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Safflower (Kusum)RabiNon-spiny safflower varietyUpdated 28 August 2026

Phule Chandrabhaga

A non-spiny, wilt-tolerant variety (PBNS-12) from the Parbhani programme, bred for the Marathwada black soils — the spineless trait plus good wilt resistance.

SeasonRabi
Maturity periodAbout 125–135 days
Expected yieldAround 12–16 q/ha rainfed under good management
Suitable soilDeep black soils of Marathwada

Quick facts

Crop
Safflower (Kusum)
Type
Non-spiny safflower variety
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
About 125–135 days
Seed rate
Sole crop 10–12 kg/ha in 45 cm rows; border / intercrop about 5–6 kg/ha
Expected yield
Around 12–16 q/ha rainfed under good management
Suitable soil
Deep black soils of Marathwada
Release
Released by VNMKV Parbhani for the Marathwada black soils; non-spiny and wilt-tolerant

About this variety

Phule Chandrabhaga (PBNS-12) is a non-spiny, Fusarium-wilt-tolerant safflower variety from the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (Parbhani) programme, bred for the Marathwada black-soil tracts. It combines the spineless trait — easier weeding, spraying and harvest — with a good level of wilt resistance and a stable rainfed yield.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeNon-spiny safflower variety
    MaturityAbout 125–135 days
    Yield potentialAround 12–16 q/ha rainfed under good management
    Disease resistanceGood Fusarium-wilt tolerance
    SoilDeep black soils of Marathwada
    SeasonRabi

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeLate September to end of October, drilled deep into moisture; sow early because of the longer duration
  • Seed rateSole crop 10–12 kg/ha in 45 cm rows; border / intercrop about 5–6 kg/ha
  • Spacing45 cm rows; thin to about 20 cm within the row
  • Sowing methodDrill behind the plough into moist black soil, 4–6 cm deep
  • IrrigationRainfed; one irrigation at rosette-to-branching and a second at flowering where water is available
  • FertilizerRainfed about 25:25:0 kg N:P2O5:K2O/ha below the seed; 40–60 kg N/ha split under irrigation
  • HarvestingHarvest at 125–135 days when straw-dry and the seed hard and white; the non-spiny plant is safe and quick to cut and thresh

Soil & climate

Soil

Suitable soil
Deep black soils of the Marathwada belt
pH
6.5–8.0

Climate

Climate
A rainfed rabi crop; wilt tolerance plus the spineless trait make it a good choice on a Marathwada field with a wilt history and short labour

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

About 125–135 days

Expected yield

Around 12–16 q/ha rainfed under good management

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Management notes

  • A strong choice for a Marathwada field with a wilt history where labour for a spiny crop is short
  • Sow early and deep because of the longer duration
  • Still keep a rotation away from safflower — wilt tolerance is not immunity

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Non-spiny and with good Fusarium-wilt tolerance — an unusual and useful combination
  • Bred specifically for the Marathwada black soils

Things to consider

  • Longer duration — needs an early, deep sowing
  • A Marathwada-bred variety; confirm local suitability outside that belt

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Maharashtra

Frequently asked questions

Is Phule Chandrabhaga the same as PBNS-12?

Yes. Phule Chandrabhaga is the release name of the safflower variety PBNS-12 from the VNMKV Parbhani programme — a non-spiny, Fusarium-wilt-tolerant type for the Marathwada black soils.

Sourced from: Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (IIOR), Hyderabad. editorial policy.