The effects of different sowing norms and row spacings on yield and yield components of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

This research was carried out on non-irrigated conditions in the 2013 and 2014 crop years in the Eastern Anatolian Agricultural Research Institute Pasinler Trial Station in order to determine the effects of different row spacings and sowing norms on the yield and yield components of two safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates and used a split-split plot treatment arrangement. Whole plot treatments were row spacings (20, 40 and 60 cm), subplot treatment were sowing norms (2, 4 and 6 kg / da) and sub-subplot treatment safflower genotypes (Dincer and Yenice). The differences between Dincer and Yenice genotypes were important in terms of the traits studied. Dincer was superior to Yenice for yield and yield components. Row spacings has significantly influenced the all traits investigated. Increased row spacings increased plant height, stem diameter, 1000 seed weight, number of branches, number of seed per head and number of head per plant, but delayed days to emergence, days to stem elongation, days to head maturity and days to maturity. As with row spacings, sowing norms have also influenced all the traits examined. Increases in sowing norms significantly reduced oil content, seed number per head, number of heads per plant, 1000 seed weight, stem diameter, number of branches, and increased seed and oil yield. The results obtained from this study revealed that the genotype Dincer is more suitable for safflower production under Erzurum dry conditions and that for this genotype optimum row spacing and sowing norm were 40 cm and 6 kg da-1, respectively.