Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of corm weights and planting methods on corm and flower yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted at Esfeden as split-plot based on randomized complete block with four replications during growing 2012-2013. Studied traits were of flower number, flower weight, stigma and style fresh weight, stigma and style dry weight, number of daughter corms and weight of daughter corm. Treatments were three planting methods including mass (traditional), strip and furrow as the main factor and three corm weights such as 6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 g as the sub factor. Results showed that corm weight had the greatest effect on yield of saffron. By increasing corm weight from 6-8 to 9-11 g, yield of flower and stigma and style were improved to 161.65 and 176.19%, respectively. Also, increasing corm weight from 9-11 to 12-14 g, yield of flower and stigma and style raised 44.74 and 47.40%, respectively. Planting method had not significant effect on saffron yield. The number and weight of daughter corms were significantly affected by planting methods and corm weight. The maximum number and weight of daughter corms were for furrow planting and the minimum numbers of daughter corms belong to mass planting and minimum weight of daughter corms were observed from strip planting method. Also the maximum and minimum number and weight of daughter corms resulted in 12-14 and 6-8 g.m-2 corm, respectively. Interaction effects between planting method and corm weight were not significant on saffron yield, just affected the number of daughter corms. As corm weight 12-14 g in furrow planting with 170.8 corms accounted the maximum number of daughter corms per m2, while the corm weight 6-8 g in the mass planting with 74.89 corms had the minimum number of daughter corms per m2. Therefore, by ranking and planting of bigger corms in the first year the same product can be obtained as a traditional farmer can achieved in the third year and the year after, consequently this method could be save the time and costs for farmers.

Keywords

 
 
Amirshekari, H., Sorooshzadeh, A., Modaress Sanavy, A., Jalali Javaran, M., 2006. Study ofeffects of root temperature, corm size, and gibberellins’ on underground organs of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Iranian Journal of Biology. 19(1), 5-18. [In Persian with English Summary]
Arslan, N., Gürbüz, B., İpek, A., Özcan, S., Sarıhan, E., Daeshian, A.M., Moghadassi, M.S., 2007. The effect of corm size and different harvesting time on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) regeneration. Acta Horticulturae. 739, 113-117.
De-Juan, J.A., Crcoles, H.L., Munoz, R.M., and Picornell, M.R., 2009. Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping systems. Industrial Crop Production. 30, 212-219
De-maastro, G., Ruta, C., 1993. Relation between corm size and saffron (Crocus sativus L.) flowering. Acta Horticulturae. 344, 512-517.
Gresta, F., Avola, G., Lombardo, G.M., Ruberto, G., 2009. Analysis of flowering, stigmas yield and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as affected by environmental conditions.  Scientia Horticulture. 119, 320-324.
Hassanzadeh Aval, F., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Bannayan Aval, M., Khorasani, R., 2014. Effects of maternal corm weight and foliar application on replacement corm characteristics and flower yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the first year. Journal of Saffron Research. 2(1): 73-84. [In Persian with English Summary]
Kafi, M., Rashed Mohassel, M.H., Koocheki, A.,  Mollafilabi, A., 2002. Saffron Production Technology and Processing. University of Mashhad, Iran. 276 pp. [in Persian]
Khorramdel,  S.,  Gheshm,  R.,  Amin Ghafori,  A.,  and  Esmaielpour,  B., 2014.  Evaluation of soil texture and superabsorbent polymer impacts on agronomical characteristics and yield of saffron. Journal of Saffron Research. 1(2): 120-135. [In Persian with English Summary]
Koocheki, A., Ganjeali, A., Abbassi, F., 2006. The effect of duration of incubation and photoperiod on corm and shoot characteristics of saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.). Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology. Mashhad, Iran, 28-30 October, p. 61-70.
Koocheki, A., Najibnia, S., Lalehgani, B., 2009.  Evaluation of saffron yield (Crocus sativus L.) in intercropping with cereals, pulses andmedicinal plants. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research. 7(1), 163-172. [In Persian with English Summary]
Koocheki, A., Tabrizi, L., Jahani, M., Mohmadabadi, A.A., 2011. Evaluate the effect of corm high density and three planting methods on some of agronomic characteristic of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and corms behavior. Journal of Horticultural Science. 42(4), 379-391. [In Persian with English Summary]
Koocheki, A., Jamshid Eyni, M., Seyyedi, S.M., 2014. The effects of mother corm size, manure and chem fertilizers on replacement corm criteria and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Saffron Research. 2(1): 34- 46. [In Persian with English Summary]
Maghsoodi, S., 2010. Saffron (Agriculture, Industry, Nutrition and treatment). Agricultural Science of Iran, Tehran. 11 pp. [In Persian]
Mashayekhi, K., Soltani, A., Kamkar, B., 2006. The relationship between corm weight and total flower and leaf numbers in saffron. Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology. Mashhad, Iran, 28-30 October, p. 93-96.
McGipmsey, J.A., 1997. Evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production in Newzealand.  Journal of Cropland Horticultural Science. 25, 159-168
Molina, R.V., Valero, M., Navarro, Y.J., Guardiola, L., Garcia-Luice, A., 2005 Temperature effects on flower formation in saffron (Crocus sativus). Scientia Horticulturae. 103, 361-379.
Mollafilabi, A., 2002. Saffron: Production and Processing. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Publication, Iran. 244 pp. [In Persian]
Mollafilabi, A., 2004. Experimental finding of production and echo physiological aspects ofsaffron (Crocus sativus L.). I International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Biotechnology. Albacete, Spain
Naderi Darbaghshahi, M.R., Khajeh Bashi, S.M.,  Bani Taba, S.A., Dehdashti, S.M., 2008. Effects of method, planting density and depth on the yield and operation duration of agronomic saffron field in Isfahan region. Journal of Seedling and Seed. 24, 643-657. [In Persian with English Summary]
Nassiri-Mahallati, M., Koocheki, A., Boroumand, Z., Tabrizi, L., 2007. Effects of corm size and storage period on allocation of assimilates in different parts of saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.). Iranian Journal of Agricultural Research. 5(1), 155-165. [In Persian with English Summary]
Negbi, M., Dagan, B., Dror, A., Basker, D., 1989. Growth, flowering, vegetative reproduction and dormancy in the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.). Israel Journal of Botany. 38, 95-113
Omid Beigi, R., Ramezani, A., Sadeghi, B., Ziarat Nia, S.M., 2003. Effect of corm weight on saffron yield under Neyshabour climatic conditions. 3rd International Congress in Saffron. Mashhad, Iran. [In Persian]
Pandey, D., Srivastava, R.P., 1979. A note on the effect of the size of corms on the sprouting and flowering of saffron. Progressive Horticulture. 6 (23), 89-92.
Rangahau, M.K., 2003. Growing saffron-the world’s most expensive spice. Crop and Food Research. p. 4-20.
Sadeghi, B., 1993. Effect of corms weight in Collect the flowers of saffron. Iranian Industrial and Scientific Research Book Agency, Khorasan Center. [In Persian]
Torabi, M., Sadeghi, B., 1994. Pattern of nutrient changes in leaf and corm of saffron during growth period. Abstract of the second National Symposium on saffron and Medicinal plants. 8-9 November, Gonabad, Iran.  [In Persian]