COMMERCIALIZATION OF SAFFLOWER HYBRIDS

 Arthur B. Hill

Abstract

          When safflower hybrids are planted at a seeding rate of 10 pounds per acre their yield performance has been very good.  Once growers understand the economic returns from hybrid safflower varieties, they are not resistant to purchasing hybrid seed at a higher price.  Results of trials from a Provincial Research Organization (EEAOC) in Argentina are summarized.  A typical result was a location in northern Argentina where the best variety (S-317) yielded 1,947 kilos per hectare (1,787 pounds per acre) and the hybrid (GW9025) yielded 2,727 kilos per hectare (2,503 pounds per acre)

Key words:  Safflower, Safflower hybrids, planting rate, heterosis