Editing Safflower (section)

===Agricultural practice===
====Crop rotation and sowing====
Safflower is frequently grown in [[crop rotation]] with small [[grains]], [[fallow]] and annual [[legumes]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Safflower Production — Publications|url=https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/safflower-production#:~:text=Safflower%20(Carthamus%20tinctorious%20L.),western%20part%20of%20the%20state|access-date=2020-11-06|website=www.ag.ndsu.edu| date=21 August 2019 }}</ref> Close rotation with crops susceptible to ''[[Sclerotinia sclerotiorum]]'' (e.g. [[sunflower]], [[canola]], [[mustard plant]] and [[pea]]) should be avoided. A four-year rotation is recommended to reduce disease pressure.<ref name=:2/>

Seeds should be sown in spring as early as {{cvt|4.5|°C}} soil temperature is exceeded, to take advantage of the full growing season. If wireworms were a problem in the field in previous seasons, a respective [[seed treatment]] is recommended. A planting depth between {{cvt|2.5|and|3.5|cm}} is optimal. Shallow seeding promotes uniform emergence resulting in a better stand.

Seeding rate recommendations are around {{cvt|17|-|33.5|kg/ha}} of live seed.<ref name=:2/> Where lower seeding rates promote branching, a longer flowering period and later maturity and higher rates promote thicker stands with a higher disease incidence. Sufficient moisture is necessary for germination. Usually, row spacing between {{cvt|15|and|25|cm}} are chosen using similar drill settings as recommended for [[barley]].<ref name=:2/>

====Management====
The total N recommendation is {{cvt|90|kg/ha}}. This should include credits based on previous crops and soil available N. For the latter, deeper positioned nutrients need to be taken into account as safflower will root deeper than small grains and therefore access nutrients unavailable to them.<ref name=:2/> Safflower growing in soils low in phosphorus need to be fertilized. Up to {{cvt|39|kg/ha}} of phosphate can be drill-applied safely.

A weed control program is essential when growing safflower as it is a poor competitor with weeds during the rosette stage.<ref name=:2/> Cultivation on fields with heavy infestation of perennial weeds is not recommended.

====Harvest====
Safflower is mature when most leaves have turned brown approximately 30 days after flowering.<ref name=:2/> Seeds should fall from the head when rubbed. Rain and high humidity after maturity may cause the seeds to sprout on the head.<ref name=:2/>

Harvesting is usually done using a small-grain [[combine harvester]].<ref name=:2/> Moisture in seeds should not exceed 8% to allow for a safe, long-term storage. Drying can be done similar to sunflower. Temperatures must not exceed {{convert|43|°C}} to prevent damage to the seed and ensure quality.