Development of Safflower as a Development of Safflower as a New Winter Crop New Winter Crop

for the Texas High Plainsfor the Texas High PlainsDick AuldDick Auld Calvin TrostleCalvin TrostlePlant & Soil SciencesPlant & Soil Sciences Extension AgronomistExtension Agronomist

Texas Tech Univ., LubbockTexas Tech Univ., Lubbock Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceTexas AgriLife Extension Service806.742.5704, dick.auld@ttu.edu806.742.5704, dick.auld@ttu.edu 806.746.6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu806.746.6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu

SafflowerSafflowerCarthamus tinctorius L.Carthamus tinctorius L.

Origin:Origin: Middle East Middle EastOil Content:Oil Content: 20-45% 20-45% Premium Oil:Premium Oil: Linoleic and Oleic Acid Linoleic and Oleic AcidDisadvantages:Disadvantages: Foliar and Head Rot Foliar and Head Rot

diseases. diseases. Advantages:Advantages: Very drought tolerant due Very drought tolerant due

to extensive root system (3 to 10 feet).to extensive root system (3 to 10 feet).““The best location to grow safflower The best location to grow safflower

may be where it doesn’t rain after may be where it doesn’t rain after flowering.”flowering.”

SafflowerSafflowerCarthamus tinctorius L.Carthamus tinctorius L.

Like many oilseed crops, can you Like many oilseed crops, can you justify making fuel out of this oil which justify making fuel out of this oil which has valuable food and industrial uses?has valuable food and industrial uses?

““If you can grow wheat, you can grow If you can grow wheat, you can grow safflower.”safflower.”

SafflowerSafflowerCarthamus tinctorius L.Carthamus tinctorius L.

Planting experience so far suggests Planting experience so far suggests that safflower establishes relatively that safflower establishes relatively easilyeasily

Testing at Pecos among spring types Testing at Pecos among spring types indicates ready establishment under indicates ready establishment under salty conditionssalty conditions

Spring SafflowerSpring Safflower Best time to plant?Best time to plant? Seed germination can Seed germination can

handle cold temps handle cold temps down to 40 Fdown to 40 F

Initial High Plains Initial High Plains seeding is best seeding is best probably in March, probably in March, maybe even late Feb.maybe even late Feb.

Later plantings may Later plantings may suffer from heat and/or suffer from heat and/or Botrytis head rotBotrytis head rot

What about July What about July plantings with maturity plantings with maturity in the cool fall?in the cool fall?

Most current Most current commercial varieties commercial varieties are springare spring

Winter SafflowerWinter Saffloweron the Texas High Plainson the Texas High Plains

Compliment existing winter wheat Compliment existing winter wheat production with higher potential return.production with higher potential return.

Higher yield potential and fewer Higher yield potential and fewer disease problems than spring safflowerdisease problems than spring safflower

Introduce a new oilseed crop into the Introduce a new oilseed crop into the regionregion

Research CalendarResearch Calendar

2006-2007:2006-2007: Evaluated 30 accessions of Evaluated 30 accessions of safflower that had exhibited Winter safflower that had exhibited Winter Hardiness.Hardiness.

2007-2008:2007-2008: Evaluated 8 accessions with Evaluated 8 accessions with good Winter Hardiness for Seed Yield & good Winter Hardiness for Seed Yield & Irrigation Efficiency Across the State of Irrigation Efficiency Across the State of Texas.Texas.

2008-2009:2008-2009: Expanded Research Plots and Expanded Research Plots and Initial Commercial Production Plots (12 Initial Commercial Production Plots (12 acres).acres).

2007-2008 Trials2007-2008 Trials

Planted 8 Lines on September 15, 2007. Planted 8 Lines on September 15, 2007. Planted on subsurface drip with tape 8-Planted on subsurface drip with tape 8-

10 inches below root zone on 40 inch 10 inches below root zone on 40 inch centers.centers.

The five irrigation regimes were 2.6, 3.2, The five irrigation regimes were 2.6, 3.2, 3.7, 4.2, and 5.5 inches of Irrigation,.3.7, 4.2, and 5.5 inches of Irrigation,.

Site had 11.8 inches of Precipitation Site had 11.8 inches of Precipitation during growing season.during growing season.

Environmental ConditionsEnvironmental Conditions

First freeze occurred October 23, and First freeze occurred October 23, and first hard freeze November 22.first hard freeze November 22.

Low for winter occurred in early February Low for winter occurred in early February (5(5oo F) resulting in no further stand loss. F) resulting in no further stand loss.

Seven of eight accessions demonstrated Seven of eight accessions demonstrated a minimum of 80% stand survival a minimum of 80% stand survival through the winter of 2007-2008.through the winter of 2007-2008.

September 21, 2007September 21, 2007

January 11, 2008January 11, 2008

May 19, 2008May 19, 2008

May 19, 2008May 19, 2008

6/19/08, notice maturity range6/19/08, notice maturity range

June 19, 2008June 19, 2008

ResultsResults

Seed oil content was 24-28%Seed oil content was 24-28%

(Spring Safflower 38-44%) (Spring Safflower 38-44%) Excellent irrigated seed yields Excellent irrigated seed yields

(1,800 to 2,400 lbs/A)(1,800 to 2,400 lbs/A)Two maturity groups Two maturity groups

(Mid-June & early July)(Mid-June & early July)No insect pestsNo insect pestsNo disease problemsNo disease problems

ConclusionConclusion

Highest Seed Yields from the 3.7 inch Highest Seed Yields from the 3.7 inch Irrigation Rate (Total of 15.5 inches of Irrigation Rate (Total of 15.5 inches of Water).Water).

Winter Safflower Winter Safflower AppearsAppears to have Higher to have Higher Water Use Efficiency but Equivalent Water Use Efficiency but Equivalent Winter Survival, Maturity and Seed Yield Winter Survival, Maturity and Seed Yield Potential as Winter Wheat in this Region.Potential as Winter Wheat in this Region.

Crosses are being made to Increase Oil Crosses are being made to Increase Oil Content & Develop High Oleic Acid Lines.Content & Develop High Oleic Acid Lines.

Winter TypesWinter Typesvs. Springvs. Spring

Total oil yield per acre for winter hardy and Total oil yield per acre for winter hardy and spring types may be similarspring types may be similar

Due to less likelihood of disease, efficient Due to less likelihood of disease, efficient use of water, lower weed competition, use of water, lower weed competition, however, we think that winter safflower however, we think that winter safflower could be more advantageous economicallycould be more advantageous economically

Taller winter hardySafflower in center vs.non-hardy spring typein front (almost alldead), Hale Co., TX

Production Issues (1)Production Issues (1)

MarketsMarketsDreamland Industries, AbileneDreamland Industries, AbileneCalifornia Oils (markets into Texas?)California Oils (markets into Texas?)

Crushing facilitiesCrushing facilitiesAvailability of seedAvailability of seedN fertilizer will be needed, 80-100 lbs. N/A N fertilizer will be needed, 80-100 lbs. N/A

for irrigatedfor irrigatedWhen to plant, especially for spring typesWhen to plant, especially for spring types

Most safflower is drilled, rows reduce advantageMost safflower is drilled, rows reduce advantage

Production Issues (2)Production Issues (2)

Yield potential in Texas needs to be establishedYield potential in Texas needs to be established Herbicides for safflower—what weed problems Herbicides for safflower—what weed problems

can you handle with:can you handle with: EPTC (Eptam)EPTC (Eptam) Trifluralin/ethalfluralin (Treflan/Sonalan)Trifluralin/ethalfluralin (Treflan/Sonalan) s-metolachlor (Dual)s-metolachlor (Dual) Sethoxydim (Poast Plus)Sethoxydim (Poast Plus) Clethodim (Select Max)Clethodim (Select Max)

Direct harvest with combineDirect harvest with combine

Funding provided byFunding provided by

This event also made possible, in This event also made possible, in part, by generous support from the part, by generous support from the City of Plainview Convention & City of Plainview Convention & Visitors Bureau.Visitors Bureau.