Evaluation of yield of safflower (Carthamus tinctoriusL.) genotypes under semi-arid conditions

Abstract

To identify appropriate genotypes for breeding varieties suitable for semi-arid areas, yield components, as well as morphophonological traits of 127 safflower genotypes, were assessed at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Iran. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct groups. The largest group (third cluster) includes 48 genotypes with characteristics such as mostly yellow-coloured flowers, mostly thorny with few thistle genotypes, relatively early-flowering, relatively high number of heads and grains per plant, highest 1000-grain weight with the highest grain yields. In contrast, the smallest group (second cluster) contains 13 genotypes with characteristics such as yellow florets, semi-dwarf, thorny, moderately late-flowering, low number of heads per plant and number of grains per head, low 1000-grain weight, and low grain yield. Principal component analysis results showed that the three components accounted for 29.5, 15.9 and 11.1% of the total variation, respectively. Graphic representation of the biplots based on the first and second principal components showed that the experimental genotypes were classified into four groups. The results also indicated that stem diameter, the number of branches, heads per plant and grains per head had the highest correlation with the first component, and grain yield, flower colour, flowering initiation and plant height had the highest correlation with the second component. These traits can be considered as an appropriate index for the selection of elite safflower genotypes for breeding varieties suited to cultivation in semi-arid conditions.

Crocus sativus L. Ecotypes from Mediterranean Countries: Phenological, Morpho-Productive, Qualitative and Genetic Traits

“…High flower production and stigma yield are the results of early flowering. This significant and negative correlation between phenological and productive traits is observed also in other crops, such as Salvia hispanica L. [50], Cucumis sativus [51], Carthamus tinctorius L. [52], and Digitaria exilis [53].…”

Effects of Genotype and Climatic Conditions on the Oil Content and Its Fatty Acids Composition of Carthamus tinctorius L. Seeds

“…It presents a substantial challenge to the sustainability of agriculture [67]. For this reason, studying the genetic diversity of safflower could provide valuable information on germplasm maintenance and utilization for breeders to improve breeding programs for semi-arid areas to ensure sustainable crop production [68,69].…”

Identification of cold tolerance and some agronomic traits of advanced safflower genotypes developed by hybridization

“…There is a positive and significant correlation between 1000 seed weight and seed yield. The 1000 seed weight is an important selection criterion that has an indirect effect on improving seed yield in safflower (Arslan, 2007a, b; Camaş & Esendal, 2006; Karimi et al, 2013; Mousavi Ojaq et al, 2020; Sirel & Aytac, 2016). Studies have shown that the 1000 seed weight in safflower varies between 24.7 and 47.8 g (Erbaş et al, 2016), 27.0 and 55.8 g (Arslan & Culpan, 2018), 21.7 and 53.1 g (Ali et al, 2020), 35.2 and 46.9 g (Arslan & Culpan, 2020), 38.0 and 41.0 g (Licata et al, 2023) and shows a wide variation.…”