Safflower is an annual crop grown for its oil-rich seeds. It has several local names and can grow 1-1.5 meters tall. Safflower likely originated from multiple regions, including the Pak-Indo subcontinent, Middle East, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Far East, and Europe. It is economically important as the seeds contain 32-36% oil rich in linoleic acid, making it useful for cooking oil, paints, and pharmaceuticals. Safflower grows best in temperatures between 24-32°C, pH of 7, and requires 5-6 irrigations when cultivated. Major growing regions include Sindh and Baluchistan provinces of Pakistan.

1. SAFFLOWER
Tabraiz Raza
Uzair Azam
Majid Abbas
Shahroze Khan

2. Botanical description
• Scientific name:
Carthamus tinctorius L.
• Family:
Asteraceae

3. Introduction
• Local name such as kasumba(urdu/punjabi), pawari(sindhi), kareeza(pashto).
• Annual day neutrals rabi crop.
• Height 100 cm -150 cm

4. Origin
• The origin of safflower can not be restricted to single origin.
• Seven centers of origin has been suggested for safflower:
1. Pak-Indo Subcontinent
2. Middle East
3. Egypt
4. Sudan
5. Ethiopia
6. Far East
7. Europe

5. Economic importance
• Oil content 32-36 %
• Because of high unsaturated fatty linoleic acid it is used in the manufacturing
of soft margin as salad oil as for other edible products.
• Industrial use include paints, varnishes, and pharmaceutical.

6. Locality and soil
• Grow at 5-8 pH range.
• Best grow at 7 pH.
• Temperature range 24-32℃
• Excessive rainfall and humidity cause fungus attack at all growth stages.
• Tolerate -7 to -14 ℃ as high as 43 ℃.
Sindh: Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu.
All Baluchistan

7. Seed bed preparation
• Require deep plough to break the hard pan and loosen the subsoil.
• Require clod free seed bed and adequate moisture for seed germination.

8. fertilizers
• Irrigated area of Sindh:
• Punjab:
N P K Kg/hac
137 68 0
N P K Kg/hac
30 35 0

9. Sowing time
• Irrigated:
20 October- 30 November
• Rainfed:
15 October – 15 November
• P*P=10-15 cm
• R*R=45 cm

10. Seed rate
• Rainfed:
18 Kg/hac
• Irrigated:
20 Kg/hac
• Planting with hand drill is recommended.

11. Irrigation
• 5-6 irrigations are sufficient for this crop.
• 1st irrigation is given 30-40 days after sowing.
• Subsequent irrigation at 20-25 days of interval.

12. Intercultural and weeding
• 1 or 2 intercultural practices are enough.
1. 1st with rotary or tarphali hoe after 1st irrigation
2. 2nd with rotary hoe after 2nd irrigation

13. Harvesting & threshing
• Take 120-150 days to mature and is ready for harvest in about 35-40 days
after maximum flowering.
• At this stage, the plants are quite dry and seeds can be separated from head
by squeezing.
• Harvesting is done in morning because spines are soft at this time & cause
less dis-comfort in handling.
• Seed with moisture content of 8% can be stored at room temperature.

14. Yield
• Irrigated:
1200 Kg/hac
• Rainfed:
605 Kg/hac

15. Varieties
• Baluchistan:
Thori-78
Thori-28
• Sindh:
Gilla

16. Insect & Diseases
• Insects:
Capsule fly
Aphids
• Diseases:
Leaf rust
Leaf spot
Root rot

17. Medical use
• Women sometimes use safflower oil for absent or painful menstrual periods; they use safflower
flower to cause an abortion.
• For preventing heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and stroke.
• To treat fever, tumors, coughs, breathing problems, clotting conditions, pain, heart disease, chest
pain, and traumatic injuries.
• Reduce cholesterol
• Reduce blood sugar level
• Enhance hair growth
• Nourishes dry skin

18. Thank you