EFFECTS OF RHIZOBACTERIA INOCULATIONS ON AGRONOMIC AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius L.) UNDER UNFERTILIZED CONDITIONS

Safflower is an important, but ignored oil crop species in Türkiye and it is necessary to increase seed yields to increase the cultivation of the crop. The present study was carried out to determine the effects of rhizobacteria seed inoculation on agronomic characteristics and fatty acid contents of safflower cultivars in 2019-2020 crop seasons in Isparta. Seeds of Dincer 5-18-1, Linas and Montola 2000 were inoculated with Bacillus species before sowing. Results showed that year, cultivar and applications had significant effects on 1000-seed weight, seed and oil yields. Seed weights of the rhizobacteria inoculated cultivars increased significantly and was higher (38.5 g) than uninoculated seeds (36.3 g). Seed yields were higher for both years for rhizobacteria inoculation. Seed and oil yields increased in rhizobacteria inoculated seeds by 20% and 18%, and reached to 128.8 and 34.0 kg da-1, respectively compared to uninoculated seeds (107.2 and 28.6 kg da-1). Seed inoculations increased linoleic acid and decreased oleic acid contents in Dincer 5-18-1 and Linas. Seed inoculations with rhizobacteria could be used as an easy, practical and efficient approach to improve plant growth, seed and oil yields of safflower under field conditions.