Harvest times and seed germination of three safflower genotypes

ABSTRACT: The safflower (Carthamus tinctoriusL.) has an uneven flowering and fruiting, which can cause problems in seed production and harvesting in regions with hot and humid climates. However, little is known about the optimal safflower harvest time. Therefore, this study evaluated the optimumtiming for seed harvest of three safflower genotypes (2106, S-325, and 7329).The experiment was a randomized complete block design with six replications. The harvest started 16 days after flowering (DAF) and ended at 52 DAF. Ten harvests were made in total. Seed water content, seeds fresh and dry matter, seed germination, and first germination counts were evaluated.Genotypes 2106 and 7329 had germination rates of 79% and 91%, respectively, at 34 and 38 DAF, while genotype S-325 had 90% germination at 37 DAF. Harvesting at 52 DAF combined with a rainy season impaired the germination of safflower seeds. The harvest time most suitable for safflower occurred between 34 and 42DAF, when the seeds have the seed water content between 26% and 33%.摘要：红花（Carthamus tinctorius L.）开花结实不整齐，在高温高湿气候区域会给种子生产与采收带来诸多问题，但目前学界对红花最佳收获时期的认知仍较为匮乏。为此，本研究针对3个红花基因型（2106、S-325与7329）的种子收获最佳时机展开评价。试验采用完全随机区组设计，设置6次重复；收获作业自开花后天数（Days After Flowering，DAF）16天启动，至DAF 52天结束，总计开展10次收获采样。本研究测定了种子含水量、种子鲜重与干重、种子发芽率及初始发芽数等指标。结果表明，基因型2106与7329分别在DAF 34天、DAF 38天时的发芽率达79%与91%；基因型S-325则在DAF 37天时发芽率达90%。若在DAF 52天收获且恰逢雨季，会损害红花种子的发芽能力。红花种子的最佳收获时期为DAF 34~42天，此时种子含水量处于26%~33%的区间内。