Effect of Organic (compost) and Inorganic (NPK) Fertilizers on Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius L.) Growth, Yield and Seed Oil Content

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2023-2024 at the Qilyasan Agricultural Research Station, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. University of Sulaimani. To determine the effect of two types of organic (compost) and inorganic 20:20:20 NPK fertilizers levels on safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L.) growth, seed yield and oil percentage. The treatments consisted of three levels of organic fertilizer (0, 6, and 12 ton. ha -1 plant compost), three levels of inorganic fertilizers (0, 60, and 120 kg. ha -1 NPK) and two varieties of safflower (Gilla and Russi). The results showed that among the growth traits the greatest LAI was produced by Russi variety under 120kg ha -1 NPK whilst the tallest plant was produced by Gilla variety under 60 and 120 kg. ha -1 NPK compared to other treatments.. However, both varieties produced the highest No.of branches under 12ton.ha -1 compost and the highest leaves dry weight under 120 kg. ha -1 NPK and 12 ton ha -1 compost respectively, compared to other treatments. The highest seed yield kg. ha -1 and its yield components (No.of capitulum plant -1 , weight of capitulum plant -1 , No.of seed capitulum -1 , weight of seed capitulum -1 , 1000 seed weight) were obtained by Russi variety under 60 and 120 kg. ha -1 NPK and 12 ton. ha -1 compost also oil% produced by Russi under 120 kg ha -1 NPK and 12 ton ha -1 compost compared to other treatments. This investigation suggests 12 ton. ha -1 compost for Russi variety under rain fed par with the 120 kg. ha -1 NPK fertilizer to produce the economic seed yield and seed oil content.