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

Abstract 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, A1 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, A1. 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.