Safflower is xerophytic in nature and is bestowed with unique features of salt and drought tolerance. In Pakistan, it is grown only in Sindh and Baluchistan. In 2008-09, its national average yield was 890 kg/ha. Safflower seed contains 25-37% oil. Its oil is of drying type with iodine number upto 149 and contains little linolenic acid and high percentage of oleic acid and linoleic acids.
Safflower is xerophytic in nature and is bestowed with unique features of salt and drought tolerance. In Pakistan, it is grown only in Sindh and Baluchistan. In 2008-09, its national average yield was 890 kg/ha. Safflower seed contains 25-37% oil. Its oil is of drying type with iodine number upto 149 and contains little linolenic acid and high percentage of oleic acid and linoleic acids. Safflower oil is human health friendly and can be blended with other edible oil or can also be used directly for edible purpose. Keeping the importance of this oilseed crop, the following experiments were conducted for the genetic improvement and breeding high yielding and spineless varieties.
Province wise area, production and yield of safflower
Year | Punjab | Sindh | NWFP | Balochistan | Pakistan |
(Area in hectares) | |||||
2000-01 | – | 49 | – | 12 | 61 |
2001-02 | – | 45 | – | 11 | 56 |
2002-03 | – | 51 | – | 10 | 61 |
2003-04 | – | 61 | – | 9 | 70 |
2004-05 | – | 48 | – | – | 48 |
2005-06 | – | 47 | – | – | 47 |
2006-07 | – | 58 | – | – | 58 |
2007-08 | – | 66 | – | – | 66 |
2008-09 | – | 73 | – | – | 73 |
(Production in tonnes) | |||||
2000-01 | – | 36 | – | 8 | 44 |
2001-02 | – | 34 | – | 7 | 41 |
2002-03 | – | 41 | – | 6 | 47 |
2003-04 | – | 43 | – | 6 | 49 |
2004-05 | – | 35 | – | – | 35 |
2005-06 | – | 38 | – | – | 38 |
2006-07 | – | 49 | – | – | 49 |
2007-08 | – | 60 | – | – | 60 |
2008-09 | – | 65 | – | – | 65 |
(Yield kgs per hectare) | |||||
2000-01 | – | 735 | – | 667 | 721 |
2001-02 | – | 756 | – | 636 | 732 |
2002-03 | – | 804 | – | 600 | 770 |
2003-04 | – | 705 | – | 667 | 700 |
2004-05 | – | 729 | – | – | 729 |
2005-06 | – | 809 | – | – | 809 |
2006-07 | – | 845 | – | – | 845 |
2007-08 | – | 909 | – | – | 909 |
2008-09 | – | 890 | – | – | 890 |
Source: Agric. Statistics of Pakistan, 2008-09
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Soil: Light and heavy mera soil with good drainage
Seed bed preparation: 2-3 ploughings with planking.
Planting Time:
Irrigated area: 20 October to 20 November
Rainfed area: 15 October to 15 November
Seed rate (drill):
Irrigated area: 8 kg/acre or 20 kg/ha
Barani area: 7 kg/acre or 18 kg/ha
Method of Planting: With hand drill in lines
Rows Spacing: 45 cm
Plants Spacing: 10-15 cm
Fertilizer: Irrigated areas: One bag urea + one bag DAP
(½ urea at first irrigation)
Barani areas: One bag urea + one bag DAP
(All at bed preparation)
Irrigations: 2-3 (first irrigation, 1½ to 2 month after sowing)
(Second irrigation at flowering)
Weed control: Weeding with Tarphali or rotary hoe after first irrigation
Weeding with Tarphali or rotary hoe after Second irrigation
Harvesting and Threshing: When 90-95% capsules mature and leaves colour becomes brownish harvest the crop.
Storage: Store at about 8 to 10 percent moisture contents
Key Reference : parc.gov.pk
