Achievements

• Safflower variety, PKV Pink with an yield potential of 1576 kg/ha was released by the  state seed subcommittee of Maharashtra for Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
• Ten varieties were nominated to AICRP breeding trials.
• In vidarbha region Maharashtra, application of cycocel@500ppm either at flower initiation or at 50% flowering could increase the seed yield of safflower by 15% under moisture stress conditions(2007-08).
• In vidarbha region of Maharashtra, apply 30kg S/ha through single super phosphate to increase seed yield and monitory returns of safflower under rainfed  conditions (2008-09).
• In deep black soil for getting higher productivity , monitory benefit and higher water use efficiency in safflower give one irrigation  at vegetative growth stage (30days after sowing) and second irrigation at grain filling stage(80days after sowing)(2010-11)
• 190 Frontline demonstrations were conducted..
• 177.51 qtls of breeder and truthful seed of safflower was produced.

• Released safflower variety, PKV- pink (AKS-311) during 2013 for cultivation in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
• 213  new crosses made for  higher seed yield/ oil content/ Alternaria/ wilt/ aphid .
• 22 promising breeding lines and 2 CMS lines developed and 10 varieties/ hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
• One varietiy ( PKV Pink) released with high seed yield (15-21 q/ha), oil content (32-33%),.
• Increased N dose to 40 kg/ ha from 25 Kg/ha recorded  higher seed yield.
• Substitute 100 % P of either green gram or Safflower with PSB + 5 t FYM/ha for sustaining green gram – safflower system productivity.
• Soil application with phorate 10 G @ 10 kg/ha as basal dose followed by foliar spray of chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 ml/l  maintained  plant stand and reduced plant damage by Gujhia weevil.

• Eleven varieties/ hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
• Skip row technology proved to be advantageous in yielding ability due to In situ moisture conservation. This technology is under farm trial.

• Conducted 110 frontline demonstrations of farmers field to demonstrate superior productivity potentials and benefit of the latest improved technologies viz., safflower based cropping systems and production technology involving pure seed, Zinc sulphate and need based pesticides.

• For effective and efficient management of Safflower leaf eating caterpillar, Perigea capensis (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera), one spray of 0.3ml/l Indoxacarb 15% EC is recommended.
• The treatment of Iprodione + Carbandazim @ 0.2 g/l of water was more efficient in managing the Alternaria leaf spot and also recorded highest seed yield (q /ha) among the treatments. The technology is under advanced stage of testing prior to recommendation.
• Field days:  Three Field Days were conducted in Safflower crop during the RKVY and Govt. of Karnataka oilseed project period 2011-12.
• 104.94 qtl of Breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced

• 94 new crosses made to incorporate more oil content, higher seed index, wilt and aphid resistance.
• Five promising breeding lines developed having higher seed weight, more capitulum/plant,  and high oil content
• Six entries nominated for AICRP trials
• Intercropping Safflower with Sorghum (1:3) had higher rabisorghum equivalent yield over the sole safflower.

• Three germplasm lines viz., GMU 3901, GMU 3944, GMU 3990 were identified for for profuse branching and earliness.

• 119 fresh crosses with different improved parentage have been attempted.
• 187 new crosses for the traits such as higher seed yield/oil content/earliness/high oleic acid content/ aphid tolerance/ enhanced branches in large capitulum lines were made.
• 64 promising breeding lines developed.
• Standardized fertilizer dose e. 90:40:30 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O/ha and 15 kg S/ha through ammonium sulphate under irrigated conditions.
• Sowing between 15^th to 30^th November after harvest of rice was suitable for Chhattisgarh
• Spacing of  45 cm x 20 cm  was optimum.
• Spiny cultivar of safflower (A-1) found remunerative rabi crop after chickpea under limited irrigation, after the harvest of rice in Chhattisgarh.
• Application of Oxyfluorfen @ 250 g/ha (PE) followed by one hand hoeing at 25 DAS proved to be best for broad leaved (Medicago denticulata) weeds in safflower.

• Developed Weather based forewarning model based on regression equations for Alternaria leaf spot of Safflower which is the most devastating disease of safflower crop for which no resistant source is available. The model is unique and first model developed in the country in Safflower crop against Alternaria leaf spot. The trial was conducted during 2006-2011 post rainy seasons.

• A variety, TSF-1 (Tandur Kusuma) with an yield potential of 1200-1500 kg/ha was released for southern telangana region of Andhra Pradesh
• Three varieties have been nominated to AICRP trials

• For chickpea + safflower (3:1) and coriander + safflower (3:1) intercropping systems in Telangana region (Tandur) of Andhra Pradesh under rainfed conditions, apply 100% recommended dose of fertilizer of main crop (chickpea/coriander) and 50% recommended dose of fertilizer of safflower based on area occupied by each in the system to get higher yield and returns.
• Safflower supplied with 50% NP + Azospirillum + PSB when preceding Greengram received 100% N + 50% P + PSB (T12) recorded highest seed yields (1514 Kg/ha) and was on par with 50% N + Azospirillum + 100% P when preceding Greengram received 100% recommended inorganic NP (1493Kg/ha) and 100% NP to both the crops (1463 Kg/ha)
• Significantly higher safflower seed yields were recorded with 100% P when preceding Greengram received PSB + FYM @ 5t /ha (1550Kg/ha) which was on par with 100% P to both the crop components (1506 Kg/ha).
• For Southern Telangana Zone (STZ) of Andhrapradesh foliar application of SAAF (Carbendazim+mancozeb) @ 0.2% twice at 20 DI is found effective in reducing the Alternaria leaf spot of safflower with good benefit: cost ratio.
• In the safflower growing areas of Southern Telangana Zone of Andhrapradesh, based on the regression based prediction model developed, under early sowing conditions low minimum temperatures (20.5-23.9⁰C) coupled with higher morning Relative Humidity (81-95%) during 36-42 standard weeks predisposes the crop for Alternaria leaf spot disease
• 110 Frontline demonstrations assigned and conducted. FLDs have resulted in the spread of two varieties viz., Manjira and TSF-1 in the region along with a fertilizer schedule for  chickpea : safflower and coriander : safflower intercropping (3 : 1) systems in Telangana region of A.P
• 435 qtl of Breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced (in quintals)

• 114 varietes with seed yield ranging from 486 to 2402 kg/ha with wilt resistance developed
• 6 entries nominated to AICRP trials

• In greengram – Safflower system, substitute 50% of P of greengram with PSB and 50% NP of Safflower with Azospirillum and PSB without any adverse effect on system productivity.

• In rainfed Safflower 40 kg N/ ha was recommended for higher yield and returns.
• Safflower sowing around 15^th October resulted in higher seed and oil yield. Any delay in sowing beyond October adversely affected the growth, yield due terminal drought stress in Southern Telangana Zone. 

• Foliar application of SAAF @ 0.2% twice at 20 days interval was effective in reducing the Alternaria leaf spot
• Seed treatment with Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% (Curzate-M) @ 2g/kg seed was effective in controlling seed and soil borne diseases

• Safflower Variety NARI-38 with 2038 kg/ha yield potential is released for All India
• 47 varieties nominated to AICRP trials
• The TGMS-based hybrids have completed two to three years of evaluation in coordinated varietal trials and showed an average increase of 15-20% in oil yield over the best hybrid check NARI-H-15, thus indicating great promise for commercial scale exploitation of hybrid vigour using TGMS system in safflower.
• NARI-52 and NARI-57 giving seed yields at par with A-1 and having oil contents of 33 and 37.6% respectively have been developed at the center.  Both the varieties are highly tolerant to wilt and have completed three years’ of evaluation in coordinated varietal trials.                    
• The center has also developed a short and simple technique to study chromosomes from leaf tissues in safflower.      
• The pooled results of safflower and soybean trials for five years showed that by considering the system productivity as a whole the treatment of 100% P application to soybean and an application of 5 Tons FYM/ha + PSB to safflower recorded the maximum average aggregate net returns of Rs. 53087/ha. This was closely followed by the applications of 100% P to both safflower and soybean, 100% P to safflower and 50% P to soybean, 50% P to safflower and 100% P to soybean and application of 5 tons FYM/ha to safflower and 100% P to soybean.      
• In the integrated nutrient management study, the treatment of 100% NP application to both soybean and safflower gave the maximum net returns of Rs. 40062/ha which was closely followed by the treatments of 50% NP to soybean and 100% NP to safflower (Rs. 33915/ha), 100% N + 50% P + PSB to soybean and 100% NP to safflower (Rs. 32943/ha) and 100% NP to soybean and 50% N + Azotobacter/Azospirillum + 100% P to safflower (Rs. 32474/ha).        
• Four year study with varied nitrogen and phosphorus levels with fixed dose of 40 kg/ha of potash under irrigated conditions showed that the application of 90 kg/ha of N and 40 kg/ha of phosphorus gave the maximum seed yield of 1800 kg/ha, gross returns of Rs. 44755/ha, net returns of Rs. 29629 and benefit cost ratio of 2.93 which was closely followed by the fertilizer treatment of 60 kg/ha N and 40 kg/ha of phosphorus for net returns and benefit cot ratio.
• Entries GMU-1156, GMU-1199, GMU-5133, GMU-7004, GMU-7039, GMU-7162 in 2007-08, GMU-3764, GMU-3927, GMU-3936, GMU-6005, GMU-6770, GMU-6784, GMU-6797, GMU-6835, GMU-6855, GMU-6861, GMU-6862, GMU-6863, GMU-6872 in 2008-09, GMU-4546, W-5528 in 2010-11 were found to be moderately resistant to wilt.
• Among the eight different fungicides evaluated for their efficacy against Alternaria leaf spot in safflower, Difenconazole @ 0.05% and SAAF were found to be the most effective ones, since they recorded the minimum disease infestations and maximum seed yields in all the years of experimentation.
• In total, 37 isolates in four years of study were obtained from rhizosphere soil infested with root rot fungus Macrophomina phaseolina under in vitro condition.  Of these, 13 isolates of Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens were found to be promising as far as their antagonistic activity against Macrophomina phaseolina is concerned.  The bacterial isolates in general were found to be better than the fungal isolates. 
• 135 Frontline demonstrations assigned and conducted. The increased yield and profitability of the crop have encouraged farmers to grow larger area under the crop.  However, the adverse climatic conditions in the region for last three years have discouraged them from adopting large scale production of safflower.   
• 32.48 qtl of Breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced

• 10 new crosses and 10 diallel crossing for higher seed yield/oil content/Alternaria/wilt/leaf hopper resistance made
• 40 crosses using three CMS lines and one thermo sensitive GMS line as female and 10 genotypes possessing desirable traits like high oil, seed yield, with resistance etc. as male made
• 50 promising breeding lines developed and 20 varieties/ hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
• 1 variety (NARI 57) and 1 hybrid (NARI H 23) with high seed yield and resistance/tolerance to biotic stresses released.

·         High yielding spiny genotypes were developed confirming to plant type with increased harvest index viz. JSI-100, JSI-106, JSI-10, JSI 116 and JSI 120.

• Other promising varieties were JSI-10, JSI-100 JSI-112. JSI-116, JSI- 117, JSI- 119, JSI-120 JSI-125 and JSI-126
• JSI-100, JSI-106 and JSI-120 given better performance than JSF-1 under late sowing conditions.
• Spineless genotypes developed viz. JSI 134, JSI- 121, JSI 130, JSI 136, JSI 109, JSI 127    
• JSI-109 maturing in 115-120 days, an extra early safflower genotype has been developed.
• Highest safflower yield of (2199 kg/ha) was obtained when safflower crop received zinc sulphate @ 30kg/ha + RDF. This treatment recorded highest total return (Rs. 33734/ha), net return (Rs. 25004/ha) and B: C ratio (3.89). In the case of second ranking safflower yield of (2059Kg/ha) was obtained when safflower received FeSO4 @ 30kg/ha + RDF, total return of (Rs.31450/ha), net return (Rs.23320/ha) and while treatment of RDF only gave yield of (1525kg/ha) was poor.
• The application of 100% NPK /ha enhances the safflower crop yield with higher net return than RDF (40:40:20).

• Sowing of safflower during mid to late October to 1^st week of November recorded highest seed yield with one irrigation.

• A dose of N60, P40 Kg/ha can be recommended for getting higher production of safflower in medium black soil under one irrigation (on the basis of four years pooled data).
• In respect to micronutrient application in safflower, 100% RDF + 30Kg/ha. ZnSO4 can be recommended for higher production in safflower (on the basis of four years pooled data).
• For the management of safflower aphid, application of Thiamethoxam (25WG) 0.005% or Imidacloprid (17.8%) 0.0045%, twice @ 15 days interval was observed to be very effective and economical in Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
• Sixty five Frontline demonstration assigned and conducted
• 7.91 qtls of Breeder seed produced

Peripheral application of NSKE 5%, a week after the first incidence of aphid followed by spray of Dimethoate 0.05% (4 rows from each side of the field and 180 cm across the field on both the ends) controed the aphids to the tune of 90%.

• Two varieties (PBNS-12 and PBNS-40, non-spiny) with 1500-2000 kg/ha yield potential and moderately tolerant to Alternaria, wilt and aphid released for all India.
• 15 varieties are nominated to AICRP breeding trials.
• PBNS-43 recorded significantly higher seed yield under high plant density population over Bhima. The entry, PBNS – 43, PBNS – 90, PBNS – 88 and PBNS – 84 showed 90, 84, 84 and 86 % drought tolerance efficiency.

• Application of recommended dose of P₂O₅ for soybean and safflower crop recorded highest safflower equivalent yield(3813 kg/ha).
• Application of 100% RDF was found to be optimum for maximum seed yield of safflower (2563 kg/ha). AVT-II entry TSF 2 recorded highest seed yield(2489 kg/ha) of safflower followed by Annigeri 1(2410 kg/ha), PBNS-58(2295 kg/ha)  and NARI-45. (2122 kg/ha)
• Sowing of safflower on 15^th October recorded highest seed yield of safflower under irrigated conditions. Among AVT-II entries , seed yield of NARI-45 and Annigeri-1 was the highest(2025 kg/ha) which was on par with that of PBNS-58 and TSF-2 
• Application of 30 kg Zn So₄ or 30 kg Fe So₄ or RDF + 5 t FYM gave higher seed yield of safflower.
• At Parbhani, 3 isolates each of Trichoderma sp.and Pseudomonas isolates showing 30-70 % inhibition of Macrophomina phaseolina in vitro experiment which were selected for further greenhouse evaluation.
• Propiconazaloe 0.1% treatment recorded the lowest severity (28.6%) followed by carbendazim 12%+ mancozeb 63%-75 WP treatment (30.3%) and mancozeb 0.25%( 32.2%).Propiconazole 0.1% treatment also resulted in highest seed yield (1209kg/ha) and BC ratio of 1.86. 
• Application of ZnSo₄ @ 20 kg/ha and FeSo₄ @ 20 kg/ha along with recommended NPK was found to be essential for maximum productivity of safflower in comparison with application of recommended NPK alone.
• Application of 60 kg N and 40 kg P₂O₅ along with 40 kg K₂O per hectare was found to be optimum for safflower under irrigated condition.
• Application of 100% recommended NPK and 50% recommended NPK+2.5t/ha FYM+3.5t/ha safflower residues to soybean and 100% recommended NPK ;50% recommended NPK+2.5t/ha FYM+3.5t/ha safflower residues and 6t/ha FYM+ 3t/ha soybean residues to safflower  recorded increased productivity and maximum profit in soybean-safflower cropping system.
• Nine accessions GMU-3138, 3834, 3914, 3928, 4546, 5153, 3572, 3884 and 6925 were found moderately resistant.     

• Application of 30 kg N and 60 kg P₂O₅ per hectare to Soybean and 60 kg N and 40 kg P₂O₅ per hectare to Safflower in kharif  and rabi seasons respectively is essential for increased productivity and maximum profit on vertisols under irrigated conditions
• In Marathwada region of Maharashtra in Safflower –Soybean cropping system, it is possible to replace fertilizer P application by seed treatment with PSB + FYM 5 t/ha for soybean when 100 % recommended P is applied to Safflower without  any adverse effect on  the system productivity.
• In Marathwada region Maharashtra (Parbhani), apply either ZnSo₄ or FeSo₄ @ 20kg/ha for higher yields of safflower in addition to recommended level of fertilizer.
• For effective and economical management of Alternaria leaf spot of Safflower, application of three sprays of Propiconazole (o.1) @ 10 g/ 10 lit water first at disease imitation, followed by two sprays at 15 days interval (if needed) is recommended. (Technology was recommended in The Joint Agricultural Research Committee held at MPKV, Rahuri during May 2011)
• 190 frontline demonstrations were conducted.
• 5 qtls of breeder seed was produced.

• One safflower varieties i.e., SSF-658 released for all India and SSF-733 and SSF-748 with an yield potential of 1184 to 1855 kg/ha) have been identified for all India. Variety, SSF-708 has been released for Maharashtra state.
• 26 varieties/hybrids have been nominated to AICRP trials
• SSF-684, SSF-697, SF-513, SSF-710, SSF733, SSF-734, SAF-704 were found tolerant to aphid; SSF-674, SSF-710, SSF-741 were found tolerant to wilt and SSF-674 was found tolerant to Alternaria
• SAF-11-81, SAF-11-82, and SAF-11-8 were found promising for high oil content.
• For higher seed yield with higher economic returns from Safflower – Gram year to year crop rotation, an application of 100 per cent Nitrogen (25 kg N ha^-1) + 50 % P (25 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1) + PSB to gram crop and 50 per cent Nitrogen and Phosphorus (25 kg N and 12.5 kg P2O5 ha^-1) + Azotobactor + PSB to safflower is recommended for medium to deep soils of scarcity zone of Maharashtra.
• The foliar application of Magnesium sulphate to safflower @ 500 ppm (5 grams in 10 litre water) at bud initiation stage (60-65DAS) and at flower initiation (75-80 DAS) for higher seed yield and net monitory returns is recommended under scarcity zone of Maharashtra. 
• The treatment of ZnSo4 @ 30 Kg/ha recorded the highest seed yield (882 Kg/ha) and it was on par with elemental sulphur @ 5.1 Kg/ha (840 kg/ha), elemental sulphur @ 3.4 Kg/ha (834 Kg/ha) and FeSo4 10 Kg/ha (826Kg/ha). A similar trend was observed in gross returns, net returns and B: C ratio.

• The experiment on INM, in kharif, the treatment T₁₁ (100 % N+ 50 % P +PSB) produced the highest seed yield of Black gram (1193 kg/ha) and it was at par with the treatment T₁₂ (100 % N + 50 % P + PSB) and T₅ (100 % NP), respectively as the yield reported under these treatments were 1094 kg ha^-1.and 1075 kg ha^-1
• In rabi Safflower, the treatment T₁₁ (100 % NP) produced significantly higher seed yield (1133 kg ha^-1). However, treatment T ₁₂ (50% NP + Azotobacter + PSB) registered at par results with The treatment T₁₁ also superior in case of gross and net monitory returns (Rs.37033 ha-1), (Rs.21889 ha) but, treatment T₁₂ reported comparatively higher B: C ratio (2.45).

• For effective and economical management of Alternaria leaf spot /blight of safflower, first spray of carbendazim 12 % + Mancozeb 63 % (0.2 %) immediately after disease appearance followed by second spray at 15 days (need based) after first spray under congenial climatic condition (intermittent rains with high relative humidity) are recommended.
• Total safflower genotypes screened – 2129, Eighteen Germplasm accessions were tolerant to Alternaria leaf spot
• In screening of safflower genotypes, out of 73 germplasm lines GMU-2902, 6861 and 6863 have been identified as most promising genotypes tolerant to alternaria leaf spot.
• In Uniform Disease Nursery (UDN) for Fusarium wilt, out of 26 germplasm accessions, 2 genotypes viz., GMU-3927 and GMU-6797 have been identified as most promising entries recording tolerant reaction to Fusarium wilt in sick plot.
• In the experiment on isolation and screening of fungal and bacterial bio-agents against Macrophomina phaseolina root rot/wilt of safflower, one fungal bioagent viz., Trichoderma viride was isolated. Among the bacterial bioagents, four Fluorescent Pseudomonas strains viz., strain No. I, II, III and IV and one Bacillus spp. was isolated. The in vitro expt. was undertaken to study the antagonistic effect of these isolates against Macrophomina phaseolina by dual culture method. Among the six isolates screened, Trichoderma viride isolate shows less growth of pathogen (4.10 cm) with maximum inhibition (62.73 %) of M.  Phaseolina.
• In management of seed/soil borne diseases of safflower by seed treatment with chemical and biological agents, seed treatments with cymoxanil+mancozeb (Curzate-M 0.2%) was found to be the most effective as it recorded significantly lowest incidence of Phytophthora damping off (11.65%), Fusarium wilt (7.90%), Rhizoctonia root rot (10.15%) and Alternaria leaf spot (7.26%) coupled with significantly highest seed yield (964 kg/ha) over rest of the treatments and checks.
• Entries: 11-17-2, 6-9-3, SSFH-43, 8-1-1-4, 8-4-3-3, 8-10-4-3, SF-514, SSF-684, SSF-690, 3-2-1-4, SSF-682, SSF-714, SSF-695, SSF-704 and SSF-734 were identified as aphid tolerant. .
• For effective and efficient control of safflower aphid and producing higher seed yields, two sprayings either of 0.005% Thiamethoxam 25 WG or 0.004% Acetamiprid 20 SP or one spray each alternatively first at ETL i. e. 40-45 DAS and second spray 55-60 DAS are recommended particularly in the safflower growing scarcity zone of Maharashtra.
• To achieve an effective and eco-friendly control of safflower aphid and producing maximum seed yields of safflower, two need based sprayings either of goneem @ 5 ml/L or Dashparni as fermented on w/v basis or one spray each alternatively first at 40-45 DAS and second spraying 15 days thereafter are recommended particularly in the safflower growing scarcity zone of Maharashtra.                                                                                                      
• 180 Frontline Demonstrations were conducted
• 297.81 qtls of Breeder seed and other truthful label seeds