Response of winter safflower genotypes to planting date in Farahan region

In order to evaluate the effects of planting date on yield and yield components of wintersafflower genotypes، this study was carried out in the Research Field of Farahan University in Markazi province in 2006. A split-plot arranged of treatment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Planting dates (23/9/2006، 7/10/2006، 22/10/2006، 6/11/2006، 21/11/2006، 6/12/2006) were assigned in the main plots and cultivars (L. R. V. 51- 51، zarghan-279، IL-111) in sub- plots. In this study characteristics such as plant height، number of branches per plant، number of boll per plant، number of grain per boll، 1000 grain weight، cold damage percent، oil percent and grain yield were assessed. The effects of planting date and the interaction effects of planting date and varieties were significant on traits such as number of boll per plant، number of grain per boll، cold damage percent and grain yield at the 1% level of probability (DMRT). Results indicated that second planting date with grain yield equal to 1893 (kg. ha-1) and L. R. V. 51-51 variety with grain yield of 1898 (kg. ha-1) were significantly superior to other treatments. Study of interaction effects between planting date and varieties، showed that the highest grain yield with average 2476 (kg. ha-1) and the lowest one with average 1120 (kg. ha-1) were obtained by L. R. V. 51-51 genotype at second planting date and by Zarghan-279 genotype at fifth planting date، respectively. The highest oil yield with average 477. 5 (kg. ha-1) and the lowest with one average 305. 6 (kg. ha-1) were obtained at second and sixth planting date، respectively. The purpose of fifth and sixth planting date، was to study thesafflower dormant seeding and climate of Farahan zone.