Evaluation of Safflower Exotic Germplasm

Based on germplasm evaluation necessity genebanks for using in breeding programs, 324 accessions of safflower from FAO were evaluated in Genebank field during 2001 to 2004. During season growth, morphologic vegetative, generative and seed characteristics were evaluated based on IPGRI descriptor. Major of accessions were pure and were different especially in flower color and rate of OIB spines. Therefore, accessions were extended to 585 morphotype. Statistical parameters were done for characteristics. Results showed, accessions were different in seedling emergence and its variety range was 11 days. This character had negative correlation with harvest index and flower color, it means as color trend from white and yellow to orange and red, the days to seedling emergency reduces. 24 days variety of the flowering date was seen in this population that is suitable in breeding. This character had negative correlation with 100 seed weight and positive correlation with plant height. Therefore, increasing in flowering date reduced the seed filling duration and 100 seed weight, but the vegetative continued and height has been increased. The number of heads in a plant was 0 to 129, and it&rsquos CV (coefficient variation) was 80.5. This character has positive correlation with yield (85.1) that is affected from high variation of the number of head in plant characteristic, showed accessions were so capable for yield increasing. All possibility color of flower, white, yellow, orange, and red in agronomical species of safflower have been seen, and orange color had the most frequency. Accessions showed the long range of spines, and high spiny was the most frequency. In this project three quality characteristic, rate of leaf spines, flower color, and rate of contaminating to powdery mildew, were evaluated that respectively had 0.94, 4.93 and 0.197 Shannon index. Based on Shannon index the accessions showed the most variation in color of flower. Also considering isolation, and preventing of genetic mixture, regeneration of accessions has been done, and they have been harvested separately and delivered to Genebank seed laboratory for conservation in cool houses after preparing.