Study on oil content and fatty acid composition in seeds of different genotypes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Abstract

Sixty one safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes were evaluated for oil content and fatty acid composition which showed that oil content varied from 23.88 to 42.90 per cent and the highest seed oil content was obtained from EC-6 (42.90%). Among those fatty acids were detected, linoleic acid (13.83-78.66%) was the predominant fatty acid followed by oleic (12.27-80.08%), palmitic (3.65-7.53%) and stearic (1.27-3.28%) acids. The oil content and fatty acid composition of oil among the genotypes were different indicating that synthesis of them is influenced by genotype. Genotypic effects were highly significant (Pr>F at 0.1% level) for seed biochemical traits (oil content and fatty acid composition).