Effect of nitrogen levels on growth and yield of different varieties of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

A field experiment entitled “Effect of nitrogen levels on growth and yield of different varieties of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)” was conducted at School of Agricultural Sciences, JRNRVU, Dabok, Udaipur, Rajasthan during the Rabi season 2023-24. The experiment consisted of three varieties (RVSAF-18-1, JSF-99, JSF-97) and four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha⁻¹). The 12 treatment combinations were evaluated under a randomized block design with 3 replications. The results revealed that the highest yield of 2451 kg.ha-1 was obtained with variety RVSAF-18-1 which was significantly higher over variety JSF-97 and JSF-99 by 28.3 and 173.5 per cent, respectively. Similar trends were observed with respect to stover and biological yield. The highest oil content and yield net return (₹ 116168/-) and B-C (4.3) was also noticed in variety RVSAF-18-1. The highest yield of 2074 kg.ha-1 was obtained with the application of 60 kg N ha-1 which was significantly higher over control and 30 kg N ha-1 by 69.8 and 23.6 per cent, respectively but was at par with 45 kg N ha-1 (2038 kg.ha-1) Similar were the trendsobserved with respect to stover and biological yield. Application of 60 kg N ha-1 also registered maximum oil content (33.4%), oil yield (722.5% kg.ha-1), net return (₹ 92486 ha-1) and B-C (3.61) which were at par with 45 kg N ha-1.