Saffar, new early mature canola variety suitable for cultivation in areas with limited cultivation season and delayed cultivation in warm climates of southern and northern Iran

Saffar (Zabol 10b line) variety was obtained by pedigree method from Goliath×19H cross. Based on preliminary evaluation, this variety showed significant earlier maturity (13 day), in 2010-2011, compared to the other lines of canola. Based on adaptability expieriments in Zabol, Safiabad, Behbahan, Boushehr, Gorgan, Gonbad, Sari and Moghan regions in 2011-2012, its grain yield had not significant difference from control variety RGS, but had a high early maturity. The new variety had a lower rank variance which indicates the Less performance fluctuations and stability in different years and regions compared to control variety RGS. Saffar cultivar with 165 days growth period was 12 days earlier in maturity than control variety RGS in warm south and north regions. The oil content of new variety was 43.15%, which has not significant difference with control variety RGS but in terms of having higher amounts of oleic acid and lower amounts of linolenic acid, it has a better quality. The field response of new variety to stem sclerotinia disease showed good relative tolerance in the north climate, which has significant difference with control variety RGS. Based on outstanding features such as yield stability, early maturity, possibility of escaping from drought and heat in the last season, saving at least one irrigation stage and uniformity in maturity, this line was released with the name of Saffar in 2018 and recommended for late cultivation in warm areas with short growing seasons in warm south and north climate zones of the country such as the south of Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Khuzestan and Gorgan.