High yielding-high oleic non-genetically modified Indian safflower cultivars

High oleic safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil is desired by industry because of its high oxidative stability for broader use in food, fuel, and other products. However, standard safflower oil has only 16-20% oleic acid, and Indian safflower cultivars are non-oleic type. The present investigation was taken up to enhance oleic acid level in Indian safflower. Three non-genetically modified high-oleic lines, ISF-1, ISF-2 and ISF-3 were developed from a cross between low and high oleic genotypes through classical breeding approach. These were tested at 10 locations in India along with two non-oleic high yielding check varieties, Al and Nari-6 under irrigated and dry growing conditions. ISF-1, ISF-2 and ISF-3 consistently possessed high oleic acid content across locations. The mean oleic acid content in these varieties was 75, 76 and 75%, respectively whereas it was 17 and 14% in non oleic checks. Oleic acid level in ISF-1, ISF-2 and ISF-3 was relatively low under dry growing conditions (72, 73, 73%) than under irrigated (77, 78, 76%). On an average ISF-1 and ISF-2 gave 15 and 9% higher seed yield and 23 and 27% higher oil yield, respectively than the best check, Al. Oleic acid content was not affected when tested at three dates of sowing with one month interval; however, considerable reduction in seed yield was observed as sowing was delayed. ISF-1 and ISF-2 were licensed to Marico Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India for large scale production. These are the first oleic safflower cultivars developed for growing under Indian conditions.