Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers: Effects on Growth Parameters and Phenol Content in Cultivated and Wild Safflower

The objective of this study was to compare growth parameters and phenol content of different safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cultivars and one wild species of safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha) under urea fertilizer and vermicompost treatments, to distinguish can we use vermicompost instead of urea fertilizer.

The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. A factorial randomized complete block design with seven replications was used. Experimental treatments were three vermicompost rate; three levels of nitrogen fertilizer; and three types of safflower.

The number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass weights significantly increased with vermicompost application. Urea fertilizer only increased the plant height. The interaction between plant cultivars and vermicompost was significant for phenol content. All growth parameters of safflower except dry biomass weight were significantly different between cultivars.

Wild safflower responded more than other cultivars to treatments so it can be used in plant breeding programs. Vermicompost treatment act better than urea fertilizer for growing of safflower, so it can be used instead of chemical fertilizer.