Evaluation of yield and seed fatty acid compositions of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars in Shirvan region

This research was aimed to study the effects of autumn and spring sowing on seed yield، oil content and fatty acid compositions of five safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars in Shirvan region. The experimental design was a split plot in randomized complete blocks design with three replications، conducted in research field of Shirvan College of Agriculture، Ferdowsi University of Mshhad during 2010-2011. Main plots were allocated to two sowing times (autumn and spring) and the sub-plots included five safflower cultivars. Cultivars were Cina، CW-4445، Sahuripa- 88، Ghocahan local and Isfahan local. The results of variance analysis showed that the seed yield، oil content and fatty acid compositions were affected by sowing date. Seed yield and oil content obtained in autumn sowing (2330kg/ha، and 29. 5%) were greater as compared to the spring sowing (1550kg/h، and 27. 5%). The highest seed yield was obtained from Cina in autumn sowing (2989kg/ha) and CW-4445 in spring sowing (1789kg/ha). Sahuripa-88 had the highest oil content in autumn and spring sowing. The fatty acid content of palmitic، stearic acid and oleic increased significantly in autumn sowing. The fatty acid content of linoleic and linolenic decreased significantly in autumn sowing with high oil stability. According to the obtained results، seed yield، oil content، fatty acid compositions and oil stability of cultivars showed significant diffrences. Our results demonstrated that the sowing time and variety may have an important effect on seed yield، oil content and quality of safflower seed. Cina، CW-4445، and Ghochan local cultivars showed desirable potential for cultivation of safflower as well as increasing the area under cultivation.