Effects of plant spacing on grain yield and yield components of safflower (cv. Sina)

In order to study the effects of different planting pattern on yield and yield components of safflower cv. Sina, a field experiment was conducted in summer season of 2008. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. Main plots were row spacing (30, 40 and 50 cm) and subplots were within row distance (5, 7.5 and 10 cm). Results indicated that the highest and the lowest grain yield was produced at 50 and 30 cm (2848 and 2157 kg.ha-1) row spacing treatments, respectively. With an increase in row spacing, the grain yield increased that might be attributed to higher heads per plant (22.2) and biological yield (5518 kg.ha-1). Within row distance did not have any significant effect on yield and yield components. The highest yield was produced by 50*10 cm planting pattern.