EFFECT OF IRRIGATION AND PHOSPHORUS ON SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS-TINCTORIUS) YIELD IN RAJASTHAN

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 to study the effect of irrigation and phosphorus levels on yield of safflower (Carthanius tinclorius L.). Two irrigations applied to safflower either at rosette + flowering or rosette + seed-setting stages gave significantly higher yield (1.52 tonnes/ha), yield attributes (16.7 heads/plant and 18.1 seeds/head), net return (Rs 6.340/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (1.47) compared with 1 irrigation. Application of 26.4 kp P/ha gave significantly higher seed yield (1.43 tonnes/ha) and oil yield (439 kg/ha) than the control and 13.2 kg P/ha, However, irrigation level did not affect the oil content in seed. Interaction effect of irrigation and P on seed yield was significant. Application of P @ 26.4 kg/ha gave additional net return of Rs 1 095/ha compared with 13.2 kg/ha and of Rs 2470/ha compared with the control. Highest mean consumptive use (377 mm water) was recorded when safflower received 3 irrigations (rosette + flowering + seed-setting stages) and highest water-use efficiency (4.37 kg/ha-mm) was obtained when 2 irrigations were applied at rosette + seed-setting stages.