SAFFLOWER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AT THE

SAFFLOWER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AT THE

NIMBKAR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NARI)

Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI),

P.O. Box 44, PHALTAN-415 523, Maharashtra (India)

INTRODUCTION

1. Background

Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius L. is a member of the family Compositae or Asteraceae. It is cultivated mainly for its seeds, which yield edible oil. Traditionally, the crop was grown for its flowers, used for coloring and flavoring foods and making dyes. The medicinal uses of flower in China have become known to the rest of the world in last few years rekindling the interest in this crop. Some of the various uses of safflower have been listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Safflower uses

Plant part	Product	Uses
(1) Seed	i) Quality edible oil containing polyunsaturated fats ii) Meal left after oil extraction	Associated with lowering of blood cholesterol Used as animal feed
(2) Flowers	i) Natural food and cosmetic coloring (Carthamin dye) ii) Dyes (Carthamidin and carthamin) iii) Medicines	Gives yellow to bright orange color to food products and cosmetics such as lipsticks Give crimson, rose, pink or light pink color to cotton yarn Extract of florets contains amino acids, minerals and vitamins and is used in treatment of many illnesses such as menstrual problems, cardiovascular disease and pain and swelling associated with trauma as well as in tonic tea
(3) Whole plant	i) Tender shoots and thinnings or nippings ii) Dried stalk or straw	Used for preparing a nutritious vegetable or grazed Used as a fodder similar to cereal straw or as fuel for biomass gasifiers to produce energy and char for soil conditioning

Safflower is one of humanity’s oldest crops, but has remained a minor crop with world seed production around 600,000 t per year. Over 60 countries grow safflower, but one-third the production takes place in India. The plant has a strong taproot, which enables it to thrive in dry climates.

Traditionally in India, safflower is grown only as a rainfed, winter crop on residual soil moisture. Also generally it is intercropped with cereals such as wheat and sorghum.

Fig. 1. Field of NARI-6

Despite its reputation as a drought-tolerant and hardy crop, the research carried out at NARI in the late 1960s showed that safflower gives good response to management practices such as irrigation, fertilizer application and pest control. For example the application of one or two irrigations to safflower crop at critical growth stages could boost the seed yield by as much as 50 percent. Likewise the use of recommended fertilizers and timely management of pests also had similar effects on seed yield in safflower. Since 1975, NARI has been a center under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Oilseeds to work specifically on "irrigated" safflower.

For last 35 years, NARI has been working to popularize safflower among farmers as a pure crop to be grown under 1 to 3 irrigations depending on availability of water.

2. Highlights of work done at NARI

I) Development of spiny and non-spiny varieties and hybrids of safflower giving high seed yield, oil content and having inbuilt tolerance to wilt for minimal irrigation

Table 2. Characteristics of safflower varieties/hybrids released by NARI

Sr. No.	Name of cultivar	Year of release and recom-mended region of production	Average seed yield (Kg/ha)	Increase in seed yield over check (%)	Oil content (%)	Characteristics
1.	Nira (Spiny variety)	1986 Maharashtra	1576	24 Bhima	31.5	Early maturing, aphid-tolerant and widely adapted.
2.	NARI-6 (Non-spiny variety)	2000 All India	1074	20 JSI-7	35	High oil containing, tolerant to foliar and wilt diseases. Produces dark red flowers.
3.	NARI-NH-1 (First non-spiny hybrid in the world)	2001 All India	1936	10 A-1	35	High oil containing, tolerant to foliar and wilt diseases.
4.	NARI-H-15 (Spiny hybrid)	2005 All India	2201	19 NARI-NH-1	30	Early maturing, tolerant to aphids and wilt.
5.	NARI-38 (Spiny variety)	2007 All India	2038	9 A-1	31	First wilt-tolerant variety released for commercial production in India.

i. Development of thermosensitive genetic male sterility (TGMS) system in safflower. TGMS lines in safflower show 100% sterility during winter and complete fertility when grown in summer. The average minimum and maximum temperatures during reproductive phase of safflower were recorded to be < 13 to 32⁰C respectively in winter and > 21 and 39⁰C respectively in summer. The TGMS-based hybrids irrespective of the season they are grown in, exhibit complete fertility.

ii. The best TGMS hybrid recorded an increase of 45% in seed yield over the CMS-hybrid check MRSA-521 under rainfed conditions during winter 2007-08.

iii. Safflower varieties in pipeline consist of varieties giving high seed yield along with high oil content in seed (37-40%) and inbuilt tolerance to wilt.

iv. Safflower genotype viz. 238-14-2 and fasciated derivatives of an interspecific cross between C. palaestinus and C. tinctorius were identified as expressing apomixis. The apomixis in safflower was observed to be aposporic, pseudogamus and facultative in nature. Efforts are underway to determine the frequency of apomictic plants in the said genotypes for their possible utilization in safflower improvement.

v. Ten spiny and three non-spiny genetic male sterile lines have been developed from two different genetic male sterility sources identified at NARI. In addition to these, six dwarf male sterile lines have also been developed. These make it possible to identify male sterile (MS) and male fertile (MF) plants at about 40-45 days after sowing, making roguing out of MF plants relatively easy.

Technology for the production of seeds of spiny and non-spiny safflower hybrids based on genetic male sterility system has also been developed.
Developed cytoplasmic male sterility systems in safflower through mutagenesis with streptomycin treatment and by interspecific crossing.
Studied genetics of flower yield and its components in safflower in order to develop varieties and hybrids producing high petal and seed yield.

II) Development of suitable technology for growing safflower under limited irrigation

Highest seed yields could be obtained when

i. Safflower was planted in the first week of October.

Plant population of about 100 thousand/ha was maintained.
Fertilizer containing 60 Kg/ha N (in split doses) and 30 Kg/ha P₂O₅ was applied to the crop.
Two irrigations - first at elongation (35 days after sowing) and second at flowering stage (75 days after sowing) were applied, in addition to a pre-sowing irrigation.
Crop was protected against diseases such as alternaria leaf spot and wilt and insects such as aphids and heliothis.

III) Studies on safflower flowers (florets) and popularization of safflower florets as a herbal health tea

A safflower capitulum (head) is nothing but an inflorescence containing many florets arranged in several circles (Fig. 2). Safflower flowers are known to possess many medicinal properties for curing several chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, male sterility, female infertility, respiratory diseases etc.

Fig. 2. Safflower capitulum

In addition to their medicinal uses safflower flowers are also highly nutritious. In order to determine nutritiveness and suitability of safflower flowers of Indian cultivars for human consumption, flowers of non-spiny variety NARI-6 and non-spiny hybrid NARI-NH-1, developed at NARI were analyzed for biochemical composition at CFTRI, Mysore. The flowers of both the cultivars were found suitable for human consumption and were highly nutritive. Their biochemical properties are furnished below:

Table 3. Nutritional composition of flowers of safflower variety NARI-6 and hybrid NARI-NH-1

Nutritive parameters

NARI-6

NARI-NH-1

Total sugar, % by wt.

Protein, % by wt.

Potassium, mg/100 g

Calcium, mg/100 g

Magnesium, mg/100 g

Iron, mg/100 g

Sodium, mg/100 g

Manganese, mg/100 g

Zinc, mg/100 g

Copper, mg/100 g

7.36

12.86

3992.00

558.00

207.00

55.10

1043.00

4.34

2.88

4.73

11.81

10.40

3264.00

708.00

142.00

42.50

17.00

4.70

2.60

1.10

Table 4. Amino acid composition of flowers of non-spiny safflower hybrid NARI-NH-1

Sr. no.

Amino acid

(g %)

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

Aspartic acid

Glutamic acid

Serine

Glycine

Histidine

Arginine

Threonine

Alanine

Proline

Tyrosine

Valine

Methionine

Cysteine

Isoleucine

Leucine

Phenylalanine

Lysine

Hydroxyproline

5.09

9.78

6.02

6.97

2.27

5.72

4.78

8.66

8.96

2.81

6.77

1.49

0.18

5.63

8.63

5.28

5.35

5.63

· A simple and easy to use method of color extraction from safflower flowers has been developed and the suitability and concentrations of dye required to color sweets and snacks have been determined.

A pleasant tasting safflower tea, using safflower flowers as the main ingredient mixed with other aromatic herbs to enhance its aroma and quality for mass acceptability has been developed.
Dried safflower flowers are being sold as herbal health tea in 25 g packets. They can be mixed with regular tea or a pure extract can be made. It has a very attractive colour and pleasant flavour.
Pharmacological investigations of safflower tea were carried out to study efficacy and safety of safflower tea, when given as an add-on therapy in patients suffering from mild hypertension by Dr. U. M. Thatte, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacology at BYL Nair Charitable Hospital and T. N. Medical College, Mumbai. The study concluded that the addition of safflower tea (three cups a day) to the ongoing antihypertensive monotherapy successfully reduced the blood pressure in patients of mild hypertension. It was observed that in safflower-treated group, the percentage decrease in blood pressure was more between day 0 and day 15 as compared to that between day 15 and day 30. This may be attributed to one or more of the three reasons :
The compliance of the patient might have decreased from day 15 onwards due to cumbersome method of tea preparation. The ready to dip sachets can be an alternative.
Patients might have developed tolerance. In this case the dose of safflower may need to increase after day 15.
The safflower may have lost potency after day 15. It is therefore recommended to conduct stability testing after regular time intervals.

It was felt that collecting florets and selling them should be able to give good remuneration to farmers. However, spiny nature of the plant was a hindrance to flower collection. For this reason, non-spiny varieties and hybrids were bred at NARI. In addition to 2000 to 2500 Kg seed, the hybrids were found to yield 200 to 250 Kg petals per hectare. This should give a net profit of about Rs. 30 to 35,000/- per hectare to the farmers from the non-spiny safflower hybrids. From spiny safflower hybrids, farmers get a net profit of about Rs. 15 to 20,000/- per hectare. For farmers to get extra income from the petals, we have developed a battery-operated knapsack type petal collector (Fig. 3). This will enable them to increase their net profit from spiny hybrids to Rs. 25,000/- or more per hectare. These net profit figures also compare favorably with those from other winter crops such as wheat or gram, which give a net profit of about Rs. 25 to 30,000/- per ha.

Fig. 3. Battery-powered petal collector

During last two years we have sold about 60 Kg petals as herbal tea on an experimental basis. The response from the consumers has been quite positive.

ONGOING R & D PROGRAM

i. To develop spiny and non-spiny safflower varieties and hybrids giving high seed yield and oil content with inbuilt resistance to wilt.

To determine critical temperatures inducing male sterility and fertility in thermosensitive-genetic male steriles in safflower in order to identify suitable agro-ecological zones for seed production of TGMS-based hybrids and the maintenance of TGMS lines.
To perfect the cytoplasmic male sterility systems to develop CMS-based hybrids in safflower.
Development of agro production technology to grow safflower under limited irrigation.
Management of safflower diseases.

SERVICES OFFERED

· NARI can help in procurement of bulk quantities of safflower petals (florets).

NARI can supply seed material of high seed and flower yielding, spiny and non-spiny safflower varieties/hybrids.
NARI can transfer parental material of newly developed spiny and non-spiny hybrids to interested parties on royalty basis.
NARI promotes herbal health tea prepared from dried florets of safflower.
NARI can provide petal collectors for purchase and also transfer its technology to interested buyers.

Acknowledgements

The major source of funding to safflower improvement at NARI for over 35 years and continuing till to date has been from Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. Some funding for ad-hoc projects has also been received from Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding received from all the agencies is thankfully acknowledged.

References

1. Singh, Vrijendra, M. K. Galande, S. R. Deshmukh, M. B. Deshpande and N. Nimbkar. 2001. "Identification of male sterile cytoplasm in safflower". In : Proceedings Vth International Safflower Conference, Williston (North Dakota) and Sidney (Montana), USA. July 23-27, 2001. pp. 123-126.

2. Singh, Vrijendra, N. Nimbkar and A. K. Rajvanshi, 2001. "Safflower Research and Development at Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)", In : Proceedings Vth International Safflower Conference, USA. July 23-27, 2001. pp. 117-121.

3. Nimbkar, N. 2002. Safflower rediscovered. Times Agricultural Journal. 2(1) : 32-36.

4. Singh, Vrijendra, M. B. Deshpande and N. Nimbkar. 2003. NARI-NH-1 : The first non-spiny hybrid safflower released in India. Sesame and Safflower Newsletter. 18 : 77-79.

5. Rajvanshi, A. K., 2005. "Safflower Petal Collector", In : Proceedings VIth International Safflower Conference, Istanbul, Turkey from June 6-10, 2005. pp. 80-85.

6. Singh, Vrijendra, J. H. Akade and N. Nimbkar. 2007. Existence of apomixis in safflower. Extended Summaries. National Seminar on “Changing Global Vegetable Oils Scenario : Issues and Challenges Before India : January 29-31, 2007, DOR, Hyderabad. pp. 110-111.

7. Singh, Vrijendra and N. Nimbkar. 2007. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). In : Singh, R. J. (Ed.). Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering and Crop Improvement : Oilseed Crops, Vol. 4, CRC, Boca Raton, FL 33487-7742, USA, pp. 167-194.

8. Nimbkar, Nandini. 2008.Issues in safflower production in India. In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

9. Singh, V., J. H. Akade and N. Nimbkar. 2008. Identification of aposporic embryo sac development in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn). In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

10. Singh, V., S. R. Deshmukh, M. B. Deshpande and N. Nimbkar. 2008. Potential use of thermosensitive genetic male sterility for hybrid development in safflower. In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

11. Singh, V., N. M. Kolekar and N. Nimbkar. 2008. Breeding strategy for improvement of flower and seed yields in safflower. In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

12. Singh, V., A. M. Ranaware and N. Nimbkar. 2008. Bioefficacy of antagonists against root-rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) of safflower. In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

13. Singh, V., A. M. Ranaware and N. Nimbkar. 2008. Breeding for Fusarium wilt resistance in safflower. In Knights, S. E. and Potter, T. D. (Eds.) (2008). Safflower : Unexploited potential and world adaptability. Proceedings of the Seventh International Safflower Conference, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

Safflower staff

1. Dr. Vrijendra Singh, Senior Breeder

2. Mr. M. B. Deshpande

3. Mr. J. H. Akade

4. Mr. S. V. Choudhari

5. Mr. Abhijit Ranaware

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December 2008