Four species of fruit flies (Dip: Tephritidae), Acanthiophilus helianthi (Rossi), Chaetorellia carthami Stackelberg, Terellia luteola (Wiedemann), Urophora mauritanica Macquart, and the SAFFLOWER gall wasp, Isocolus tinctorius Melika & Gharali (Hym.: Cynipidae) are serious pests of SAFFLOWER fields in Iran. Twelve species of hymenopterous parasitoids of these pests were reared and some of their morphological and biological data were presented. These parasitoids belong to the families Eulophidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae, Pteromalidae, Torymidae (Hym.: Chalcidoidea) and Braconidae. Two species, Pronotalia carlinarum (Szelenyi & Erdos) (Eulophidae) and Pteromalus albipennis Walker (Pteromalidae) are recorded for the first time from Iran. Association of Bracon luteator Spinola, Colotrechnus viridis (Masi), Microdontomerus annulatus (Boucek), Pronotalia carlinarum, and Pteromalus albipennis with SAFFLOWER fruit flies, and the association of Ormyrus gratiusus (Forster) (Hym.: Ormyridae) with the SAFFLOWER cynipid gall wasp are newly recorded. An illustrated key is provided for the adult parasitoids.

The objectives of this study were to analyze genotype by environment (GE) interactions on the SEED yield of 19 SAFFLOWER genotypes by the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model and to evaluate genotype (G), environment (E) and GE interactions using statistics parameter i. e. AMMI stability value (ASV) and ecovalence (W2i). The trials were conducted at three locations: Shirvan, Sararood and Khoramabad for two successive cropping seasons (2010-12). Main effects due to E, G, and GE interactions as well as two first interaction principal components (IPCA1-2) were found to be significant. AMMI biplot was able to distinguish stable genotypes and environments, with high and low genotype discrimination ability. The genotypes 6 and 10 with higher mean SEED yield than total mean were to be most stable genotypes, while the genotypes 18 and 3 with the highest contribution to GE interaction were to be most instable.

The selection efficiency of the most desirable SAFFLOWER genotypes can be improved by incorporating the graphical methods and statistical analysis. This experiment was carried out to determine grain yield stability of SAFFLOWER genotypes using the graphical and statistical methods. Twenty SAFFLOWER genotypes were evaluated in Chachsaran, Choram, Behbehan and Dehdasht using randomized complete block design with three replications in three cropping seasons (2001-2004). The results of simple analysis of variance indicated the significance of genotype effect on grain yield. The results of combined analysis of variance revealed significance of genotype, environment, genotype ´ environment interaction and linear genotype ´ environment interaction effects. Since the genotype ´ environment interaction effect was significant, seven stability statistics including Si, CV, Wi 2, si 2, bi, Sdi 2 and Sdi were calculated for stability analysis and the results indicated genotype 3 (PI250536-2) had the highest grain yield stability. The results of AMMI (Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction) model showed that 98.74% of total genotype ´environment interaction variation was due to four principle components (PCs). Based on the above statistics and the biplots derived from AMMI analysis, genotypes 3 (PI250536-2), 10 (Syrian hama 1), 14 (Saffir) and 16 (PI 251268) had grain yield stability. These genotypes were identified as suitable and adapted genotypes with grain stability for the studied environments.

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of sowing dates and irrigation on SEED quality of a spring-type SAFFLOWER cultivar, in Karaj-Iran, during 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A split plot design based on a randomized complete block layout with three replications was used in which sowing dates and irrigation treatments comprised the main plot and sub-plot, respectively. The results showed the highest oil yield, oil content, protein yield, and linoleic acid content of SAFFLOWER SEED for sowing date of 19th of April and under non-water stress conditions. The highest SEED protein, oleic acid, and palmitic acid contents were obtained for sowing dates of May 5th and 20th along with ceasing irrigation at heading, flowering, and SEED filling stages, respectively. Under arid and semiarid Mediterranean conditions prevailing in Karaj, late sowing date led to a greater simultaneity of reproductive stages and higher temperature, which made the negative effect of water stress more prominent than in the early sowing dates.

SEED germination is the begining of life cycle for many crops. Snitable methods of SEED selection and production have great effects on the yield. In this study, a field work was preceded hy a laboratory experiment in order to evaluate the SEED vigour in seven sorghum lines. The field experiment was a RCBD with three replications and was carried out in 1998, Karaj, Iran. Each experimental plot was 2.6x7m with four rows (65 cm between the rows). After SEEDling emergence, the germination percentage was recorded. When the SEEDlings were at 4-6 leaves thinning was done to reduce the space between them to 6cm in a row and other necessary practices were carried out on time until the SEEDs were fully matured. Samples were taken from all the seven sorghum lines and in the laboratory, using RCBD design, standard Germination Test (G), Cold Test (CT), Accelerated Ageing Test (AA), Electrical Conductivity Test (EC) with four replications were implemented on the samples. The results indicated that the sorghum lines KFS1, KFS2 and KFS4 are significantly different in SEED vigours, percentage of field emergence and also the fresh and dry matter yields of forage.

This experiment was conducted in order to study the effects of drought stress on the SEED qualitative and germination characters of three lines of summer SAFFLOWER in two part farm Study and laboratory s' study. In part of farm study during summer season by a split plots design, three lines of SAFFLOWER (Isfahan-8, Isfahan-24 and Isfahan-44) at the four irrigation regimes to be grown to maturity. In continue SEEDs that to be produced in farm experiment part, transfer to laboratory and with standard germination and tetrazolium test their germination percentage, germination speed, SEED viability and mean time of germination were calculated and SEED qualitative to be determine. In final by yield SEED of every treatment, Stress Intensity (SI) calculated.SI rates showed that irrigation treatments to be arrived different intensity drought stress to SAFFLOWER canopy. Drought strees in SAFFLOWER canopy was caused a little reduce in oil SEED rate and kernel grain ratio, but didn't significant effect on the SEED protein. Also effect of drought strees on the SEED viability and speed SEED germination and mean time germination were not significant, but SEED germination percentage significantly increased. Isfahan-44 with 18.31 percentage of protein and isfahan-24 with 29.68 oil percentage were the best line but about germination characters were not significant different between lines. In this study were not significant interaction effects between irrigation and lines.

Study on genetic variation is an important feature in plant breeding. Knowledge on genetic variation of plant populations enables the breeders to select better methods for breeding of their materials. The present study was carried out in a lattice design in Sararood Dryland Research Station during 2001 to investigate variations of different traits in 56 genotypes of SAFFLOWER. Analysis of variance on different traits showed significant differences among genotypes for number of sub branches at 5% probability level, and at 1% level for other traits indicating genetic variations for different traits ill genotypes. Path analysis revealed that the most diryct effects were those of the number of heads per plant (0.557). Factor analysis extracted four factors. Factor loading of first three eigen values showed that first three factors explained 97.239%, sum of variance. Rates of first, second and third factors were 35.195%, 31.114/% and 30.193%, respectively. The first, second and third factors were named productivity factor (SEED yield and oil yield), sink factor (number of sub branch and number of heads per plant) and fixed capital factor (number of days to 50% flowering, number of days to maturity and plant height), respectively. Cluster analysis divided genotypes into four groups. Group three with 17 genotypes that they had higher number of sub branches, number of head per plant, SEED yield and oil yield than general mean. In general, selection indices under rain fed conditions were introduced as SEED yield, number of head per plant, number of sub branches, and number of days to 50% flowering, number of days to maturity and plant height.

In order to investigate the response of yield, yield components and SEED quality of SAFFLOWER cultivars to water deficit tension and SEED priming with salicylic acid, an experiment was conducted as split plot factorial arrangement based on a randomized complete blocks design with three replications for two years (2015-16) at Shahroud Agricultural Research Center. The main plot consisted of three levels of irrigation based on the evaporation rate of a class A evaporation pan including: no water deficit tension (60 millimeter evaporation), mild water deficit tension (120 millimeter evaporation) and severe water deficit tension (180 millimeter evaporation) as well as subplot a combination of two factors: SAFFLOWER cultivars (Goldasht, Sina and Soffeh) and SEED priming (SEEDs treated with salicylic acid and non-treated SEEDs). The results of combined analysis showed that water deficit tension reduced significantly the investigated traits of SAFFLOWER cultivars compared to non-water deficit tension, so that the severe water deficit tension caused reduction of plant height (15 percent), grain yield (29 percent), number of heads per plant (21 percent), number of SEEDs per heads (22 percent), head weight (17 percent), kernel percentage (5 percent), oil SEED percentage (4 percent), oil yield (36 percent) and total chlorophyll (32percent) and increasing the percentage of SEED protein (4 percent)and carotenoid content (17 percent) in comparison to non-tension conditions. The results of combined analysis showed the improvement of the investigated traits in primed treatment compared to control SEEDs, in both water deficit tension and non-tension conditions. The interaction of year with irrigation and cultivar had a significant effect on grain yield and oil yield, so that the highest grain yield from Goldasht cultivar and the highest oil yield from Soffeh cultivar were obtained under non-tension conditions.

Research was conducted to develop and release new improved winter SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivar suitable for cold and semi cold areas of Iran. In 1995, 1996 and 1997, line L.R.V.51.51  was selected from Uromeieh landraces based on agronomic traits, resistance to diseases and abiotic stresses under field conditions. It was included in yield trials in main Research Stations Karaj, Isfahan and Darab, together with 9 SAFFLOWER lines, as well as widely grown improved cheek cultivar Zrgan-279 Results showed that this line produces significantly higher and stable yield. Analysis of the grain and oil yields using Eberhart and Russel method showed significant difference for the main effects of genotype and genotype × environment (linear) interactions and non-significant difference for deviation from regression. According to the classification of genotypes based on the mean of grain and oil yields, coefficient of regression and deviation from regression, the new line L.R.V.51.51 with its high grain and oil yields and stability was selected as a desirable genotype while it has more tolerant to cold than Zargan-279, with mean grain and oil yields 2205 kgha-1 and 600 kgha-1 respectively. The new line was released in 2005, with the name of Paideh. 

Background & Aim: Despite valuable medicinal properties of SAFFLOWER, breeding new varieties and development of the crop culture area has been limited due to the lack of genetic variation for some crucial characteristics as resistance to diseases and pests like SAFFLOWER fly. In this study, populations of wild SAFFLOWER, C. oxyacanthus were collected from western, central and southern regions of Iran to investigate their genetic variation for resistance to SAFFLOWER fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi. Then mechanisms of plant resistance to SAFFLOWER fly and effective bio-chemical compounds involved in the resistance were also investigated.Experimental: Germplasm collection of wild SAFFLOWER, C. oxyacanthus, was carried out from central, southern and western Iran including provinces Fars, Kohgiluyeh, Isfahan, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Markazi, Tehran, Lorestan, Kordestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and Hamadan. In each province, 3 to 5 samples were gathered from collection sites 50-100 km apart from each other. Each accession was composed of SEEDs from 30 to 50 individual plants in each collection site.Accessions were planted and evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications for resistance to SAFFLOWER fly (Acanthiophilus helianthi) in terms of dead larvae frequency.Results & Discussion: Fresh brown-black and white SEED coats from immature SEEDs of C. oxyacanthus were soaked for 48 h in DMF in three replications. The extracted solution was chromatographed on TLC. The compounds isolated by chromatography were dissolved in 1 mL of DMSO-d6 and 1D proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) and carbon nuclear resonance (C-NMR) spectra were recorded. The results showed that brown-black SEED coat color in C. oxyacanthus is due to the presence in high concentration of a main anthocyanidin. The compound in the SEED coats predominantly undergoes polymerization due to desiccation and exposition to atmosphere during ripening and performs as indigestible and anti-nutritional polymers against fly larvae feeding.Industrial and practical recommendations: SAFFLOWER varieties with black SEEDs containing high amount of anthocyanidin may help to overcome or alleviate insects and diseases problems in front of developing SAFFLOWER production area and to extract novel metabolites for medicinal purposes.