EFFECT OF SOWING DATES ON SEED YIELD, YIELD TRAITS AND OIL CONTENT OF SAFFLOWER IN NORTHWEST TURKEY

The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of variety, location and sowing dates on some yield and quality traits of safflower. The field experiments of this study were carried out in spring season of 2017 and 2018 under ecological conditions of the Suleymanpasa and Malkara districts of Tekirdag. The experiment was laid out as a split plot design based on randomized complete block design with three replications, in which cultivars constituted the main plot with two varieties (Dincer and Balci), and sowing dates constituted the sub-plot with four dates (20 February, 5 March, 20 March and 5 April) in both locations. Results showed that variation in sowing dates had a significant effect on seed yield, oil content and oil yield of safflower variety. The seed yield was significantly affected by the sowing dates and it seriously decreased as sowing time was delayed (418 and 553 kg ha-1 higher in 20 February compared to 5 April in both production year). The highest seed yield was obtained from sowing on February 20 in 2017 and 2018 (1391.89 and 1493.44 kg ha-1, respectively). As a result, because of sowing dates is a crucial factor for seed and oil yield of safflower, sowing should be done as early as possible in the spring.