Selection for drought resistance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars

In order to determine the best drought resistance indices and identify the resistant genotypes, 10 spring safflower cultivars were sown at drought and non-drought conditions based on randomized completely block design with three replications. Assessment of simple correlation coefficients among drought resistance indices and seed yield of cultivars showed that GMP and STI enabled to identify cultivars having high potential yield and tolerant to drought stress and because of that were recognized as the best resistance indices. Biplot graphical display designed that Sterling, Nebrasks 10, land race Kuseh and Gila were the most drought resistance cultivars and U. S. 10 was the most drought susceptible. Classification of cultivars using biplot analysis revealed that crosses between Sterling, Nebraska 10, Landrace Kuseh and Gila with S 149 cultivars having maximum genetic distance were qualified to recommendation for genetic improvement of yield potential and drought resistance via selection in spring safflower cultivars.