Effect of planting pattern on yield and some agronomic traits of new safflower variety, Sofeh

Determining of suitable planting pattern for new crop varieties is very important to obtain maximum seed yield. Study of Sofeh planting pattern was conducted at the Kabootar-Abaad Agriculture Research Station of Esfahan during 2010-2011. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with four replications was used. Main plots were four row distances (25, 35, 45 and 55 cm) and sub plots were three plant densities (30, 40 and 50 plants m 2 ). Physiological ripening stage period was not significantly affected by row distance and plant density. Increasing in plant density caused increasing branches. Row distance and plant density had a significant effect on no. of heads per plant and no. of heads per m 2 . Because of competition among plants, as row distance and plant density increased, no. of heads per plant decreased. By increasing row distance no. of head per m 2 decreased, but by increasing plant density it increased and this had a similar trend to no. of plant per m 2 variations. No of seeds per head significantly affected by row distance, but not affected by plant density. As row distance increased no. of seeds per head increased and this can be related to decreasing of no. of heads per plant. Effects of row distance and plant density were not significant on main head diameter, 1000 seeds weight and oil percent. Generally by increasing density plant seed yield decreased, but seed yield increased. Competition among plants is the reason for decreasing plant seed yield and more no. of plant per m 2 is the reason for increasing of seed yield. The highest seed yield (2428 kg h -1 ) obtained from 25 cm row distance and 50 plants per m 2 .