DSH-129
A safflower hybrid from ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad giving a clear yield advantage over the open-pollinated varieties under good management; fresh seed must be bought each year.
Quick facts
- Type
- Safflower hybrid
- Season
- Rabi
- Maturity period
- About 125тАУ135 days
- Seed rate
- Sole crop 10тАУ12 kg/ha of hybrid seed in 45 cm rows
- Expected yield
- Around 14тАУ20 q/ha under good rainfed to irrigated management тАФ a clear advantage over open-pollinated varieties
- Suitable soil
- Deep black soils under good management
- Release
- A safflower hybrid released by ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad
About this variety
DSH-129 is a safflower hybrid from the ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad. Hybrid vigour gives it a clear seed-yield advantage over the open-pollinated varieties when the crop is grown with good management and, ideally, one or two protective irrigations. It carries some Fusarium-wilt tolerance. As a hybrid, seed cannot be saved тАФ fresh certified hybrid seed must be bought each season.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Sowing timeLate September to end of October, drilled deep into moisture; sow early because of the longer duration
- Seed rateSole crop 10тАУ12 kg/ha of hybrid seed in 45 cm rows
- Spacing45 cm rows; thin to about 20 cm within the row
- Sowing methodDrill behind the plough into moist black soil, 4тАУ6 cm deep
- IrrigationOne or two protective irrigations (rosette-to-branching and flowering) express the hybrid yield potential best; still gives an advantage rainfed
- FertilizerAbout 40:40:0 kg N:P2O5:K2O/ha, half the nitrogen basal and half at the rosette stage under irrigation; keep the rainfed dose lower
- HarvestingHarvest at 125тАУ135 days when straw-dry and the seed hard and white; a spiny hybrid, so cut in the cool early morning with protective clothing
Soil & climate
Soil
- Suitable soil
- Deep black soils with a full moisture profile; responds strongly to good management
- pH
- 6.5тАУ8.0
Climate
- Climate
- A rabi crop that rewards good management and protective irrigation; a hybrid punishes late sowing and poor aphid control more than an OP variety
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
About 125тАУ135 days
Expected yield
Around 14тАУ20 q/ha under good rainfed to irrigated management тАФ a clear advantage over open-pollinated varieties
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Major pests
Management notes
- Buy fresh certified hybrid seed every year тАФ do not save seed
- Grow it where you can give good management and, ideally, one or two irrigations
- Sow early and deep; protect against aphid at the first bud colonies
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- A clear seed-yield advantage over the open-pollinated varieties under good management
- Some Fusarium-wilt tolerance
Things to consider
- Hybrid seed must be bought fresh each year тАФ a recurring cost the OP varieties do not have
- The yield advantage needs good management and ideally irrigation; on a low-input rainfed crop the gap narrows
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for тАФ check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Telangana
Frequently asked questions
Is a safflower hybrid like DSH-129 worth the extra seed cost?
It is where the crop is grown with good management and, ideally, one or two protective irrigations тАФ then the higher seed yield more than covers the recurring cost of buying fresh hybrid seed each year. On a purely low-input rainfed crop, the yield gap over a good open-pollinated variety narrows and a wilt-tolerant OP variety may be the safer choice.
Sourced from: ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad, ICAR тАФ AICRP on Safflower. editorial policy.