Field analyses and morphological assessment of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Genotypes in different seed sizes

Field and laboratory analyses such as germination rate and percentage /GR,GP/, seedling emergence rate and percentage /SER,SEP/, 50% mean emergence time /MET/, and some quantitative traits of four Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars /Mahalli Esfahan, Goldasht, Padideh, Sina/, in three sizes of seed /small: 2-3mm, large: > 3mm and control: no sorting/, were investigated under two separate experimental conditions in Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute Karaj-Iran, during (2009-2011). Both experiments were conducted in a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design, with three replications. The field results showed that cultivars Goldasht and Padideh were superior than other cultivars. Also large seeds with the highest amount of SEP (80.75%), 1000-SW (51.96g), Seed Yield (230.75g/m2 ), were superior compare to control and small seeds. In the laboratory, traits such as /GP/, fresh and dry /F,D/ weight of root and shoot were significantly different, so that cultivars Padideh and Goldasht with large seeds displayed better reaction. Since Goldasht and Padideh were superior to other cultivars. In addition, creating vigorous seedlings by large seeds, using cultivars with adequate food storage and selecting large seeds with more germination potential recommended obtaining proper density and greater yield.