Information on this crop, its place in the rotation, fertilizers, varieties, harvesting, pest control and the economics of production. Safflower has a taproot that can penetrate 8 to 10 feet. This extensive root system allows safflower to perform well when planted in rotation following winter wheat. The deeprooted fullseason nature of safflower often results in significant soil water depletion. During dry climate cycles, it may be necessary to provide six years between safflower crops in order for adequate replenishment of deep soil water. For example, a stacked rotation such as winter wheatsafflowerfallowwinter wheatproso milletfallow might be considered. In western Nebraska, it is necessary to summer fallow fields after safflower before planting wheat. Safflower leaves very little crop residue, which leaves the land susceptible to wind and water erosion if fallowed. The potential for soil loss from wind erosion can be reduced significantly by growing safflower in strips with winter wheat andor stubble with chemical fallow. Another option is to grow a shallowrooted crop such as proso millet the year following safflower and then summer fallow after the millet. If soil water is sufficient, an early spring forage crop such as triticale or oats, with or without peas, could be grown after safflower as a partial summer fallow replacement crop.

Address: University of Nebraska Lincoln, CIT, Lincoln, NE 68583-0918
Telephone: 402-472-2821
Website: http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=748