How to grow safflower?
Answer
- Seedbed preparation
Safflower requires fine and firm seedbed, which should ne prepared early and be free from weeds. Plough and harrow to fine tilth.
- Planting
Planting can be done manually or using planters.
- Spacing: 40cm x 25cm or 50cm x 20cm
- Seed rate: 10-12 kg/ha
- Put 1-2 seeds per hill
- Planting depth: 2.5-5cm
- In dry areas, pre-soak the seeds in water for 24-48 hours and then dry under shade for 4 hrs before planting.
- Fertilization
It is always advisable to do a soil test. For high yields, 80kg N/ha (split-application at planting and start of elongation phase) and 50kg P205/ha at planting time.
- Variety selection
It is important to consider yield and oil content and tolerance to diseases (Alternaria leaf spot, rust, root rot) and pests (termites especially in dry climates)
Cultivars that are being evaluated by the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) that are promising are;
- Kiama Composite,
- PI407616 BJ-213 TURKEY,
- PI537598 SINA USA,
- PI30441 BJ-262 IRAN,
- PI537632-1038-USA,
- PI314650 MILUTIN 114 KHAZAKHSTAN,
- PI537634-1040-USA,
- PI537668 BJ-1085-USA,
- PI9819-KENYA,
- PI527710-USA,
- PI537636 and
- GILA.
- Common production systems
Pure stands and intercropping with cereals and traditional crops are the preferred systems.