RESPONSE OF HYBRID AND OPEN-POLLINATED SAFFLOWER TO PLANT-POPULATION

Four safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars were evaluated at five plant populations in experiments over 2 yr at three North Dakota locations. Differences in achene yield due to plant population were not significant. Hybrid AGC-353 produced significantly higher achene yield than the other cultivars. Number of capitula per plant and achenes per capitulum were the yield components most influenced by plant population. Cultivar effects were significant for all yield components. Plant population did not influence achene oil content; however, significant differences among genotypes occurred. Cultivar S-541 and hybrid AGC-353 produced significantly. higher and lower achene oil percent, respectively, than the other cultivars. The significantly higher hull content of hybrid AGC-353 compared with the other cultivars caused the low oil content.