Parnian, a new spineless and early safflower cultivar, suitable for relatively cold and warm regions of Iran

Parnian cultivar was primarily selected from Isfahan landraces and for more evaluation for its yield and other agronomic traits was tested along with 14 cultivars in four different environmental conditions including Karaj, Isfahan, Darab and Varamin. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block designs with 4 replications for two years (2013 -2015). The results showed significant differences among the genotypes. Different stability analysis methods were used to determine stable genotypes. Parnian was selected as a desirable genotype based on its highest grain yield (2794.2 Kgha-1), lowest coefficient of variation (CVi) and lowest environmental variance compared to other genotypes. In addition, the Parnian cultivar was selected as the best genotype in Karaj, Darab, Isfahan and Varamin with an average grain yield of 2894 Kgha-1 for two years under saline soil conditions. Results of on-farm trails in Khodabakhsh, Gasemabad and Mastikhoon in Zabol region (2015-2016) showed that Parnian had grain yields of 2947, 2598 and 2865 Kgha-1, respectively (10%, 6% and 23.5% higher than Soffa check cultivar respectively). The new cultivar, was also 10 days earlier than check cultivar.