Cluster Analysis of Some Safflower Genotypes using a Number of Agronomic Charachteristics

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an only oilseed crop which, is native to Iran where, is known as its diversity center. The genetic variation study provides valuable information about maintenance and their usage of germplasm for breeders to increase efficiency of breeding programs. In the current study, sixty-four genotypes were assessed for 20 agronomic nag morphological traits for genetic variation evaluation of in safflower. The number of wizened seeds per lateral capitulum trait had the greatest CV (coefficient of variation) while the diameter of lateral capitulum trait indicated the lowest CV. Also, some traits including seed weight of lateral capitulum, number of lateral branches, number of capitula per lateral branches, diameter of main capitulum, yield of single plant, thousand seed weight and seed yield showed relatively high CV amounts. Results of cluster analysis through morphological traits and based on Euclidean distance and Ward method showed that there were five different clusters. The genotypes of the third cluster had high values in some important traits such as thousand seed weight, seed yield and oil content while the genotypes of the other clusters were high in number of capitulum and harvest index traits. Cluster analysis according to agronomic and morphological traits could not separate safflower genotypes based on their geographical origins whereas Iranian genotypes were located in different clusters which shows Iranian genotypes had high genetic variation. Therefore, regarding this mismatch of genetic variation and geographical origin, it is better to select safflower genotypes for breeding programs using genetic variation. Also, local Iranian landraces can be used as a rich genetic source for safflower for breeding programs.