Effects of Row Spacing and Seeding Rate on Seed Yield and Its Components in Safflower cv. Padideh in Tabriz Region

To determine the suitable row spacing and seeding rate for fall safflower cv. Padideh، an experiment was carried out in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of East Azarbaijan، Tabriz، Iran (46º and 2″ E، 37º and 58″ N) in 2010-11 and 2012-13 cropping seasons. A factorial arrangement including three row spacing levels (24، 36 and 48 cm) and four seeding rates (15، 20، 25 and 30 Kgh-1) in randomized complete block design with three replications، was used. Results showed that leaf per plant، crown diameter and dry weight per plant were lower in 24 cm row spacing. It led to yield decrease through decreasing plant per m2 by cold stress. Plant per m2 was the most important factor in determining seed and oil yields. It is concluded that increasing rows spacing in the rang of 24 to 36 cm in fall sown safflower and increasing seeding rate in the rang of 25 to 30 Kgha-1 could increase seed and oil yields in Tabriz region. This was achieved in 79-103 Plant per m2.