Details for: PI 538779, Carthamus tinctorius L., 'CENTENNIAL'

Developed for Montana and the Dakotas to provide growers with a high seed oil content variety with a higher degree of resistance to Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria carthami) and Pseudomonas bacterial blight disease resistance (Pseudonomas syringae). Safflower oil produced is high in linoleic fatty acid. In a comparative test, the fatty acid composition was 79.6% linoleic acid, 10.8% oleic acid, and 7.7% saturated fatty acid compared to S-541 with a 78.0% linoleic acid, 12.2% oleic acid, and 7.9% saturated fatty acid. Plants have spines on the leaf tips and along leaf margins and involucral bracts. Flower color yellow in the bud and in full bloom. Upon drying, flower color is light orange to light red. Leaf shape oblong and margin serrate. Seeds have striped hull. Under dryland conditions the seeds show less striping and the hulls appear gray striped compared to a purple striped appearance under higher moisture conditions. Classified as medium in maturity. Plant height similar to S-541. Based on field disease ratings, appears moderately resistant to Alternaria leaf spot and Pseudonomas bacterial blight. In dryland tests at Sidney, MT during 1989-1995 period, averaged 1,495 kg/ha-1 seed yield with a test weight of 30.9 kg/hl-1 and a seed oil percent of 44.1%. In irrigated tests at Sidney, MT during 1989-1995 period, produced 2,850 kg/ha-1 seed yield with a test weight of 27.9 kg/ha-1 and a seed oil content of 44.2%.

Storage Information Form

• Bergman, J. W., N. R. Riveland, C. R. Flynn, G. R. Carlson, & D. M. Wichman. 2001. Centennial Safflower. Crop Sci. (Madison) 41(5):1639.

U.S. Plant Variety Protection