Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Abstract Considering the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental value of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and however the production of more stability and yield through proper crop management, it seems to use new technologies in production and increasing of the yeild of saffron is inevitable, Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of substrate type and depth of coriander cultivation on some morphophysiological characteristics of saffron in the hydroponic system. This experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized factorial design with four replications. Experimental treatments included three types of culture medium (cocopeat, soil and soil compost) and two depths of coriander (5 and 10 cm). Based on the results of this study, the type of cultivation bed had a significant effect on all traits except stigma dry weight and picrocrocin, so that the amount of Total chlorophyll (1.82, 1.06 and 0.75) and the amount of safranal of saffron stigma (19.1, 18.9 and 17) The order was higher in sawdust, cocopeat and sawdust compost beds, respectively. The interaction effect of cultivation bed type and cultivation depth on number of flowers, dry weight of flowers, stigma dry weight and crocin content was significant. The mean of highest number of flowers (29.5) and dry weight of saffron flowers (3.32 gr) were observed in sawdust compost bed and cultivation depth of 10 cm. The dry weight of saffron stigma at both cultivation depth in sawdust compost treatment was significantly higher than cocopeat and sawdust substrates. The highest amount of crocin (the value of 230) was observed in sawdust bed and planting depth of 10 cm. In general, due to the positive effect of sawdust compost in improving the yield and quality of saffron, the use of sawdust compost and cultivation depth of 10 cm for saffron production in the hydroponic system is recommended.