Effect of using seaweed on yield components, seed and oil yields of safflower genotypes in saline soils of the Tabriz plain

Background and Objective: The research aimed to study effects of seaweed on yield components, seed and oil yields of fall safflower, and select high-yielding genotypes to cultivate in saline and marginal soils of Tabriz plain.
Methods and Materials: An experiment was conducted as a split plot based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications in East Azarbaijan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center during 2022-23. The experimental factors were foliar application of seaweed extract including control and spraying during flowering stage (4 ml m-2), and second factor included 14 safflower genotypes.
Results: The effect of seaweed on safflower led to a significant increase in plant height, capitula per plant, 1000-seeds weight and seed and oil yields. The effect of seaweed on genotypes was significantly different. The correlation between capitula per plant and 1000-seeds weight with seed and oil yields were positively significant. The genotypes having higher capitula per plant and 1000-seeds weight indicated higher seed yield. The correlations among plant height and seed and oil yields were significantly positive.
Conclusion: The seed and oil yields of PI560166 genotype increased 1463 and 493 Kg h-1 respectively by seaweed extracts treatment. The genotypes PI426521, PI250204, PI752444, PI572441, PI259994, and PI525458 were indicated in the next steps respectively. Cultivating them and foliar spraying of seaweed extracts on plants during the flowering stage will lead to an economically acceptable yield. Therefore, expanding safflower production in the saline and marginal areas of Tabriz plain and regions with similar climates is possible.