EFFECT OF SOWING DATES ON SEED YIELD, YIELD TRAITS AND OIL CONTENT OF SAFFLOWER IN NORTHWEST TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of different sowing dates on some yield and quality traits of safflower varieties. The field experiments of this study were carried out in spring season of 2017 and 2018 under ecological conditions of the Suleymanpasa and Malkara districts of Tekirdag. Plots of the two safflower varieties (Dincer 5-18-1 and Balci) and four sowing dates (20 February, 5 March, 20 March and 5 April) were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in both locations. Results showed that variation in sowing dates had a significant effect on seed yield, oil content and oil yield of safflower variety. While the highest seed yield was obtained from the 1st (20 February) sowing date (1442.67 kg ha-1 ), the lowest seed yield was obtained from the 4th (5 April) sowing date (961.13 kg ha-1 ). The seed yield was significantly affected by the sowing dates and it seriously decreased as sowing date was delayed (481 kg ha-1 higher in 20 February compared to 5 April over the average of two years). As a result, because of sowing dates is a crucial factor for seed and oil yield of safflower, sowing should be done as early as possible in the spring.