Guide to Safflower Cultivation in India

Table of Content

• Safflower Cultivation Overview
• Economic Scenario of Safflower Production in India
• Varieties of Safflower Grown in India
• What are the Steps to Safflower Cultivation
• Soil Requirement
• Climate
• Land Preparation
• Sowing & Seed Rate
• Irrigation
• Intercropping
• Common Safflower Intercrops
• Pest & Disease Control
• Harvesting & Storage

Safflower Cultivation Overview

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.

This medicinal plant 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.

What are different Varieties of Safflowers Grown in India?

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

What are the Steps for Safflower Cultivation?

Here are the step-by-step farming practices you need for successful safflower cultivation.

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

Safflower is a rabi crop that grows best in a cool, dry climate. It performs well at temperatures between 22°C and 33°C, with seed germination around 15°C. This is suitable for areas where dryland farming is common.

Land Preparation

For safflower cultivation, begin land preparation with deep summer ploughing to break hard soil layers and improve water infiltration. During the kharif (monsoon) season, harrow the field two to three times to achieve a fine soil tilth. Level the field properly to ensure good drainage and prevent waterlogging. Before sowing, ensure that soil moisture is adequate for up to a depth of about one meter to support proper seed germination.

Sowing & Seed Rate

The ideal sowing time for safflower seeds in India is from October to November. In some areas, sowing happens from mid-September to mid-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 irrigation is 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.

Final Thoughts

Safflower cultivation offers farmers a sustainable, economical, and profitable option, especially in dryland areas. With its low water requirement, drought resistant, and high oil value quality safflower remains a valuable crop for long-term agricultural sustainability.