Productivity of dye safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) depending on sowing methods and rates in the dry steppe of Eurasia

Safflower is a crop capable of withstanding the harsh summer conditions of a sharply continental climate. Its biological properties allow it to produce seeds for the production of vegetable oils suit-able for food and industrial purposes. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal seeding methods and rates for safflower seed production in the chestnut soil zone and dry steppe of Eurasia. It was found that the highest safflower yield was achieved with a row spacing of 15 cm and a seeding rate of 350,000 seeds – 1.13 t/ha. The lowest yield was achieved with a wide-row spacing of 45 cm and a seeding rate of 450,000 seeds/ha – 0.61 t/ha. The study's results are highly significant, as confirmed by statistical analysis.