Inheritance of some agricultural characteristics in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.)

Agronomic traits are very important in safflower breeding programs for drought environments. However, there is not enough information about genetic control of studied traits. In order to study genetic control of grain yield and some morphological traits, six lines and four testers were crossed in all the possible combinations using line×tester mating design. All genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. According to the results, the specific combining ability (SCA) effects were determined higher than general combining ability effects (GCA) in terms of traits studied. As a result, low ratios of GCA/SCA, (D/A)1/2 implied that non additive effects more than additive effects controlled the traits studied. Existing non additive gene action in the population, the selection in the advanced generations like F4 or F5 might be effective for improving the high seed and yield safflower genotypes. For breeding of these traits, Bulk, Bulk seed descent and Double haploid method suggested.