Effect of winter and spring sowing on yield and plant traits of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

The aim of the study was to determine effect of winter and spring sowing on yield and plant traits of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars under Tekirdağ conditions. This research was conducted at Applying Research Field, Faculty of Agriculture University of Namık Kemal in 2006-2007. Fourteen safflower cultivars were used in this study. The research was conducted using a randomized complete block, split plot design with three replicates. Different sowing time significantly affected some agronomic characters of the genotypes used in this study. There was interaction between genotypes and sowing times. According to the results of this research; Yenice has showed the tallest values in winter sowing 207.5 cm for plant height, Montola 2000 has showed the smallest values in spring sowing 55.2 cm for plant height. GW 9003 has showed the highest values in spring sowing 45.4 gr for 1000 seed weight; Kazakhstan Population has showed the lowest values in spring values 36.7 gr for 1000 seed weight. Dinçer has showed the hightest values in winter sowing 357.0 kg/da for yield, Yenice has showed the lowest values in spring sowing 104.6 kg/da for yield. Dinçer has showed the highest values in winter sowing 103.8 kg/da for oil yield, Yenice has showed the lowest values in spring sowing 26.5 kg/da for oil yield. Montola 2000 has showed the highest values in winter sowing 36.9 % for oil ratio of gain; Yenice has showed the lowest values in spring sowing 25.3 % for oil ratio. According to the results of the study it was found that winter sown safflower varieties that annual precipitation is suitable.