In collaboration Iranian Medicinal Plants Society

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Phd student of Agroecology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad..

2 Professor of AgroEcology Department of Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

3 Associate Professor of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

4 ferdowsi university of Mashhad- department Agrotechnology

Abstract

In order to study the effect of different amounts of corms and planting depths of corms on flower and corm yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted in a factorial layout based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during 2015- 2016 growing seasons. The experimental treatments were all combination of four quantity of corms (7, 8, 9 and 10 t/ha) and three planting depth (10, 15 and 20 cm). The results showed that different quantity and planting depth of saffron corms had significant effects on the most of the studied criteria. The results revealed that flower yield, stigma dry weight, number of flowers and replacement corms per square meter increased by increasing the amount of corm by 9 t/ha and reduced planting depth by 10 cm. The maximum replacement corms yield was obtained in 8 t/ha corm treatment which was 33.25 percent higher than 7 t/ha and 15.99 percent was higher than 10 t/ha corm treatments. The maximum and minimum replacement corms yield were shown in 10 and 20 cm planting depth, respectively. The higher number of replacement corms (173 corm in m2) were obtained in 10 t/ha corms, Therefore, increasing the amount of corms from 7 to 10 t/ha will increase the number of replacement corms by 101 percent while there were no significant differences between the rests of treatments. According to the low yield of saffron in the first year, it seems increasing the amount of corm till the optimum range and reducing the planting depths of corms will increase saffron flowers yield in the first year and lead to produce bigger replacement corms for next years. Hence, optimum amount of corm and planting depths will increase farmers’ income in the first year.

Keywords

Main Subjects

 de Juan, J.A., Crcoles, H.L., Muoz, R.M., and Picornell, M.R. 2009. Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping systems. Industrial Crops and Products 30 (2): 212-219.
De Mastro, G., and Ruta, C. 1993. Relation between corm size and saffron (Crocus sativus L.) flowering. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 344 (1): 512–517.
Gowhar, A., Nehvi, F.H, Arshid, A., Naseer, S., Iqbal, A.M., and Sameer, S. 2012. Effect of corm size weight on daughter corm formation in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Fourth International Saffron Symposium. Advance in Saffron Biology, Technology and Trade- 22-25 October 2012. pp. 74.
Gresta, F., Avola, G., Lombardo, G.M., and Ruberto, G. 2009. Analysis of flowering, stigmas yield and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as affected by environmental conditions. Scientia Horticulturae 119: 320-324.
Hassanzadeh Aval, F., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Bannayan Aval, M., and Khorasani, R. 2013. Effects of maternal corm weight and different levels of cow manure on corm and flower yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Saffron Agronomy and Technology 1 (1): 22-39. (In Persian with English Summary)
Koocheki, A. 2013. Research on production of saffron in Iran: Past trend and future prospects. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 1 (1): 3-21. (In Persian with English Summary).
Koocheki, A., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Mollafilabi, A., and Seyyedi, S. 2015. Effects of corm planting density and manure rates on flower and corm yields of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the first year after planting. Agroecology 6(4): 719-729. (In Persian with English Summary).
Koocheki, A., Siahmarguee, A., Azizi, G., and Jahani Kondori, M. 2011. The effect of high density and depth of planting on agronomic characteristic of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and corms behavior. Agroecology 3(1): 36-49. (In Persian with English Summary).
Koocheki, A.R., Karbasi, A.R., and Seyyedi, S.M. 2017. Some reasons for saffron yield loss over the last 30 years period. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 5 (2): 107-122. (In Persian with English Summary).
Kumar, R., Singh, V., Devi, K., Sharma, M., Singh, M.K., and Ahuja, P.S. 2009. State of art of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) agronomy: A comprehensive review. Food Reviews International 25: 44–85.
Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad. 2016. Agricultural Statistics, (Vol. 2). Islamic Republic of Iran, Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, Press. (in Persian).
Moayedi Shahraki, E., Jami Al-Ahmadi, M., and Behdani, M. 2010. Study of energy efficiency of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Southern Khorasan. Agroecology 2 (1): 55-62. (In Persian with English Summary).
Molina, R.V., Valero, M., Navarro, Y., Guardiola J.L., and Garcia-Luice, A. 2005. Temperature effects on flower formation in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Scientia Horticulture 103: 361-379.
Mollafilabi, A., Koocheki, A., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., and Nassiri Mahallati, M. 2013. Effect of plant density and corm weight on yield and yield components of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under soil, hydroponic and plastic tunnel cultivation. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 1 (2): 14-28. (In Persian with English Summary).
Naderi Darbaghshahi, M.R., Khajabashi, S.M., Baniateba, S., and Dehdashti, S.M. 2008. Effects of planting method, density, and depth on yield and production period of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Isfahan region. Seed and Plant Improvement Journal 24 (4): 643-657. (In Persian with English Summary).
Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Khorramdel, S., Amin Ghafori, A., and Shabahang, J. 2013b. Evaluation of growth and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) affected by spent mushroom compost and corm density. Saffron Researches 1 (1): 13-26. (In Persian with English Summary).
Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Khorramdel, S., Shabahang, J., and Amin Ghafouri, A. 2013. Evaluation of planting method, corm weight and density effect on growth characteristics and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Agroecology 3 (1): 52-68. (In Persian with English Summary).