Effect of Planting Time on Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Ecotype in Khash Region

Miri, Khaled; Zeraatgar, Hadi; Pordel, Adel

doi:10.22077/jsr.2025.9379.1277

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant professor, Agronomy & Horticulture Crops Research Department, Baluchestan

² Assistant professor, South Khorasan Agricultural & Natural Resources Research & Education Center, AREEO, Birjand, Iran.

³ Assistant professor, Plant Protection Research Department, Baluchestan Agricultural & Natural Resources Research & Education Center, AREEO, Iranshahr, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22077/jsr.2025.9379.1277

Abstract

Introduction: Saffron is a subtropical species that thrives in regions characterized by mild winters and, arid summers. While it exhibits considerable cold resistance, the plant's growth cycle occurs during the autumn, winter, and early spring, necessitating favorable and temperate conditions during these seasons. Optimal yields are achieved at temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 ˚C and at elevations between 1300 and 2300 meters above sea level. The time of planting is a critical factor that significantly impacts the yield of agricultural products. Understanding the optimal planting period for saffron in various regions is vital for enhancing both the quantity and quality of the harvest. The suitable planting time for saffron is contingent upon the climatic conditions specific to the planting area. It is important to plant saffron corms while considering the phenological stages of the plant, specifically during the initial stage of dormancy (from June to early July) or during the third stage of dormancy (in September or early October). Establishing the optimal planting date and selecting the most suitable ecotype are essential initial steps in maximizing yield. This study was carried out with these objectives in mind, contributing to the advancement of saffron cultivation in Khash County.

Materials and Methods: A research study was carried out to assess the impact of planting date and ecotype on the yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station in the Khash region. The study employed a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots consisted of four planting times: August 11, August 27, September 11, and September 27, while the sub-plots included three ecotypes: Taybad, Birjand, and Qaen Standard agronomic practices such as irrigation, weed management, and fertilization were implemented. Measurements taken included the fresh and dry weight of the stigma style, the dry weight of the stamen, and the number of flowers. In order to increase the accuracy of the experiment, two initial and final lines and also one meter above and below each plot were considered as margins and four middle lines (about 2.5 square meters) were used to harvest flowers and moved to the laboratory of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research.

Results and Discussion: The results from a three-year combined analysis indicated a significant interaction between planting date and ecotype at the 1% level. The highest values recorded for fresh and dry weight of the stigma style, dry weight of the stamen, and flower count were 72.69 kg/ha^-1, 5.82 kg/ha^-1, 4 kg/ha^-1, and 56.96 kg/ha^-1 flowers, respectively, observed at the interaction of the September 11 planting date and the Birjand ecotype. Birjand ecotype exhibited superior fresh and dry weights of stigma and pistil, dry weight of stamens, and flower count compared to the Qaen and Taybad ecotypes. The differing climatic conditions of the regions from which the ecotypes were collected may contribute to the variations in yield and the traits studied in this experiment. Previous studies indicated the time of planting in September is a critical factor that significantly impacts the yield of agricultural products, and enhancing both the quantity and quality of the harvest. The suitable planting date for saffron is contingent upon the climatic conditions specific to the planting area. The Birjand ecotype exhibited superior average dry weight of stigma and pistil, dry weight of stamen, fresh weight yield of stigma and pistil, and a higher number of flowers per square meter compared to other ecotypes.

Conclusion: It is recommended that the September 11 planting date and the Birjand ecotype be utilized to enhance the yield and yield components of saffron in the Khash region and similar climatic conditions.

Keywords

References

Adam, N. M., McDonald, M. B. and Henderlog, P. R. (1989). Influence of seed position, planting dates and harvesting dates on soybean seed quality. Seed Science and Technology, 17, 143-152.

Aghazadeh, R., and Hematzadeh, A. (2012). Effect of date, depth and spacing culture on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) vegetative and reproductive traits in Macro climatic condition. Agroecology Journal, 8 (1), 1-10. (In Persian with English Summary)

Alavi Siney, S. M., Ahmadpour Jolgeh, A., Behroozeh, M. and Soltani, M. (2021). Effect of corm transfer date and maternal corm weight on qualitative traits and yield of saffron in Jiroft condition. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 52(4), 211-221. doi: 10.22059/ijfcs.2020.310177.654751

Alavi Siney, S. M., Ahmadpour, J. A., Behroozeh, M., and Solltani, M. (2020). Evaluation of Planting Date and Corm Weight Effects on Flower, Stigma and Daughter Corms Characters of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under the South Kerman Climatic Conditions. Journal of Agriculture and Saffron Technology, 1(8), 59-71. [in Persian].

Alavi Siney, S. M., Jalal, P., Andalibi, B., Alavi Kia, S. S., and Azimi, M. R. (2015). Determination of agricultural traits affecting the yield of ecotypes of saffron in the climatic conditions of Zanjan. Journal of Agriculture and Saffron Technology, 3 (2), 96-107. [in Persian].

Aminifard, M. H.0, Khaksari Moghadam, A., Bayat, H., and Fallahi, H. R. (2024). Investigating the Effect of Different Levels of Manure and Sulfur on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Saffron Research, 12(2), 256-274. [in Persian].

Amirnia, R., Bayat, M. and Tajbakhsh, M. (2014). Effects of nano fertilizer application and maternal corm weight on flowering at some saffron (Crocus sativus L.) ecotypes. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 19 (2), 158-168

Anastasaki, E., Kanakis, C., Pappas, C., Maggi, L., del Campo, CP., Carmona, M., Alonso, G. L. and Polissiou, M. G. (2010). Differentiation of saffron from four countries by mid-infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis. European Food Research and Technology, 230, 571–577

Bayat, M., Amirnia, R., Tajbakhsh, M. and Ramezani, M. (2016). Evaluation of Saffron Ecotypes for Stigma Yield and Yield Components Using Different Maternal Corm Weights. Journal of Plant Physiology and Breeding, 6(1), 53-64

Bayat, M., Amirnia, R., Tajbakhsh, M., and Taniwalch, B. Study of genetic diversity and some agronomic and quality traits in saffron (Crocus sativus L). (2016). Journal of Agriculture and Saffron Technology, 4(3), 185-200. [in Persian].

Bayat, M., Gholamian, A. and Taravati, G. (2014). Stigma Yield in Different Saffron (Crocus sativus L.(Ecotypes in Mashhad Climate. International Journal of Plant Research, 27(2), 176-179.

Behdani, M. A., Koochaki, A., Nassiri Mahalati, M. & Rezvani Moghadam, P. (2005). Evaluation of quantitative relationships between saffron yield and nutrition (on farm trial). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 3(1), 1-14. (In Persian).

Behnia, M.R. (2012). Saffron: History, botany, chemistry, production. University of Tehran Press, pp. 506

Fallah Ghalhari, G. A., Baaghideh, M., and Fakheri, M. (2013). Study of planting date and flowering of saffron. Comparative study (Khorasan Razavi, Khorasan Jonobi and Azarbaijan Gharbi). The 2nd national conference on the latest scientific achievements of saffron in Iran, University of Torbat Heydarieh. (In Persian)

Ghalavand, A. V. and Mazaheri, D. (2000). The effect of temperature on flowering and potential of saffron populations in Iran. Research and Development, 4, 65-69. [in Persian].

Ghasemi, A. (2008). Saffron, the Red Gold of Iran. Ayandegan Publications. 112 pages. [in Persian].

Ghobadi, F., Ghorbani Javid, M. & Sorooshzadeh, A. (2015). Effects of planting date and corm size on flower yield and physiological traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under Varamin plain climatic conditions. Saffron Agronomy and Technology, 2 (4), 265-276. (In Persian)

Ghobadi, F., Ghorbani Javid, M. & Sorooshzadeh, A. (2016). Evaluation of yield and growth characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under effect of planting date and corm size in Varamin plain. Iranian Journal Of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 5(79), 857-867.

Hashem Abadi, D., Taheri, S., Zare, F., J., Soleiman Dari, M., and Hanifi, H. (2019). The effect of planting date and nano-based fertilizers on the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron in the Gilan region. Journal of Iran Horticultural Science, 5, Issue 4, Pages 879-890. [in Persian].

Johnson, H. W., Robinson, H. F. and Comstock, R. E. (1995). Estimate of genetic and environment variability in soybean. Agron J. 47:314-318.

Mohammadi Mirik, A. A., Saeidi, Gh. A. & Rezaei A. A. M. (2009). Interaction effects of planting date with seeding rate on agronomic traits of different genotypes of flax. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 7(1), 221-230. (In Persian)

Mollafilabi, A. (2004). Experimental findings of production and echo physiological aspects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 650, 195-200.

Moradi, R. and Pourghasemian, N. (2020). Assessing effect of cumin and saffron additive intercropping at various planting dates on quantitative and qualitative yield of the plants. Saffron Agronomy and Technology, 8(1), 19-36. doi: 10.22048/jsat.2019.156395.1325

Ashraf Jahani, M.S. (2022). Horticultural Products, Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, Planning and Economic Deputy, Information and Communication Technology Center, Tehran. [in Persian].

Omidbaigi, R. (2011). Production and processing of medicinal plants. Beh Nashr Publications Mashhad, 2, 438. (In Persian)

Pazoki, A., Karaminejad, M. & Foladi Targhi, A. (2011). Effects of planting dates and genotypes on yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Natanz region. Crop Physiology, 2(8), 3-12.

Rostami, M. and Mohammadi, H. (2011). Effects of planting date and corm density on growth and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under Malayer climatic conditions. Journal of Aroecology, 5 (1), 27-38. (In Persian).

Sadeghi, S. M., Dehnadi-Moghaddam, G. & Dooroodian, H. (2014). Evaluation of effects of date, depth and corm sowing distance on corms growth and stigma yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Langarood, Guilan province. Journal of Saffron Agronomy and Technology, 2(2), 45-54. (In Persian)

Shokohian, A. A. and Asghari, A. (2008). Evaluation of saffron ecotypes adaptation to Ardabil weather condition. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 38(4), 563-570. (In Persian)

Tavassoli, A., Heydari, H., Ahmadian, A., & Piri, I. (2020). Effect of planting bed and nitrogen fertilizer levels on growth and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus). Journal of Saffron Research, 8(2), 285-299.

Teimori, S., Behdani, M. A., Ghaderi, M. G., & Sadegh, B. (2013). Investigation on the effect of organic and chemical fertilizers on morphological and agronomic of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm criteria. Journal of Saffron Research, 1(1), 36-47.