Variation of Water Availability in Initial Development of Safflower

Abstract

The availability of water is one of the most important factors for the development of the seeds. Thus, studies related to adequate humidity for germination, emergence and early development of safflowers, is necessary for the productive use of this culture. Thus, the objective of study was to evaluate the initial development of two varieties of seeds of Safflowers (IAPAR and IMA2103) in six levels of water availability in substrate: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%. At 15 days the seedling emergence were evaluate. At 30 days were evaluate plant height, root length, stem diameter, number of leaves, fresh weight of the aerial part and root, dry weight of shoot and root. The treatment without irrigation, there was decrease the emergence, emergence speed for both genotypes. Treatments above 30% of water availability in the two varieties presented emergency superior to 50%. Lower irrigation rates favored root length and dry mass.