Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) breeding

Abstract

As an oilseed source, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) also contains natural dyes known for their pharmaceutical properties in the treatment of chronic disorders. The production of this herbaceous plant originated in China from which it was dispersed to the Mediterranean countries. The plant is recognized for its use in herbal medicine, birdseed, animal feed, protein-containing ingredients and cooking oil (full of linoleic and oleic fatty acids). Of the linoleic-acid content of safflower, nearly 75%, is vital for a healthy human diet. Due to its adaptability to simultaneously yield oleic and linoleic oils, it is among the substitutes for the common agricultural products raised in marginal farming lands all over the world. No consensus so far has been reached in studies done on safflower. However, it seems necessary to exploit the potentiality of this underutilized plant. The detection and development of novel safflower ideotypes will enhance the suitability of this plant to various prevailing conditions, thereby enabling it to be incorporated into different intercropping practices. Classic genetic studies have an important role in making an educated guess concerning the action of genes and heritability of various agronomic and pheno-morphologic characteristics. Recently, biotechnological developments have contributed to safflower breeding. These practices, however, have not been well supported molecularly. The present chapter articulates different aspects of safflower breeding including conventional breeding methodologies, agronomic performance and biotechnological tools for improving safflower cultivation.