Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Characterization in the Pernambuco State Forest Middle Zone

This work aims to identify promising safflower genotypes for cultivation in Pernambuco state forest middle zone. The methodology employed evaluated the performance of six genotypes of the specie, growing at an experimental area of Agronomy Department of Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), by a randomized blocks design, between March and May 2017. The performance of six genotypes of the safflower, growing at an experimental area was evaluated. Germination percentage (%) and the emergency speed index were evaluated these at 60 and 80 days after sowing, following variables were observed: plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), denting of leaf intensity, spinal margin of leaf intensity, number of branches per plant and per stand. Analysis of variance was performed with F test followed by Tukey post-hoc test (p < 0.05), using GENES program. All presented adequate height for mechanized harvesting and the genotypes ICA 211, ICA 338 and ICA 400 exhibited a weak or moderate intensity of spinescent margin. Cultivation in winter was not favorable. Safflower cultivation during the winter period in the Central Forest Zone of Pernambuco is contraindicated. The genotypes tested can be used in breeding programs to obtain adaptation to high rainfall.