Safflower is commonly known as "khusambha, kusum" are oldest cultivated oilseed which contain 24-36% oil. Safflower is largely used for cooking purposes. Its decorticated cake is utilized for feeding cattle.

Maharashtra and Karnataka are major safflower growing state.

Safflower is grown on maximum variety of soil. It is well grown in drained sandy loam soil and the soil which is rich in organic matter.

AKS 207: Ready to harvest 120-135days after sowing. Developed by PDKV, Akola. Gives average yield of 5qtl per acre. 

PKV PINK: Developed by PDKV, Akola.Ready to harvest in 130-135days. 

NARI-H-15: It’s a hybrid formed at Phaltan (Maharashtra), released in 2005 for irrigated areas for the entire country with 28% oil. It is tolerant to aphids.

NARI-H-1: Ready to harvest in 130-135days. Gives average yield of 4.8-5.6qtl/acre. 

Malvika Kusum (HUS 305): Ready to harvest in 160days. Gives oil content of 36%.

Bheema: Ready to harvest in 130-135days. Gives average yield of 5-6qtl/acre.

Phule Kusum: Ready to harvest in 130-140days. Gives average yield of 5.6-6.4qtl/acre.

Phule Chandrabhaga: Ready to harvest in 130-140days. Gives average yield of 8-8.8qtl/acre.

Phule Kusuma: Ready to harvest in 135-140days. Gives average yield of 5.6-6.4qtl/acre.

Other States Variety

K – 65: Ready to harvest in 180-190days. Gives average yield of 5.6-6qtl/acre with 30-35% oil content.

DSH-129, MKH-11, Parbhani Kusuma (PBNS-12), NARI-NH-1 (PH- 6),

J.S.F 1: Flowers are of white color with bold and white seeds. Variety having 30% oil content. Gives average yield of 600-640kg/acre. 

J.S.F 7: Variety having yellow color flowers which turn into orange on maturity. Seeds are small and of white color with 32% oil content. Gives average yield of 520-560kg/acre. 

J.S.F 73: Variety having yellow color flowers. Seeds are bigger than J.S.F 7 and content 31% oil. Gives average yield of 560-600kg/acre. 

J.S.F 97: Variety with yellow color flower which turned into orange on drying. Variety having 30% oil content. Gives average yield of 600-640kg/acre. 

J.S.F 99: Orange color variety with 29% oil content. Gives average yield of 440-480kg/acre.

Ploughed land for several times and bring soil to the fine tilth. Also, removed all weeds and make land weed free. Avoid low lying areas as it cannot withstand in water logged situations. Before sowing ensure that sufficient soil moisture should present in soil, it will help in proper and quick germination.

Safflower follows Kharif crop like mash, fodder, moong, maize, soybean etc.

Time of sowing

Complete sowing in second fortnight of September to first week of October.   

Spacing

For sowing, use Plant to Plant spacing of 45cm and row to row spacing of 20cm

Sowing Depth

Sow seeds at depth of 3-5cm. 

Method of sowing

Sowing is done through drilling method. 

Seed rate

For sowing, use seed rate of 4-5kg for one acre.

Seed Treatment

The seeds must be treated with Captan or Thiram orCarbendazim@ 3gm/kg of seed before sowing. Healthy and disease free seeds must be soaked in water for overnight for better germination.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Overall, safflower crop required, 20kg of Nitrogen i.e. (45kg of urea), Phosphorus@16kg i.e. (SSP@65kg). Drilled all these fertilizers before seed sowing.

Safflower is extremely vulnerable to weed while rosette phase which ends around 25-30 days as well as two month or even more in other areas with long term winter. The area must be retained weed-free within this crucial period via regular weeding with intercultural 1-2 times. Pre-plant use of Trifluralin @ 0.2kg/acre or EPTC@0.2kg/acre or pre-emergence use of Atrazine @ 0.3kg/acre or Alachlor @0.6kg/acre is used for efficient weed regulation in safflower.

Carry out thinning operation, 15-20days after sowing and remove weak, diseased seedlings.

Safflower is drought resistant crop. But if irrigation facility is available, then provide first water after 50 to 55day and second during flowering stage. For area where soil is less moist, apply one heavy pre- sowing irrigation, it will be beneficial for better growth.

• Pests and their control:

Safflower aphid: These are seen on tender shoot, leaves as well as stem it make the plant look weak and some areas are dried up.

Control: Spray 100 ml Chlorpyriphos 20EC in 100 ltr of water/acre. If required can be repeated even after 15 days.

Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae): Its appearance is like burnt on the plant.

• Disease and their control:

Wilt and heat rot: In this plant turn yellow later with brown and finally die. Sclerotic are fungus type which is seen on the crown, adjoin root areas, and stem.

Control: Use Healthy and disease free seeds. Soil should not be piled up around stem in rainy season.

Safflower matures in 150-180 days. Harvesting should be done in mid may when the flowers turn in yellow brown in color.