Determination of Seed Yield, Oil Content and Fatty Acid Compositions of Exotic and Local Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Genotypes

This study carried out to determine the differences between oil content and fatty acid compositions of 12 exotic and 6 local safflower genotypes. The experiments were arranged in randomized complete blocks design with three replications in research station of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The results of variance analysis showed that the differences of seed yield, oil content and fatty acid compositions of genotypes were significant. The highest seed yield was obtained form S-541, PI 537636 and Arak local (3008, 2671 and 2587 Kg/ha) respectively. The highest oil content and lowest hull was obtained form Bacum92 and Rio-70. The main fatty acid of linoleic, oleic, linolenic, palmitic and stearic acid composed 99% of the total fatty acids. The linoleic acid in seed oil of safflower genotypes was 54.05 to 77.25%, olic acid 12.98 to 35.44%, palmitic acid 6.01 to 7.23%, stearic acid 2.21 to 3.02% and linoleoic acid 0.01 to 0.41%. The oil stability of genotypes ranged between 0.168 to 0.655. The result showed that there was not significant correlation between the seed yield whit other traits. There was a negative correlation between the oil content and stearic acid (r = -0.488**), linoleic acid and oil stability (r = -0.973**) and oleic acid with linoleic acid (r = -0.968**). On the other hand, positive and significant relationship was obtaned between oleic acid and oil stability (r = 0.992**). The differences of seed yield, oil content, hull content and fatty acid composition of exotic and local safflower genotypes was significant. However, considerable variation was found among the genotypes for seed yield, oil and hull content and fatty acid composition. These genotypes have desirable potential for improvement of seed yield and oil quality, Thus for success in safflower breeding programs use to recommended Iranian safflower local and exotic genotypes.