Evaluating the effects of planting density on grain and oil yield of two safflower varieties under dormant seeding in dryland conditions

Document Type : Research Article

Abstract

In order to determine the best planting density for rainfed safflower, this experiment was conducted at the dryland agricultural research station of Shirvan in 2004 and 2005. A factorial experiment based on RCBD with four replications was used. Factors included three distances between row (25, 37.5 and 50 Cm), three distance between plants in row (5, 10 and 15 cm) and two genotypes (PI-537598 and 287). The effect of plant distance on row on flowering period length and capitols per plant was significant. With increasing plant distance on row, capitols per plant were increased. Row distance effect was significant on flowering period length, days to maturity, plant height, capitols/plant, seeds/capitol and 1000-kernel weight. Genotype PI-537598 had more seed yield than line 287. Effect was significant on stand, days to flowering, plant height, capitols/plant and TKW. The highest grain yield (606.6 kg/ha) belong to 25 cm row distance and 5 cm distance between plants in row and genotype PI-537598. The
effect of any factors weren’t significant on oil percentage. The highest oil percentage (30.74) belongs to 5 cm distance between plants in row and 37.5 cm row distance. Our results showed that the maximum grain and oil yield was obtained from density between 53-80 plants per square meter under entezary planting system of safflower in moderate cold dryland conditions.

20.1001.1.20081472.1388.7.1.1.9

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