Abstract

The definition of the ideal plant population is important for good safflower agricultural management in Brazil, as they are gaining importance as oleaginous plant. Two experiments were conducted in an Rhodic Acrudox in 2014 in Cascavel, PR, Brazil, to evaluate the effect of plant density on growth, yield components and grain yield in safflower oil during autumn and winter seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications and four plant densities per meter (5, 10, 15 and 20 m). Densities of 14 and 16 plants per meter gave greater heights of plants during autumn and winter, accordingly. Increasing densities reduce the number of branches and chapters in autumn, but increase in the productivity of grains and oil. The oil content was improved by cultivating plants in winter, since the population of safflower in winter is higher as compared to fall. In safflower sown in autumn, between 15 and 16 plants per meter was sufficient for maximum grain yield and oil. The oil yield was 15% higher in autumn (992 kg ha-1) as compared to winter (858 kg ha-1).

Key words: Carthamus tinctorius L., oil content, oilseed.