VARIATIONS IN THE AGRONOMIC AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius L.) GENOTYPES

The present study was carried out to determine the agronomic and quality characteristics of domestic and foreign safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes in the 2011-2012 growing season in Isparta. In the study, 39 safflower genotypes were used as the plant material. The highest 1000 seed weight and hull content were detected in Ziyang. Arizona SC III was determined as the genotype with the lowest 1000 seed weight, hull content, seed yield, and oil yield. The highest seed yield was recorded in UC-1 (215.9 kg da(-1)). Oil contents of the genotypes ranged from 22.6 to 33.8% on average and Arizona SC 1111, Oleic Leed, Centennial, Finch, Ole, S-517, Enana and Leed were determined as the genotypes with the highest oil content. Variation for oleic acid was between 11.1 and 68.3% in 2011 and between 12.0 and 71.6% in 2012. Linoleic acid content varied between 18.0 and 74.7% in 2011 and between 14.2 and 73.9% in 2012. Montola 2000, Ole, UC-1, NO 55-663 and S-517 were found to contain more than 60% oleic acid. Both performances of the genotypes used in the study could further examined by cultivating in different locations and a successful hybridization program compatible with the desired goals of breeding may be drawn up using wide variations reported among the examined morphological and agronomic characters.