Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a traditional crop that was originally used as a dye and medicinal plant and is now primarily cultivated for edible oil production. Its oil is similar in fatty acid composition to sunflower oil and contains no antinutritional compounds.

Although safflower is cultivated worldwide, it has played little role in Germany so far. However, due to its drought tolerance, positive effects on biodiversity, and low requirements for soil and nutrients, it offers great potential—especially for organic farming. The goal of the Carthbreed project is to lay the foundation for the sustainable establishment of safflower in Germany. Through targeted breeding measures, adapted varieties are to be developed that are suitable for local cultivation and help make agriculture more resilient to the challenges of climate change.

Work Plan and Methodology

The project includes the characterization of genetic resources and the identification of agronomically relevant traits through QTL mapping. Based on this, molecular markers will be developed to enable more efficient breeding. A speed breeding protocol and rapid methods for seed quality assessment will accelerate breeding progress. In addition, winter hardiness and photoperiod sensitivity will be studied to assess suitability for autumn sowing. The long-term goal is to establish a location-adapted breeding program for safflower in Germany. Targeted public outreach will help transfer the results into practice and research.

These measures aim to establish safflower as an economically and ecologically valuable crop in Germany.