies of these crosses could be used to improve the seed and oil yield to promote this plant in arid regions.

The current experiment consisting of 19 elite safflower genotypes along with three checks (A-1, PBNS-12 and DSH 185) were sown in randomized block design in three replications. Genotypic correlation studies established a positive association between the number of capitulum per plant, the number of seeds per plant, the weight of 100 seeds per plant and the seed yield per plant. As a result, selecting genotypes based on these traits may help to enhance seed yield. Days to maturity and the number of seeds per capitulum had a positive association with oil content, indicating that delayed maturity contributed to enhance oil content. Similarly, the number of seeds/capitulum contributed to improve the oil content. Days to 50% flowering, number of capitulum /plant, number of seeds /capitulum, 100 seed weight and oil percentage appeared to have the most direct effects on seed yield. Oil content per plant had a significant effect on traits such as days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, and 100 seed weight, whereas seed yield had a negative direct effect towards oil content. The path analysis results showed that increased rosette period helped plants establishing good root system at an early stage of growth, delayed days to 50% flowering and maturity strongly affecting the source and sink, which converted into the number of capitulum per plant and 100 seed weight. These characters showed a positive relationship as well as direct effects on seed yield and oil content. As a result, a plant with delayed maturity (130-135 days), medium plant height (110cm), 30-35 seeds per capitulum, 100 seed weight (4.5-5 g) and oil content (32-33 %) would be considered as the model plant type for late sown irrigated conditions in Chhattisgarh plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being native to semi-arid environments, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) growth, seed yield, and physiological responses under contrasting temperature and moisture conditions typically occurring in semi-arid regions are not fully understood. Thus, three field experiments and a greenhouse study were conducted to study the growth, yield, and physiological attributes of six safflower genotypes under different environmental conditions. Spring-sown and summer-sown plants were subjected to contrasting environmental conditions in two 4-replicate randomized complete block design (RCBD) field experiments. In the third field experiment (a 3-replicate split plot RCBD) and the greenhouse study (a 3-replicate RCBD), the safflower genotypes were subjected to different irrigation regimes of no stress to severe drought. Spring-sown safflower outperformed the summer-sown crop in terms of seed filling rate (SFR) by 93%, seeds head−1 by 62%, 1000-seeds weight by 30%, seed yield by 53%, oil concentration by 16% and protein concentrations by 22%. Plant dry mass (PDM) for the summer-sown safflower was 25% greater than the spring-sown one. In contrast to a 21% increase in seed protein concentration, severe drought led to notable decreases in leaf chlorophyll a (chl-a), chl-b and total chlorophyll (chl-tot) concentrations, leaf area, relative water content (RWC), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, membrane stability index (MSI), oil concentration, yield components and consequently seed yield (36%) and PDM (34%). Genotype Kouseh tended to maintain its seed yield and quality across the environmental conditions, potentiating this under-utilized crop as an alternative to be endorsed in crop rotations of semi-arid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Faculty of Agriculture in Harran University during of 2019-20, 2020-21 growing seasons to determine the yield and yield components of some safflower cultivars under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The experimental layout was divided into plots in randomized block desing with three replicates. Five safflower varieties (Göktürk, Koç, Dinçer, Safir and Balcı) were used as the plant material. Plant height (cm), number of lateral branches (number plant-1 ), number of capitula (capitula plant-1 ), number of seeds per capitulum (number capitulum-1 ),1000-seed weight (g), seed yield (kg ha-1 ), crown yield (g), crude oil content (%) and crude oil yield (kg ha-1 ) were investigated. Yields of irrigated cultivars (2425.8 and 2308.9 kg ha-1 ) in both years were higher than those grown under rainfed conditions (857.3 and 578.1 kg ha-1 ). The best performance under rainfed conditions was obtained from Dinçer cultivar, and the performance of Dinçer and Balci cultivars under irrigated conditions were better than of other three cultivars. In addition, oil content of varieties grown under irrigation were higher than varieties grown under rainfed conditions. Balcı variety had the highest oil content and best performance under rainfed and irrigated conditions for oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the response of two safflower genotypes to auxin foliar application under late-season drought stress using a factorial split-plot experiment with the randomised complete block design, a two-year experiment (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) was conducted in Iran. The watering regime as specified in two levels including, regular irrigation and drought stress in main plots and two safflower genotypes and auxin foliar application in two levels including non-foliar application (control) and auxin foliar application at a concentration of 30 ppm were categorised in subplots. Drought stress at the seed filling stage reduced the safflower seed and oil yield. Moreover, a significant drought-induced decrease in linoleic acid, palmitic acid and behenic acid content, as well as an increase in oleic acids, was observed in two safflower genotypes. Among two safflower genotypes, the early maturing genotype less affected by drought and Goldasht had higher seed yield than the Padideh by 814 kg/ha, respectively. Auxin foliar application alleviates the adverse effects of drought, which led to an 18% increase in seed yield and components. However, the auxin application had no effect on the safflower seed oil content but palmitic acid content was affected by auxin foliar application. Generally, safflower along with auxin application can be recommended to develop safflower cultivation in semi-arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, was conducted in 2018, 2019 and 2020 at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Agriculture Faculty Department of Field Crops, it was aimed to determine morphological and technological traits of some oleic and mid-oleic type safflower genotypes developed by cross breeding. For this purpose, 11 F2 hybrid genotypes obtained from a cross between Dinçer 5-18-1 cultivar and PI 603208 genotype were used as material and compared to two standard oleic local cultivars and parents of these hybrids (Dinçer 5-18-1, PI 603208, Olas ve Asol). In study to determine the agricultural and technological traits, plant height (cm), branch number, head number, head diameter (cm), 1000 seed weight (g), seed yield (kg da-1), hull ratio (%), oil content (%), oil yield (kg da-1) and fatty acid composition (%) were investigated. According to research findings, seed yield values of hybrid genotypes changed between 120.73-187.80 kg da-1, oil content values 31.67-36.49% and oil yield values 40.43-63.92 kg da-1 and showed a wide variation. The highest oil content among hybrid genotypes were obtained from the EC/ol-7 genotype (36.49%), while the highest seed yield and oil yield among genotypes were obtained from the EC/ol-8 genotype (187.80 and 63.92 kg da-1 respectively). The highest oleic oil content among hybrid genotypes was obtained from the EC/ol-11 genotype (61.79%). In this study, it was determined that 5 genotypes in terms of oil content, seed yield and oleic acid composition (EC/ol 5, EC/ol 6, EC/ol 7, EC/ol 8 and EC/ol 11) are superior of the other genotypes in F2 generation. In addition, with the other genotypes, both stable and hopeful ones will be determined the next generations (F3 and F4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate drought tolerance of some safflower genotypes, an experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Isfahan University of Technology in 2016 and 2017. In this study, 18 safflower genotypes selected from different local populations along with 2 exotic cultivars and one local population (21 genotypes) were separately evaluated at two normal (non-stress) and water deficit (stress) irrigation regimes, using a randomized complete block design with two replications. Drought tolerance and susceptible indices were calculated based on the seed yield. The results showed that there was significant differences among genotypes for seed yield. The genotypes M420 (4703 Kg/ha) and C116 (2723 Kg/ha) had the highest and lowest seed yield, respectively in normal irrigation condition, however, genotypes of A2 (2906 Kg/ha) and Arak2811 (1373 Kg/ha) had the highest and lowest seed yield, respectively in water deficit condition. Based on the correlation coefficients between indices and seed yield under both irrigation regimes, the indices of MP, GMP, STI, MpSTI and MsSTI were recognized as the best ones for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in safflower. The graphic biplot and cluster analysis indicated that genotypes M420, S149, K21, K12, E2428, E2417, AC-Stirling and A2 were more tolerant genotypes to water stress.

The present study was conducted to decipher the genetic information on heterosis and inbreeding depression for seed yield and its contributing characters in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The cross, JMU-1339 x NARI-6, showed a positive and significant relative heterosis, standard heterosis and heterobeltiosis for seed yield per plant while, the cross, JMU-1339 x EC-757665, exhibited positive and significant relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis along with negative standard heterosis. The cross, JMU-1339 x NARI-6, noted significant desirable heterosis for other yield contributing traits viz., the number of branches, the number of capitulum and the number of seeds per capitulum and also exhibited positive significant inbreeding depression for these characters. The cross, JMU-1339 x EC-757665, showed desirable heterosis for the number of branches, the number of seeds per capitulum and test weight with positive significant inbreeding depression for these characters. Heterosis in the cross, JMU-1339 x NARI-6, was highly significant indicating its usefulness in the direct release as a variety after thorough testing over locations. The cross, JMU-1339 x EC-757665, exhibited a significant positive heterotic value for test weight and oil content revealing its usefulness in breeding programmes to enhance this trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general and specific combining ability effects and variances for eight characters related to seed yield and its contributing traits in safflower were studied using Line x Tester mating design in forty CMS based hybrids, involving 20 lines (males) and two testers (females) along with three checks (PKV PINK, AKS 207 and PBNS 12). Combining Ability Analysis indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the traits under study. Out of 20 males, GMU 3876, GMU 3924, GMU 3965 and AKS CMS 2B were identified as good general combiners for seed yield per plant, whereas, S-518, CCC-B2 and AKS 325 were identified as good general combiners for other yield contributing traits, and the parents GMU 3876, GILA and AKS CMS 2B for oil content. Hence, these parents may be exploited in further breeding programme to improve the concerned traits. Three crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3876, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3863 and AKS CMS 3A X AKS/NS1 were identified as promising crosses on the basis of SCA effects for seed yield per plant, with good GCA effect of one of the parents. Thus, these crosses may be used for further evaluation in preliminary or multi-location hybrid trials for the further exploitation at commercial level. The crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3965, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3325 and AKS CMS 2A X AKS 325 performed well over the best check i.e. PKV PINK along with a positive and highly significant GCA effects of one of the parents involved in the cross and low SCA effects (non-significant), it is recommended to utilize these crosses further by generation advancement for the development of varieties after re-crossing with ‘B’ line of the respective CMS line.

Drought is one of the most severe and unpredictable abiotic stresses, occurring at any growth stage and affecting crop yields worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to develop drought tolerant varieties to ensure sustainable crop production in an ever-changing climate. High-throughput digital phenotyping technologies in tandem with robust screening methods enable precise and faster selection of genotypes for breeding. To investigate the use of digital imaging to reliably phenotype for drought tolerance, a genetically diverse safflower population was screened under different drought stresses at Agriculture Victoria's high-throughput, automated phenotyping platform, Plant Phenomics Victoria, Horsham. In the first experiment, four treatments, control (90% field capacity; FC), 40% FC at initial branching, 40% FC at flowering and 50% FC at initial branching and flowering, were applied to assess the performance of four safflower genotypes. Based on these results, drought stress using 50% FC at initial branching and flowering stages was chosen to further screen 200 diverse safflower genotypes. Measured plant traits and dry biomass showed high correlations with derived digital traits including estimated shoot biomass, convex hull area, caliper length and minimum area rectangle, indicating the viability of using digital traits as proxy measures for plant growth. Estimated shoot biomass showed close association having moderately high correlation with drought indices yield index, stress tolerance index, geometric mean productivity, and mean productivity. Diverse genotypes were classified into four clusters of drought tolerance based on their performance (seed yield and digitally estimated shoot biomass) under stress. Overall, results show that rapid and precise image-based, high-throughput phenotyping in controlled environments can be used to effectively differentiate response to drought stress in a large numbers of safflower genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted on 20 safflower genotypes and lasted 3 years (2014-2016) in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The experiments were conducted in randomized block design with four replications. The relationships among yield 9 other traits in safflower genotypes were investigated. As the average of three years, the greatest seed yield (SY) was obtained from genotype G5 (PI 451952) with 3156.3 kg·ha-1. It was followed by genotypes G4 (PI 525458) and G9 (PI 306686) with 3013.2 and 2977.1 kg·ha-1, respectively. Among the standard cultivars, the greatest seed yield (2750.4 kg·ha-1) was obtained from the Dinçer cultivar. The greatest oil content (OC) was obtained from the genotype G11 (PI 537665) with 36.5%. It was followed by the genotypes G9 (PI 306686) (35.4%), G6 (PI 537598) (35.4%) and G14 (PI 560169) (35.3%). Oil contents varied between 29.1-36.5%. Yield-trait relationships were assessed through both correlation analysis and GT (Genotype by Trait) biplot analysis. Based on the results of the two approaches, plant height (PH), number of branches (NB), number of heads (NH) and thousand-seed weight (TSW) were identified as the most significant selection criteria for yield from safflower. The combined use of correlation and biplot analysis in the assessment of relationships among the traits improved the chance for success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted in order to develop genetic information on heterosis and inbreeding depression for seed yield and its contributing characters using generation mean analysis in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). GMU-2720 x GMU-3423 (Cross-1) depicted a positive and significant relative heterosis, standard heterosis and heterobeltiosis for seed yield per plant. Cross-1 also revealed a significant desirable relative heterosis, standard heterosis and heterobeltiosis for number of others yield contributing traits. Negatively significant inbreeding depression was observed for the characters i.e., the number of branches per plant, the number of capitulum per plant, the number of seeds per capitulum, test weight and seed yield per plant in JMU-1339 x GMU-3423 (Cross -2). It was suggested that the parental genotypes GMU-2720 and GMU-3423 due to their presence in high heterotic combinations viz., GMU-2720 x GMU-3423 would be further exploited in future safflower breeding programme. The cross JMU-1339 x GMU-3423 exhibited a significant negative inbreeding depression for test weight, seed yield per plant and oil content. Hence, this cross would likely to yield beneficial transgressive segregants for these traits leading to the possibility of selecting superior recombinations for high seed yield and high oil content in F2 and succeeding generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrotime analysis can predict the germination of plants at reduced water potential (ψ). The effects of reduced ψ on seed germination properties in three safflower cultivars including Padideh, Faraman and Isfahan cultivars at 10, 20 and 30 ºC were analyzed using the hydrotime model. Five ψ values (0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) prepared in polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) solutions were used in the experiment. The results indicated that all three tested cultivars had the highest germination rate at 30º C and better tolerance to osmotic stress at 20º C. At 20º C, Faraman cultivar had the lowest medium base water potential [ψb(50)]. The standard deviation of ψb (σψb) among cultivars and temperatures could be as high as 0.52 MPa for the Faraman cultivar at 20º. Three tested cultivars had statistically different hydrotime constant (θH) at 10º C. The lowest ψb(50) for achieving 50% germination at 10º C was seen in the Isfahan cultivar, and at either 20º C or 30º C was seen in Faraman and Padideh cultivars. The suppressing effect of drought stress on seed germination was greater in Padideh and Faraman cultivars than that in the Isfahan cultivar. Overall, applying of hydrotime model allowed identifying osmotic stress-tolerant cultivars such as Isfahan during germination; and which might be helpful to seed germination prediction and providing more accurate information for sowing time of safflower. Abbreviations: ψ (water potential); PEG (polyethylene glycol); ψb(50) (medium base water potential); θH (hydrotime constant); σψb (standard deviation of ψb); MGT (mean germination time); FGP (final germination percentage). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to genetic erosion over evolution events, the genetic diversity of domesticated safflower species for drought tolerance is limited. Wild species has been considered as useful genetic resources for improvement of abiotic stress tolerance. In this study, a cultivated species (C. tinctorius) was crossed by two wild species (C. palaestinus and C. oxyacanthus) and the genotypes were purified until advanced generations. Then, 159 safflower recombinant lines derived from three inter-specific hybridizations were investigated during two years in terms of agronomical traits and drought tolerance at the research farm of Isfahan University of Technology. The results showed that there was considerable genetic variation in most of the agronomic and seed yield related traits among parental species and also between and within three crosses. The C. palaestinus and C. tinctorius had the highest value for seed yield under both normal and drought conditions. Under normal condition, the population derived from hybridization of cultivated species with C. palaestinus showed the highest seed yield and other agronomic traits. Therefore this population was superior relative to other populations. Under stress conditions, all three populations showed a potential for drought tolerance due to the inheritance of the resistance from two wild parents. In each of the three populations, transgressive segregants were identified for drought stress tolerance. Finally, the results revealed that the progenies of these crosses could be used to improve the seed and oil yield to promote this plant in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is considered as a main restriction to have the best potential crops performance in arid and semi-arid regions in the world. Hence, some mechanistic strategies are required to manage drought stress detrimental influences. Silicon as an essential mineral nutrient, plays an important role in physiology, metabolism, and function of crops exposed to drought stress. This study was carried out to evaluate the influences of various irrigation regimes and silicon foliar on three safflower cultivars to find the optimal irrigation level and silicon fertilizer. Three levels of irrigation (0, 2 and 4 times irrigation during growth) were main plots and sub plots were three silicon foliar levels (0, 1 and 2 mM) and three safflower cultivars (Goldasht, Padideh and Golmehr). This experiment was performed in Firouzabad city, Fars Province, Iran with latitude 28°51' N and longitude 52°36' E, during 2018 and 2019. Malondialdehyde content (MDA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), oil yield, oil content and seed yield were measured on these cultivars. Interactive effects of irrigation, silicon and cultivars were significant (p<0.01) for MDA, APX, oil yield and oil content. Drought stress in the all safflower cultivars caused a decline in seed yield, oil content and oil yield. On the other hands, silicon was mediated to decrease effect of drought stress and increased amount of seed yield, oil content, oil yield, PPO and SOD. The highest seed and oil yield were observed in Goldasht cultivar under full irrigation and 2mM silicon. Thus, it can be suggested that 1 mM of silicon foliar may ameliorate the performance of safflower exposed to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried out to determine genotype-by-environment interaction of safflower genotypes tested from 2014 to 2017. Konya, where the research was carried out, is the location with the most irregular and the lowest precipitation in Turkey. In this research, the variance analysis over years and genotypes showed that the main effects on genotypes made by year and genotype-by-year interaction were statistically significant (p<0.01) for all characteristics examined. The climatic conditions, especially the amount and distribution of precipitation, over the years allowed genotypes to perform substantially differently in seed yield and oil content of safflower genotypes. The biplot analysis provided significant advantages in identifying the promising genotypes. The genotypes showed similar patterns of performance across the years, while the amount and distribution of precipitation showed similar patterns. The experimental results revealed that the desired genotypes in terms of both stability and high yield, such as Göktürk, G7, and Dinçer, G5 and G9 and oil content, such as Göktürk, Balcı, and Linas, existed. In comparison to oil content, seed yield was more sensitive to environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effects of humic acid and iron applications on seed yield, some plant characteristics and oil ratio of Remzibey-05 safflower cultivar under Harran Plain conditions in the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 growing seasons. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block split plots design with three replications. The main plots were humic acid (HA) applications (0, 60 g ha-1, 120 g ha-1, 180 g ha-1 ), and the sub-plots were iron (Fe) applications (0, 12.5 kg ha-1, 25 kg ha-1 and 37.5 kg ha-1 ). Humic acid was sprayed onto the leaves and iron was applied to the soil when the plants were leading the stage of 4-5 leaves. The highest seed yield, number of heads per plant and dry petal yield per plant were obtained from 120 g ha-1 humic acid and 12.5 kg ha-1 Fe applications. The highest number of seeds per head was obtained from 180 g ha-1 HA and 12.5 kg ha-1 Fe applications while biomass yield was from 60 g ha-1 HA and 25 kg ha-1 Fe applications. In conclusion; 120 g ha-1 humic acid and 12.5 kg ha-1 Fe should be applied to increase seed yield, number of heads per plant and dry petal yield per plant in safflower agriculture under semi-arid climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]