Evaluation of 25 Safflower Genotypes for Seed and Oil Yields Under Arid Environment in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Seed and oil yields, their components and the relationships among yield and related traits were measured in 25 safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes, under arid conditions. The studies were conducted in sandy-loam soil at the experimental farm of Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt, during two seasons, 2009-10 and 2010-11. The trials were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant differences were observed at 1% probability level in plant height, number of branches and capitula per plant, 1000-seed weight, weight of seed per plant, oil content and seed and oil yields among the genotypes. The Line-1682 produced the highest plant height (199.7 cm), number of branches plant-1 (9.000), number of capitula plant-1 (25.69), weight of seed plant-1 (39.46 g), seed yield (2846 kg ha-1), seed oil content (36.50%) and oil yield (1039 kg ha-1), while Line-1687 produced the highest 1000-seed weight (49.13 g). The lowest values for above mentioned traits were obtained from Line-1679 except the lowest 1000-seed weight and oil content were resulted from Line-1671 and Line-1668, respectively. Oil yield expressed firm correlation with, plant height (r = 0.566**), branches per plant (r = 0.591**), capitula per plant (r = 0.625**), seed weight per plant (r = 0.863**), seed yield (r = 0.990**) and seed oil content (r = 0.711**).