Some safflower varieties are more tolerant to the disease than others. Bacterial blight has symptoms very similar to Alternaria leaf spot and is controlled in a similar manner. Rust infects seedling hypocotyls and causes swelling and bending. Later, infection of cotyledons, leaves and flower bracts results in chestnut-brown pustules that turn black toward the end of the growing season. Sclerotinia white mold, Botrytis head rot, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt.
Safflower is relatively free from insect damage.
Even when attacked by insect pests, safflower is often able to compensate for the damage and yield is not affected unless stands are drastically reduced. Wireworms, army cutworms, thrips and lygus bugs are the most common insect pests found in safflower. Less common insects include seed corn maggots, grasshoppers, alfalfa loopers, leafhoppers, sunflower moths, clover stem borers and armyworms. Bees are attracted to safflower during flowering. Their presence improves seed set and the adverse effects of any chemical insecticides should be considered before application.