Growing safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.)

20092003 Second print1998 First print

Compiled by Directorate Agricultural Information Services Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

In cooperation with ARC-Grain Crops Institute

Printed and published by Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Obtainable from Resource Centre, Directorate Agricultural Information Services Private Bag X144, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa

Also available on the web at www.DAFF.gov.za/publications

Information provided by

ARC-Grain Crops Institute (ARC-GCI) Private Bag X1251, Potchefstroom, 2520 Tel: 018 299 6100 • Fax: 018 294 7146

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Crop rotationSafflower should be grown in rotation with small grains or maize and not directly after dry beans, sunflower, mustard and canola, to prevent Sclerotinia (white mould).

Seedbed preparationThe crop requires a clod-free seedbed with enough moisture for good germination and establishment.

Safflower is an annual oilseed crop which is well adapted to drier areas. It produces an oil rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids which plays an important role in reducing blood cholesterol levels. Seed-oil content ranges from 30 to 40 %.

Safflower is a thistle-like plant with a central branch stem, a varying number of branches and a tap-root system. Each branch has 1 to 5 flowers (yellow or orange), containing 15 to 20 seeds.

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Planting dateSafflower should be sown during November and December after good rains. Soil encrustation can be a major problem in emergence and establishment of the crop. If crust formation has occurred, a light harrow cultivation may help to break up the crust and improve emergence. Care must be taken, however, not to damage the seedlings.

Rate and depth of sowing Sowing rate of 7 to 10 kg/ha is recommended. Row width should be

45 cm and 20 cm in the row. Safflower is usually planted at a depth of 30 to 50 mm.

Fertiliser requirements Fertiliser requirements depend on soil analyses, yield target and other

crops in the rotation system. Safflower has a deep root system allowing the plant to utilise nutrients

that may not be available to small-grain crops. In a double cropping system only 15 to 25 kg N/ha (45–90 kg LAN/ha)

may be necessary, otherwise 50 kg N/ha (180 kg LAN/ha) is needed. Under rainfed conditions, apply fertiliser deep (10 cm) in the seed

furrows to avoid contact with the seed.

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Yield potentialYields of 800 to 1 200 kg/ha may be achieved with improved production and protection technology.

Weed control Do not attempt to grow safflower without a good weed-control

programme, because weed competition can be a serious problem. It should be noted that no herbicide is registered for use on safflower in

South Africa.

Diseases The most serious diseases may be alternaria leaf spot and pseudomonas

bacterial blight. Planting of disease-free seed is recommended. Before planting seed may be treated with a fungicide. Safflower should never be planted on the same field for 2 consecutive

years.

Couch grass Pigweed

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Insect pests Safflower is relatively free of insect attacks. If significant populations of insects occur, contact your extension officer

for recommended control measures.

Harvesting and threshing Safflower is mature and ready to harvest when most of the leaves have

turned brown and the stems are dry, but not brittle. Seeds should rub off freely from the least mature heads.

Seed moisture content should be 8 % or less. Safflower is very spiny, therefore caution should be used when threshing

by hand. During harvesting, rain may still occur and it is therefore necessary to

harvest as soon as the flower heads are ripe, because rain may lead to substantial yield loss and also sprouting in the head.

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MarketingContracts should be negotiated prior to planting.

Seed availabilityLimited quantities of seed may be available from small seed merchants.