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Planting Dates, Rates, Row Widths
Optimum planting dates for safflower are between April 20 and May 10. Early planting allows the crop to take full advantage of the entire growing season. Planting after May 20 increases the risk of fall frost injury and disease which can reduce seed yield and quality. Delayed planting may delay harvest to the point where mechanical drying of the seed may become necessary. Late planting generally results in shorter plants, decreased branching, and lower seed and oil yields, even if frost damage does not occur and/or disease incidence is low.
Safflower seedlings are not vigorous. Soil crusting can be a major deterrent to adequate stand establishment. Planting depths of 1 to 1.5 inches are recommended. Shallow planting encourages uniform emergence and is critical for early planting. Recommended seeding rates are from 20 to 25 pounds per acre of pure live seed. Low seeding rates will result in branches lower to the ground, delayed maturity, and poor weed control. High seeding rates may result in thick stands with higher disease incidence, overcrowding and less branching, especially in years of low precipitation.
Safflower is usually planted in 6-to 7-inch row spacing with a small grain drill. Row spacings greater than 14 inches increase air movement and penetration of sunlight into the crop canopy. This may reduce leaf disease incidence but can favor weed competition, delay maturity and decrease branching and seed oil content.
Safflower has not official test weight. The seed is about the same size as barley and weighs approximately 38 pounds per bushel. Drill settings for seeding safflower often correspond to settings for similar seeding rates of barley. The following generally rule can help calibrate your drill prior to planting: a 20 pound per acre seeding rate planting in 12, 10, 8 or 6-inch rows would require six, five, four and three seeds per linear foot of row, respectively.
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