SAFFLOWER

Safflower is commonly known as "kusumbhra, 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. In Uttar Pradesh, its cultivation is mainly concentrated in Bundelkhand regions. Safflower cultivation is profitable under irrigated conditions.

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

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

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

Other States Variety

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

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.
 

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.

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

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrients Value (kg/acre)

Apply 16 kg of Nitrogen i.e. (35 kg urea) and Phosphorus@8 kg i.e. (SSP@50 kg) per acre. If soil nutrient is low apply phosphorus and all these fertilizers should be drilled before sowing.

Time of sowing
Optimum time for sowing seeds is Middle of October to mid of November.

Spacing
Use Plant to Plant spacing of 15 cm and row to row spacing of 45 cm

Sowing Depth
Sow seeds at depth of 4-5 cm.

Method of sowing
Sowing is done through drilling method.

Seed rate:
For sowing, use seed rate of 7-8 kg for one acre.

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

 

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@400 ml/acre or pre-emergence use of Atrazine @ 0.3 kg/acre or Alachlor @0.6 kg/acre is used for efficient weed regulation in safflower.

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

This crop can be grown even in areas where irrigation is not required if soil is moist as seasonal varies. Water is necessary during the flowering stage so one irrigation is required in 30 days for better yield. For area where soil is less moist, apply one heavy pre- sowing irrigation, it will be beneficial for better growth.

Insect Pest and their control
Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae): Its appearance is like burnt on the central whorl as well as plant.

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 250ml Chlorpyriphos 20EC in 100 Ltr of water/acre. If required can be repeated even after 15 days.

Disease and their control

Wilt and heat rot: In this plant turns into yellow latter with brown and finally die. Sclerotic are fungus type which is seen on the crown, adjoin root areas, and stem.
Control: Use Healthy and diseased 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.