Guide to Safflower Cultivation in India

Table of Content

• Introduction to Safflower Cultivation
• Economic Scenario of Safflower Production in India
• Varieties of Safflower Grown in India
• Steps to Safflower Cultivation
  • Soil Requirement
  • Climate
  • Land Preparation
  • Sowing & Seed Rate
  • Irrigation
  • Intercropping
  • Fertilizer management
  • Pest & Disease Control
  • Harvesting & Storage

Introduction to Safflower Cultivation

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is one of the important oilseed crops of the winter season. In India, it is known by different names, for example, Kusum in Hindi, Kusumba in Tamil, or Kardai in Marathi. It belongs to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family and is known for its vivid, yellow-red petals, which have earned it the nickname 'wild saffron' or 'false saffron'. Safflower is cultivated for the purpose of extracting edible oil. It is rich in linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The leaves and shoots of Safflower are consumed as leafy green vegetables since they are rich in vitamin A, Phosphorus, Calcium, and other nutrients. The flower is also used for animal feed and for the production of natural food colour or safflower dye.

Economic Scenario of Safflower Production in India

India is one of the top producers for safflower in India with around 90,002.46 metric tonnes of production in 2023. The production for the flower is concentrated in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka, which together account for over 90% of the country’s production. India also ranks fifth in the global exports of Safflower seeds, accounting for approximately 2.26% of the total global export value.

Varieties of Safflower Grown in India

Seed Division, GOI Website (seednet.gov.in) & ICAR Institutes.

Steps to Safflower Cultivation

Below, we have outlined step-by-step farming practices for successful safflower cultivation. Keep reading to learn more:

Soil Requirement

Safflower requires moderate to high fertile, deep, well-drained soil with good moisture retention, and a neutral pH of 5-8. Deep loams, clay loams, Alluvial and black cotton soils are considered best for high safflower yields. The crop is extremely sensitive to waterlogging, which can happen due to poor drainage or prolonged rain, leading to root rot and wilting. Safflower is also fairly tolerant to soil salinity; However, it can significantly reduce seed size and oil content.

Climate

The crop requires a cool and dry climate, making it primarily a rabi (winter) season crop. The ideal temperature for safflower cultivation is between 22 °C and 33 °C, with high yields achieved, and germination typically occurring at 15 °C. During the flowering period, the temperature should be around 24° to 32° C. Exposure to high temperatures or temperatures below freezing can potentially harm the crops and reduce yields. An annual rainfall of 60mm to 100mm is considered ideal. The crop is also highly drought-resistant; therefore, it can be grown in areas where dryland farming is more prevalent.

Land Preparation

Land preparation for Safflower starts during the summer season when deep ploughing is done in order to break up any hardpan soil and increase water infiltration. This is followed by 2 – 3 harrow sessions during kharif (monsoon) season. After which, the field is levelled to ensure a fine tilth, which can help in easy germination and reduce cases of waterlogging. The soil should be moist to a depth of at least one meter at the time of sowing for optimum seed establishment.

Sowing & Seed Rate

The ideal sowing time for safflower seeds in India starts from the last week of October to the first week of November. Though in some regions, sowing is done from the second fortnight of September to the second fortnight of October. The recommended seed rate for sole cropping is 4kg (10 kg per hectare) of seed per acre, which can vary according to the variety and sowing method. Seeds should be sown at a depth of 5cm, while maintaining a spacing of 45 x 20 cm.

Irrigation

Safflowers require 2-3 irrigations during various critical stages:

• Rosette stage (early vegetative, 30-35 days after sowing).
• Flowering stage (70-75 DAS)
• Seed Development stage (100-105 DAS)

The total water requirement can vary between 600-1200 mm. A light pre-shower irrigation is also recommended for adequate seed germination. However, over-irrigation and excess moisture can increase susceptibility to fungal diseases.

Intercropping

Intercropping in Safflower cultivation, particularly under rainfed situations, can help optimise land use and enhance production:

Common Safflower Intercrops

Chickpea: Chickpea + Safflower systems (6:3)

Lentils: Safflower intercropped with lentils (2:3)

Coriander: Coriander + Safflower (3:1)

Other possibilities include Fenugreek, cowpea, linseed, and onion, which are also suitable for intercropping with Safflower.

Nutrient & Weed Management

For adequate and balanced fertilization, incorporate 5 t/ha of well-decomposed FYM/compost 2-3 weeks prior to sowing.

Harrow between rows at 25 and 45-50 DAS to eliminate weeds and retain moisture. Additionally, pre-emergence spraying with Alachlor 50% or Pendimithalin 30% at 1 litre per acre one day after sowing can help in managing weeds.

Pest & Disease Control

Insect Management

• For leaf-eating caterpillars, spray with Quinalphos at 2 ml/l or Chlorpyriphos at 2.5 ml/l of water.
• To control aphids, especially in late-sown crops, spray Dimethoate (2 ml/l), Monocrotophos (1.6 ml/l), or Chlorpyriphos (2.5 ml/l).

Disease Management:

• Alternaria Leaf Spot: Spray Mancozeb at 2.5 g/l of water twice at a 7–10-day interval.
• Fusarium Wilt: Implement crop rotation with chickpea and grow-resistant varieties like TSF-1, NARI, and SH-1. Treat seeds with Carbendazim at 1 g/kg.

Harvesting & Storage

Safflower matures in 150-180 days, when plants start to turn brown and dry. Harvesting is usually done manually, during the early morning hours when there is dew, which helps prevent seed shedding and ensures the spines are soft. Plants are cut at the base using sickles or uprooted on black soil. Threshing is carried out by beating the dried plants with a stick or by using a thresher implement. Proper drying of the seed is necessary before storage. The moisture content of the seed should not exceed 8%. Additionally, harvesting petals 15-20 days after flowering can provide a source for herbal tea.