Safflower genotypes and time of picking flores influenced mineral and proximate variables

Safflower thrives in regions which are mostly characterized by water deficit, salinity, and infertile soils. The capability of safflower to withstand abiotic stresses and its multipurpose uses makes this crop important for food sufficiency and nutritional security, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).Micronutrient deficiencies have become a serious worldwide predicament especially in ASALs where diets lack variety. The objective of this study was to explicate how safflower genotypes and time of picking flores may affect mineral content and proximate variables of flores. The results indicated that there was significant (p<0.05) genotypic and time of picking on mineral content and proximate variables of safflower flores. The safflower flores mineral contents ranged between 423-524 (Ca), (258-306 (Mg), 2214-2328(K), 195-250(Na), 10.3-20.2 (Fe), 1.4-2.7 (Zn) mg/100g depending on genotype, time of harvest, and season of planting Proximate variables ranged between 74.9-80.3, 2.9-4.6, 1.0-2.8, 2.5-3.4, 5.2-8.6 and 3.8-10.1% for moisture, crude fibre, crude protein, fat, ash and carbohydrate contents, respectively depending on genotype, time of harvest, and season of planting. Safflower flores mineral and proximate variables contents indicated genotype and environment interaction. The results revealed that ground safflower flores can be added to foods during cooking, smoothies or taken as herbal tea as food supplement for the supply of Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn apart from other health benefits especially in the ASALs where diet variety is limited. In conclusion the spineless genotype Turkey was excellent for high mineral content. The optimum time for safflower flores to be picked to optimize both mineral and proximate variables contents was inconclusive.