Safflower Production A870
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NDSUNDSU EXTENSION EXTENSION EXTENDINGEXTENDING KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE CHANGING CHANGING LIVES LIVES A870 (Revised August 2019) Safflower Production Revised by Jerald Bergman, Agronomist Hans Kandel, Extension Agronomist Utilization and Description bad cholesterol, promote muscle health Agronomics and improve heart health. High-linoleic Safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.) is an Safflower is a thistlelike plant with a strong safflower oil also is used as an ingredient in annual oilseed crop adapted primarily to central branch stem, a varying number of soaps, sunscreens, lotions, moisturizers and the cereal grain areas of the western Great branches and a taproot system. Each branch cosmetics for hydrating the skin and to help Plains. In North Dakota, safflower has been usually will have from one to five flower reduce inflammation and speed healing. grown in experimental test plots since 1928 heads containing 15 to 20 seeds per head. and on a commercial basis since 1957. High-linoleic oil is valued as a drying The seed oil content ranges from 30 to Acreage has been concentrated in the agent in paints and varnishes because of 50%, depending on variety grown and western part of the state. Safflower is its nonyellowing characteristic, and as a environmental conditions. Flower color well-adapted to western North Dakota and source of conjugated linoleic acid. The meal, is usually yellow or orange, although South Dakota, as well as eastern Montana. which is 24 to 36% protein, depending on some varieties have red or white flowers. the variety, is used as a protein supplement Safflower provides three principal for livestock and poultry feed. Plant height in North Dakota varies products: oil, meal and birdseed. between 15 and 30 inches, depending on Supplementation of sheep diets with Safflower oil consists of two types: the variety and environmental conditions. high-linoleic safflower oil (3 to 6% of the those high in monounsaturated The taproot of safflower can penetrate diet) has increased levels of unsaturated fatty acid (oleic) and those high in to depths of 8 to 10 feet in deep soils. polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic). fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid Because of its deep taproot system, in the lean meat tissue without adversely safflower is more tolerant to drought The predominant oil market is for those affecting growth performance or carcass than small grains and other oilseed crops. varieties that produce seed high in oleic characteristics. acid and very low in saturated fatty acids. In western North Dakota, safflower Supplementation of high-linoleic safflower High-oleic safflower oil is lower in saturates typically is sown in April or early May. in beef heifers also has improved body and higher in monounsaturates than olive Seedlings generally emerge in one to condition and animal performance. oil. High-oleic oil is a beneficial agent in three weeks. Supplementation of Nutrasaff safflower the prevention of coronary artery disease. fed up to 3% of dietary dry matter helped A young plant spends two to three weeks Oil from this type of safflower is used as improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization in the “rosette” stage while producing a heat-stable cooking oil to fry such food for milk production in lactating dairy cows leaves and its taproot system. Safflower items as french fries, chips and other snack and to improve milk fatty acid profile and tolerates temperatures as low as 20 F items. It also is used in cosmetics, food milk quality. while in the rosette stage. coatings and infant food formulations. Safflower seed also is marketed as Safflower is very susceptible to fall frost High-linoleic safflower oil also is used in birdseed. This industry predominately injury during the flowering period and seed human nutrition as a nutritional supplement markets the white hull or normal hull type development. Safflower has potential as an to reduce body fat and inflammation, lower of safflower, even though striped and partial alternative forage crop in the event an early hull types are higher in oil and protein killing fall frost occurs before crop maturity. content. The birdseed market does not Relative forage value peaks at or just after have a preference for a fatty acid type. the bloom stage and decreases in relative Safflower makes an acceptable livestock forage value as the safflower reaches forage when cut at or just after the bloom maturity. During a season when safflower stage in the event early frost kills the plants failed to mature due to unusually cool, North Dakota State University before seed ripening. Fargo, North Dakota wet growing conditions and earlier than Planting Dates, Fertilizer Requirements normal fall killing frosts, dry-matter yields Safflower will root deeper than small ranged from 1 to 3 tons per acre and quality Rates, Row Widths grains. This allows the safflower plant analyses showed that safflower hay had Optimum planting dates for safflower in to utilize deeper positioned nutrients, 8 to 10% crude protein with acceptable western North Dakota are between April 20 such as nitrogen (N), that are unavailable fiber levels. and May 10. Early planting allows the crop to take full advantage of the entire growing to small grains and other crops. Plants begin forming floral buds in late season. Earlier planting usually shows no Nitrogen is most often the limiting nutri- June and flower in mid to late July. advantage unless soil temperatures reach ent on nonfallow land. Phosphorus can be The bloom stage usually lasts 14 to 40 F for seed germination. limiting on fallow and nonfallow land, and 21 days, depending on stand density, safflower responds well to phosphorus. available moisture and variety. Cruiser 5FS or another registered product is recommended as a seed treatment in Local climate, soil type and management The crop matures about four weeks fields when wireworms were a problem (timeliness of planting, plant population, after flowering ends. In North Dakota, in previous crops. Planting after May 20 variety, weed control, etc.) influence safflower normally requires 110 to increases the risk of fall frost injury that yield. The NDSU soil test data and 120 days from emergence to maturity. reduces seed yield and quality. Delayed recommendations (Extension publication planting may delay the harvest to the SF882, “North Dakota Fertilizer Safflower grows best on deep, point that mechanical drying of the seed is fertile, well-drained loam soils Recommendation Tables and Equations”) necessary. Late planting generally results in with good water-holding capacity. can be used. shorter plants, less rooting depth, decreased It also can thrive in coarser-textured Because safflower roots penetrate to depths soils of lower water-holding capacity branching, and lower seed and oil yields. of more than 4 feet, sampling to depths when rainfall amount and moisture Use high-quality seed that has good greater than 2 feet would increase the distribution are adequate. germination (above 80%) and is treated accuracy of fertilizer recommendations. for prevention of seedling diseases. Safflower is similar to barley in tolerance to Safflower seedlings are not vigorous. Soil Yield potential should be realistic, based saline soils. Safflower is an excellent crop to crusting can reduce stand establishment. on longtime averages and the management grow in recharge areas because its taproot ability of the grower. Yields have ranged system can access surplus water below the Planting depths of 1 to 1.5 inches are from 500 pounds per acre when moisture rooting depth of small grains and utilize optimum. Recommended seeding rates was limiting or weed and/or disease the water during its full growing season. are from 15 to 30 pounds per acre of pure pressures were high, to more than live seed. The lower seeding rates result In North Dakota, the crop is best adapted 2,500 pounds per acre under conditions in more branches forming, a longer west of a north-south line through Minot relatively free of weeds, diseases and flowering period and later maturity of and Bismarck. In this area, dry atmospheric insects and when adequate moisture the crop. Higher seeding rates result in conditions usually prevail during the and fertility were available. less branching and thicker stands with blossoming and seed-filling stages. higher incidence of disease. The total N recommendation is 80 pounds East of this line, higher humidity and per acre. Total N includes soil available N morning dew increase leaf and head If possible, place seed into moisture; and credits based on previous crop. diseases and reduce seed set, both of however, do not seed safflower deeper which can reduce yields. However, the than 2 inches. Usually uniform emergence The method of nitrogen application will use of fungicides and varieties with resulting in better stands is obtained with depend on the nitrogen source used. improved Alternaria leaf spot resistance shallow seeding. Seeding into dry soil Anhydrous ammonia should be applied have extended the growing area farther east. and allowing spring rains to recharge 4 to 6 inches beneath the soil surface. this germination zone is preferred to deep Broadcast-applied urea and other dry or planting. Dryland safflower usually is liquid nitrogen fertilizer products should Rotation planted in 6- to 10-inch row spacing. be worked into the soil shortly after Safflower most often is grown on recrop application. or in rotation with small grains or fallow Safflower seed size is similar to barley Drill row application never should exceed and annual legumes. Volunteer grain from and weighs approximately 38 pounds per 15 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre the previous crop may be a problem when bushel. Drill settings for seeding safflower because seedling injury may occur if this safflower follows cereals. Volunteer grain often correspond to settings for similar level is exceeded. Urea never should be is controlled easily with registered grassy seeding rates of barley.