Effects of Planting Date on Grain Yield, Yield Components and Oil Content of Safflower Spring Cultivars in Tabriz

        In order to evaluate the seed and oil yields and yield components in spring safflower during different planting times and study the possibility of  reducing growth period with the conservation of yield, an experiment was carried out in Khosrovshah station of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of East Azarbaijan, Iran in 2014. A factorial experiment including 4 planting dates (30^th Marth, 9^th, 19^th and 29^th April) and 3 spring safflower cultivars (Goldasht, Soffeh and Sina) based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications, was used. The results showed that simple and interaction effects of studied factors were  significant on the capitulum relative growth rate, plant height, capitulum diameter, capitula per plant, seeds in capitulum, 1000 seeds weight, oil percent, seed and oil yields. Among yield components, capitula per plant showed positive and significant correlation with the seed and oil yields. In addition, cultivars under consideration  had the higher seed and oil yiels on 30^th Marth of planting time. In cultures 30th Marth and 9^th April, Soffeh had higher seed and oil yields but the cultivation of  Goldasht on 19^th  April and late sown of Sina on 29^th  April showed the highest production of yields. The correlation of  plant height with capitula per plant, seeds in capitulum, seed and oil yields was positive and significant. It seems that, by planting in Tabriz plain during late Marth and early April can be achieved acceptable performance in spring safflower with respect to the principles of better agronomic during stem stage.