Morphological study of safflower pollen for crop improvement

Abstract

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oilseed crop known for its abundance of (PUFA) polyunsaturated fatty acid content, making it beneficial for heart health. Cultivated primarily for edible oil, dyes, and bird feed. Analyzing the floral biology and pollen morphology of safflower can offer valuable understanding into it reproduce mechanisms, important for breeding novel varieties. Field observations conducted at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, revealed variations in anthesis timing influenced by environmental factors like dew accumulation and foggy weather. Such insights underscore the significance of considering environmental conditions in breeding programs to develop resilient safflower varieties. Microscopic examination of safflower pollen unveiled yellow, egg-shaped grains with varying sizes from 33-56 µm. Detailed analysis revealed viable pollen with characteristic morphological features such as a thin intine, thick exine with tri-laminate tectum, and germinating pollen tubes. Study offer valuable information on pollen viability and fertility, essential for optimizing pollination techniques and selecting parental lines to improve reproductive success and yield.