EFFECT OF BIO-FERTILIZATION ON YIELD OF SAFFLOWER GENOTYPES UNDER WATER STRESS CONDITIONS

The demand for bio agriculture has increased in recent years due to its positive effects on the environment. At the same time, breeders are focusing on the genotypes that give the highest yield under water stress conditions in light of the water crisis. Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons to evaluate six genotypes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) plants as compared to Giza 1, a local cultivar under two levels of drought compared with normal irrigation in presence and absence of different biofertilization treatments. The study emphasized on four main parameters: assessing means of performance, estimating tolerance indices (drought tolerance index and yield injury), response to biofertilization and assessing the stability of genotype across environments. The results indicated that Line 10 was reliable as the highest seed and oil yielder when exposed to high level of drought. While Line 4 followed by Line 12 were sensitive to drought stress. Parametric stability analysis showed that Lines 12 and 9 were more stable. Based on these parameters, breeder can make an appropriate selection for the distinct genotype.