Deviations of some nutrient concentrations in different parts of safflower cultivars during growth stages

The objective of this research was to examine the concentrations of P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn during growth and development in different parts of 4 safflower varieties. The nutrient concentrations of safflower showed variations depending on the varieties and plant parts at different stages of growth and development. Both phosphorus and potassium concentrations in all plant parts (except P concentration in head) decreased from shooting to maturity. Phosphorus concentrations in heads were higher than other parts at every stage of the growth and development in all varieties. Iron concentrations in the roots, stems and leaves showed quite deviations during the periods, Zinc levels in all parts of varieties showed the similar tendency without big deviations until the first blooming. After this stage concentration of Zn showed irregular increases and decreased at harvest again (except root zinc concentration). Mn levels of the root, stem and head in all varieties decreased through the end of the period. But in leaf, Mn concentrations increased through the harvest generally.