Development of breeding lines with high oil content in safflower using exotic germplasm sources

Abstract

Safflower breeding lines with high oil content (36-44%) were developed through Indian x exotic germplasmcrosses by pedigree method of selection. A promising line, F5-55 showed high oil content (38.5%) and high yield (10.7 g/plant) with comparable seed yield with the checks. The results indicated that selection for high oil content can be successful in early segregating populations; however, significant improvement in seed yield could not be achieved.