Soil and moisture conservation

When safflower is raised as a monocrop on stored soil moisture, soil and moisture conservation becomes very important. 

In low to medium rainfall areas, graded bunds combined with interterrace cultivation across slopes is quite effective in arresting runoff and erosion and providing more opportunity for rain water to infiltrate in the soil. Form compartmental bunds in inter-bunded areas to conserve maximum rainfall. Make a provision for proper surface drainage. Check the weed growth and evaporation losses by harrowing 30 to 4 times during the monsoon season.

Soil mulch

In black soil areas, cracks begin to appear from December onwards with the loss of sub-soil moisture. To delay cracking, close them superficially with dust mulch as and when they appear and thereby minimize moisture losses. Give one additional interculture or hoeing using bullock drawn hoes/ harrows/ sweeps in December before the crop canopy is closed and the spines become problematic.