The effect of soil physiochemical characteristics and field age on agronomic traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

In order to Investigation some soil characteristics and filed age effects on flower and corm yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on complete randomized design with five replications in two regions of Neyshabur during growing season 2009-2010. Treatments were included different filed ages (2, 4 and 6 years) and two geographical regions (Eshagh abad and Soltan abad). Different characteristics such as fresh and dry weight of corm, corm number, number of corm sprout and flower and stigma yield of saffron were determined. Soil physical and chemical characteristics such as soil texture, pH and EC were measured. Results showed that effect of filed age on all characteristics was statistically significant. Flower and stigma yield were affected by region and filed age and region interaction significantly. Positive significant regression was shown between field age and parameters such as fresh and dry weight of corm, number of corm sprout and corm number. With increasing field age to 4 years, saffron yield increased and then decreased. Results showed that changes in stigma and flower yield was significantly related to physical and chemical soil criteria (soil texture, EC, pH) characteristics. Significant negative correlations were observed between clay percentage of soil with corm number, corm dry weight, flower and stigma in.