Safflower: renaissance of an old cultivated plant [24.06.24]
This flowering, almost undemanding and extensive oil plant could make a contribution to increasing biodiversity in organic farming. Safflower is highly resistant to abiotic stress factors such as heat or drought - an advantage that should not be underestimated in view of climate change. What's more, the local cultivation of safflower creates economic opportunities for new, regionally produced products.
Saflor | Foto: Universität Hohenheim / Hans Peter Maurer
From the University Press Office:
An almost forgotten crop is making a comeback: Saflor or safflower. Together with two plant breeding companies, researchers at the University of Hohenheim are working to establish this hardy plant in organic farming by breeding new varieties, which are better adapted to the pedoclimatic conditions in Germany. Safflower not only promotes biodiversity in organic farming, but also can open up new economic opportunities for farmers.
In the face of climate change, an almost forgotten plant is once again attracting the attention of the agricultural sector: safflower or safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Originally used as a dyeing and medicinal plant, safflower is now mainly cultivated in Asia for the production of high-quality edible oil. Its seeds contain between 20 and 45 percent oil, which is considered nutritionally valuable due to its comparatively low content of saturated fatty acids.
This flowering, almost undemanding and extensive oil plant could make a contribution to increasing biodiversity in organic farming. Safflower is highly resistant to abiotic stress factors such as heat or drought - an advantage that should not be underestimated in view of climate change. What's more, the local cultivation of safflower creates economic opportunities for new, regionally produced products.
However, there is currently a lack of varieties that are suitable for cultivation in Germany. Researchers at the Hohenheim State Plant Breeding Institute want to remedy this situation in the CarthBreed project: Through targeted breeding, they want to develop new varieties that are optimally adapted to German climatic conditions in view of the predicted climate change.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is funding the research at the University of Hohenheim with almost 365,000 EUR.
Project Description (BLE Project Database)
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) is a very old agricultural crop, originally cultivated as a dye-yielding plant or medicinal plant in Asia and now grown for the production of high-quality edible oil. Safflower has an oil content between 20 and 45% and contains no antinutritive components. The fatty acid composition is very similar to that of sunflower oil. In Germany, safflower is currently only cultivated in a small area. However, the flowering, relatively low-input and extensive oil plant has a certain potential for cultivation. This is especially true for organic farming. The proposed project aims to contribute to an increase of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape and to create economic opportunities for new locally produced products. The establishment of safflower cultivation in Germany offers the opportunity for a crop with increased resistance to abiotic stress factors in crop rotation under the influence of climate change. Currently, very few adapted varieties for safflower cultivation are available in Germany. By breeding new varieties, plant breeding can therefore contribute to the reintroduction of safflower in Germany, a crop that is resistant to the effects of the predicted climate change, and thus make use of the many positive aspects of cultivation.
- Title: Breeding of safflower - CarthBreed
- Funding: 364.368 EUR for the State Plant Breeding Institute
- Funder: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
- Project Duration: 1.3.2024 - 28.2.2027
- Consortium Partners: State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim (coordination); Gert Horn, Exsemine GmbH, Zappendorf; Dr. Carsten Reinbrecht, Saatzucht Streng-Engelen GmbH & Co. KG, Uffenheim, breeding station Ranzin.
Contact
Dr. Hans Peter Maurer, University of Hohenheim, State Plant Breeding Institute (Landessaatzuchtanstalt),
+49 (0)711 459-22702, h-p.maurer@uni-hohenheim.de
Dr. Kim A. Steige, University of Hohenheim, State Plant Breeding Institute
+49 (0)711 459-22687, kim.steige@uni-hohenheim.de
