International Safflower Trials in China, India and Thailand

Li Dajue and  Peter Griffee

 Abstract

The Asian International Safflower Trials were carried out in Thailand, India and China in 1999-2000. The locations range from latitude 14º30’ to 44º00’N and longitude 77º55’ to 103º16’E. Nine cultivars (cvs) and a local cv were tested. The results showed that the highest oil yield is 1353 kg/ha for the cv KU-4038 in north China. If safflower is used as an oil crop, the cvs GW-9023, KU-4038 and GW-9007 can be popularized in India, the oil yield increased 17.6%, 12.4% and 5.9%, respectively, over the local cv. The cvs GW-9023, GW-9025, and GW-9024 and Acc 407 can be popularized in Thailand, as their oil yields are 342.6%, 50.2%, 25.6% and 7.0%, respectively, higher than that of the local cv. The cv GW-9025 and KU-4038 can be popularized in north China as it increased oil yields 19.2% and 11.0%, respectively, in comparison to the local cv. In consideration of the customs in China and India, the corolla is picked off for medicinal purposes; the cv with a red flower, spinelessness, and narrow branching angle would be much better than the cvs with the spiny and yellow flower. The price of safflower products in north China made by the farmer will be 4307 US$/ha for growing the cv KU-4038 while the best spiny cv, GW-9024, will be 3158 US$/ha.