Аннотация
Safflower is an important crop in Kazakhstan, though limited work has been done on its production technology in Kazakhstan. The current study was thus designed to assess the impact of tillage and mineral fertilization on safflower yield and quality parameters in Kazakhstan. The study involved three tillage methods (i.e., Moldboard ploughing (20–22 cm), Shallow flat-cut tillage (10–12 cm) and No-till) and five fertilization methods (i.e., Control (no fertilizers), Extrasol, N60P30 + Extrasol, Beres 8, N60P30 + Beres 8). Data was taken on soil moisture (at seedling, branching, budding and flowering), seed yield, moisture content (%), protein content (%), oil content (%). Field experiments showed that safflower yield (cv. Nika 80) was influenced by tillage method, mineral fertilizers, biological products, and weather conditions. Across all treatments, shallow flat-cut tillage provided a yield advantage. Application of biological products alone (Extrasol and Beres 8) increased yield by 0.04 and 0.12 t ha⁻¹ under plowing; by 0.29 and 0.28 t ha⁻¹ under shallow flat-cut tillage and by 0.11 and 0.19 t ha⁻¹ without tillage, compared to the control. Autumn application of amorphous and spring topdressing with ammonium nitrate increased safflower yield to 1.20–1.21 t ha⁻¹ under plowing; 1.45–1.47 t ha⁻¹ under shallow flat-cut tillage and 0.96–1.09 t ha⁻¹ without tillage. In addition, protein and oil contents were increased when the crop was subjected to the combined application of mineral fertilizers and biological products under shallow flat-cut tillage method. The study shows important information regarding safflower production in Kazakhstan, while addressing efficient nutrients management.