1. Development of Safflower as a New Winter Crop for the Texas High Plains
Dick Auld Calvin Trostle
Plant & Soil Sciences Extension Agronomist
Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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2. Safflower Carthamus tinctorius L.
Origin: Middle East
Oil Content: %
Premium Oil: Linoleic and Oleic Acid
Disadvantages: Foliar and Head Rot diseases.
Advantages: Very drought tolerant due to extensive root system (3 to 10 feet).
“The best location to grow safflower may be where it doesn’t rain after flowering.”

3. Safflower Carthamus tinctorius L.
Like many oilseed crops, can you justify making fuel out of this oil which has valuable food and industrial uses?
“If you can grow wheat, you can grow safflower.” 3

4. Safflower Carthamus tinctorius L.
Planting experience so far suggests that safflower establishes relatively easily
Testing at Pecos among spring types indicates ready establishment under salty conditions 4

5. Spring Safflower Best time to plant?
Seed germination can handle cold temps down to 40 F
Initial High Plains seeding is best probably in March, maybe even late Feb.
Later plantings may suffer from heat and/or Botrytis head rot
What about July plantings with maturity in the cool fall?
Most current commercial varieties are spring

6. Winter Safflower on the Texas High Plains
Compliment existing winter wheat production with higher potential return.
Higher yield potential and fewer disease problems than spring safflower
Introduce a new oilseed crop into the region

7. Research Calendar
: Evaluated 30 accessions of safflower that had exhibited Winter Hardiness.
: Evaluated 8 accessions with good Winter Hardiness for Seed Yield & Irrigation Efficiency Across the State of Texas.
: Expanded Research Plots and Initial Commercial Production Plots (12 acres).

8. Research Objectives Identify Potential Varieties Adapted across Texas.
Develop Production Guidelines such as Planting Date, Fertility, Irrigation Scheduling and Pest Control.
Determine Potential Seed, Oil, and Biofuel Yield per Acre in Initial Commercial Trials.

9. 2007-2008 Trials Planted 8 Lines on September 15, 2007.
Planted on subsurface drip with tape 8-10 inches below root zone on 40 inch centers.
The five irrigation regimes were 2.6, 3.2, 3.7, 4.2, and 5.5 inches of Irrigation,.
Site had 11.8 inches of Precipitation during growing season.

10. Environmental Conditions
First freeze occurred October 23, and first hard freeze November 22.
Low for winter occurred in early February (5o F) resulting in no further stand loss.
Seven of eight accessions demonstrated a minimum of 80% stand survival through the winter of

11. September 21, 2007

12. January 11, 2008

13. May 19, 2008

14. May 19, 2008

15. 6/19/08, notice maturity range

16. June 19, 2008

17. Results Seed oil content was 24-28% (Spring Safflower 38-44%)
Excellent irrigated seed yields
(1,800 to 2,400 lbs/A)
Two maturity groups
(Mid-June & early July)
No insect pests
No disease problems

18. Conclusion
Highest Seed Yields from the 3.7 inch Irrigation Rate (Total of 15.5 inches of Water).
Winter Safflower Appears to have Higher Water Use Efficiency but Equivalent Winter Survival, Maturity and Seed Yield Potential as Winter Wheat in this Region.
Crosses are being made to Increase Oil Content & Develop High Oleic Acid Lines.

19. Winter Types vs. Spring
Taller winter hardy
Safflower in center vs.
non-hardy spring type
in front (almost all
dead), Hale Co., TX
Total oil yield per acre for winter hardy and spring types may be similar
Due to less likelihood of disease, efficient use of water, lower weed competition, however, we think that winter safflower could be more advantageous economically

20. Production Issues (1) Markets Crushing facilities Availability of seed
Dreamland Industries, Abilene
California Oils (markets into Texas?)
Crushing facilities
Availability of seed
N fertilizer will be needed, lbs. N/A for irrigated
When to plant, especially for spring types
Most safflower is drilled, rows reduce advantage

21. Production Issues (2) Yield potential in Texas needs to be established
Herbicides for safflower—what weed problems can you handle with:
EPTC (Eptam)
Trifluralin/ethalfluralin (Treflan/Sonalan)
s-metolachlor (Dual)
Sethoxydim (Poast Plus)
Clethodim (Select Max)
Direct harvest with combine

22. Special Acknowledgements
Richard Johnson
USDA-ARS Pullman, WA
(WSRC01, WSRC02, WSRC03)
Dr Travis Miller
Texas AgriLife Extension
Dreamland Industries, Inc.
International Travel Support

23. Production of Feedstock Oils
And Biodiesel

24. Funding provided by
This event also made possible, in part, by generous support from the City of Plainview Convention & Visitors Bureau.