Effect of Rows Spacing and Planting Density on Yield and Yield Component of Two Cultivars Safflower

Planting pattern through changing in vegetative growth and beneficiary by environmental factors effect on safflower yield and yield components. In order to evaluate effect of rows spacing and planting density on yield and yield components of two cultivars safflower, this study carried out in split plot factorial experiment on base of randomized complete block design with three replications at Research Field of Islamic Azad University of Karaj branch in March 2011. The main plot was rows spacing in three levels (30, 45 cm in flat planting and 60 cm in bed planting) and sub plots were cultivars in two levels (L5 and Goldasht) and plant density in two levels (35 and 45 plants.m-2). Measured traits include seed yield, number of stem.plant-1, number of head.plant-1, number of seed.head-1 and 1000 seed weight. Results indicate that rows spacing had no significant effect on number of stem.plant-1, number of head.plant-1, number of seed.head-1 and 1000 seed weight. But seed yield decreased by increase in row spacing. Plant density had no significant effect on number of stem.plant-1, number of seed.head-1 and 1000 seed weight, but had significant effect (P<0/05) on number of head.plant-1 and significant effect (P<0/01) on seed yield. Also plant density had significant effect (P<0/05) on number of head.plant-1. 1000 seed weight increased by increase in plant density, but seed yield, number of stem.plant-1, number of head.plant-1 and number of seed.head-1 decreased by increase in plant density. Highest level of seed yield obtained in 30 cm row space and 35 plants.m-2 in L5 cultivar with 5804/30 kg/ha. Lowest level of seed yield obtained in 60 cm row space and 45 plants.m-2 in L5 cultivar with 1685/78 kg/ha. As for optimum effect of safflower evenly dispensation in unit area and adaptation in bed planting method, it seems that this planting pattern would be suitable for spring planting of safflower under conditions similar to this experiment.