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Banats Journal of Biotechnology

2013, IV(7),

12

STUDIES REGARDING THE CULTIVATION OF SAFFLOWER IN SOUTHERN

ROMANIA

DOI: 10.7904/2068–4738–IV(7)–12

Alina BUTU1, Catalina TUDORA1, Steliana RODINO1,2, Marian BUTU1

1National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, 060031, Splaiul Independentei 296, Bucharest, Romania, steliana.rodino@yahoo.com

2University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464, Mărăşti Blvd. 59, Bucharest, Romania

Abstract. The aim of the present study was reintroducing the cultivation of safflower

(Carthamus tinctorius L, fam. Compasitae), studying the adaptability of this species to the climatic conditions in the southern Romania (Giurgiu County) and providing raw material for obtaining biofuel. The culture was established on agricultural land belonging to the village of Roata de Jos, Giurgiu County, located in Gavanu–Burdea plain, part of the Romanian Plain, Dambovnicului Plain subdivision. Sowing was realised in October 2011, respecting the planting scheme: 50 cm between rows, 18 cm between plant on a row, using 21 kgs seeds/ ha, purity = 98% and germination = 80%, to ensure an appropriate density at harvest of 200,000 plants/ ha. Average values obtained on quantitative characters of safflower showed that average plant height is 72.3 cm, the degree of branching = 12.2 (with ramifications of I and II degree), the average calathid number per plant 11.2, average number of achenes per calathid 21, average number of achenes per plant 230.

Keywords: biofuel, safflower, cultivation technology, energetic crops. Introduction The global decline of the oil

reserves level generated the need to find alternative solutions for fuel production, especially for the use of tractors and agricultural machinery.

One alternative is the energy crops that provide raw material to obtain biofuel in safe conditions, environmental friendly and promoting renewable energy resources [BLACKSHAW et al., 1990; KENNETH et al.,

2008; KNOWLES, 1980; RUBIS, 1981; YANG 1993].

Another important reason which sustains the establishment and further development of energy crop surfaces is that in the context of climate change,

which became more evident in recent years, it is necessary to replace crops cultivated in drought–affected areas with plants adapted to these conditions [KENNETH

et al.,1990]. These are the reasons for which it

was intentioned the reintroducing of the culture of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Safflower is an oilseeds plant whose culture is known in our country for years ago and that can successfully adapt to climatic conditions in arid areas.

C. tinctorius crop presents interesting characteristics from agricultural point of view, amongst them to be highlighted the following aspects:

Figure 1. a) C. Tinctorius flower; b) C. Tinctorius mature flower

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13

it is a drought resistant crop which morphologically adjusted to these conditions [KIZIL et al.,2008; RUBIS, 1981],

it is the only oilseed crop that does not have on claims potassium fertilizers, presenting also reduced claims for fertilizers with phosphorus;

it is a good preceding plant for autumn cereals crops [KNOWLES, 1965; KNOWLES, 1989.

MÜNDEL et al., 1992].

Materials and methods The aim of this study was to pursue

elements of ecology, adjusting the cultivation technology and issues regarding the productivity of safflower species, as well as evaluating the adaptability of C. tinctorius to the natural conditions existing in the southern part of the country.

Regarding the requirements towards the vegetation factors, safflower is a long day plant, intolerant to shade and weeding [BLACKSHAW et al., 1990], which requires a 14–hour photoperiod, requesting warmth especially during flowering and seed maturity [YANG JIANGUO,

1993]. In order to prepare the land for the

agricultural year 2011–2012 for C. tinctorius L., at the end of October, on the selected agricultural land was

established the culture of safflower by direct sowing.

Usually, the culture is not selective to the preceding plant, although it should be avoid the beet, oats, tobacco, potato, sunflower, mustard, and beans crops. In our case, preceding plant was spring rape, which was harvested in early July.

Regarding the safflower crop rotation, monoculture is not recommended because it can lead to the propagation of specific diseases and pests of this crop, and impoverishment of soil nutrients.

Therefore, safflower must enter into a rational crop rotation design, following cultures that leave the soil clean of weeds.

The seed used for seeding was purchased from the Saaten Union and was simultaneously treated with insecticides and fungicides, Palisade 600 FS and Orius 2 WS, on the day before sowing. Sowing (Fig. 1) was made considering the following sowing design: 50 cm between rows, 18 cm between plants on the same row, using 21 kg seed / ha, to ensure proper density of 200,000 plants / ha at harvest.

The work was executed with tractor seed sower SPC–6 in aggregate with a U–650m tractor, fitted with fertilization system.

Figure 2. Images during sowing of safflower C. tinctorius on agricultural lands from Roata de Jos

Results and discutions For the safflower culture

established at Roata de jos, simultaneously with the sowing was realized the fertilization with a NP

complex fertilizer (NPK 20:10:0) produced by Azomures BUTNARIU et. al., 2005.

Safflower is unique culture of oleaginous plants, with reduced claims to potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.

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Banats Journal of Biotechnology

2013, IV(7),

14

The land works were done of such manner to provide a good seedbed, well crumbled, structured smooth and clear of weeds. It is very important to be noted that a large number of works performed on soil preparation and tillage, means that the machines and aggregates will pass multiple times over the land, which may result in its compaction, crust formation and soil moisture loss.

The practical soil tillage for seedbed preparation consisted of: harvesting previous crop (July), 25 cm deep plowing, harrowing, and levelling.

The last tillage was done on the surface of the soil, before sowing, with a combiner. It is to be mentioned that approx. 10 days before sowing it was spread the herbicide product Treflan (dose 1.5 l/ha), a total herbicide whose active ingredient is Trifluralin.

This is a granular selective preemergent herbicide used for control of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds with immediate embedding in the soil at a depth of 3 cm.

It is used to control weed species of the genus Poa, Echinocloua, Digittaria, Settaria, Sorghum, Convolvulus, Chenopodium, Lamium, Amaranthus BOSTAN et. al., 2012, RATA et. al., 2012.

During the vegetation period the maintenance works applied aimed to obtain healthy crops, with appropriate density and the main work consisted in weed control which represents an important problem of this crop.

On leaving the winter, when the plants are in the stage "rosette of leaves, weeds can be a major problem and cause serious reduction production efficiency.

Good protection from weed competition in the first period of vegetation is of paramount importance.

A high density culture of safflower will compete successfully and will delay weed growth. From the moment of first vegetation and until harvest, on the experimental agricultural field were identified a series of monocotyledonous weeds: foxtail Grasses, Setaria spp, millet–Sorghum halapense, and

dicotyledonous thistles Cirsium arvense, shepherd's purse Capsella bursa pastoris, field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, and others BUTNARIU et. al., 2012.

For their control, in the month of June, it was applied the herbicide product Dual Gold 650 EC (dose 1.5 l/ ha) whose active ingredient is Methaclor and iation period were applied in two mechanical weeding (one in May and one in June).

A very important remark is that there were not reported any diseases and pests attack for this year crop.

Conclusions Observations and results obtained

in the 2011–2012 agricultural year regarding the safflower crops at Roata de Jos, Giurgiu county revealed that: For the existing climatic conditions in

the southern region of the country, safflower is a suitable crop that, adjust itself very well to withstand stress conditions existing in this area (high temperatures, lack of precipitation, drought, etc.).

The critical moment of the culture happens in early stages of development, when after a frost the leaves may suffer, but the plant continues to grow recovering this disorder during vegetation.

Another critical moment of the culture is the "rosette" stage when the safflower plant is a poor competitor to weeds, because the plant is growing slow and can the crop can be overwhelmed by weeds. It is recommended to practice a weed control by application of herbicides, performing mechanical works before the appearance of safflower plants.

Another sensitive stage in the development of the plant is after flowering (the "filling" stage), when low temperatures can reduce production efficiency but also the content and quality of the oil obtained from the harvested seeds.

Observations made on whole period of the crop vegetation showed that the mean quantitative characters of the

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safflower crop were: plant height=72.3cm, the degree of branching = 12.2 (with ramifications of degree I and II), the average calathid number per plant 11.2, average number of achenes per calathid 21, average number of achenes per plant 230.

The yield obtained was 1200 kg/ ha, oil content of seeds of 28%. This yield was obtained in the conditions of a difficult year in terms of climate (severe and prolonged drought,) but the potential yield of this species is somewhere to 2,200 kg/ ha in conditions of not irrigated culture.

Acknowledgements: This work

has been funded by the research contract PN–II–PT–PCCA 106/2012. References 1. Blackshaw, R.E.; Derksen, D.A.;

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Received: December 5, 2012 Accepted: February 20, 2013