Morphological characterization in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes

An investigation was conducted at AICRP on Safflower Research Station VNMKV, Parbhani during the Rabi 2023-24. Evaluation of twelve safflower genotypes along with three check varieties to study the Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) traits, in a randomized block design with three replications. The study adhered to National Test Guidelines for DUS key morphological traits were assessed, including first leaf length, petal color, days to 50% flowering, seed color, plant height, capitulum diameter, oil content, weight of 1000 seeds, seeds per main capitulum, leaf dentations, and primary branch length. Significant variability was noted in plant height, seed weight, hull content, seed number per capitulum, and oil content among genotypes, indicating distinct morphological characteristics. Notably, the days to 50% flowering varied from early PBNS-216 (87 days), to Late PBNS-197 (104 days). All genotypes had yellow petals, whereas PBNS-216, PBNS-224, and PBNS-197 showed golden yellow at faded stage. PBNS-217 had the shortest plant height (74 cm) among all genotypes. The average weight of 1000 seeds was 46.86 g and ranging from 44.8 g in A-1 to 62.3 g in PBNS-220. Hull content in PBNS-201 and PBNS-221 showing extremes of 40 % and 41%, respectively. PBNS-216 had the highest seed number per capitulum, while PBNS-197 had the lowest (16). Oil content was significantly higher in PBNS-227 (38.68%) and lower in PBNS-12 (29%), with an average of 33.84%. These findings highlight the potential of these traits for safflower genotype identification and further use in crop improvement in safflower.