Evaluation of the effects of soil texture on yield and growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil texture on flower and corm yield of saffron. This experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments and four replications in box at Faculty of Agriculture، Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، Iran، in 2011. Treatments included of: 1- 100% field soil + cow manure، 2- 70% field soil + 30% sand، 3- 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure and 4- 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. Results showed that the effect of soil texture was significant on all flower and corm properties. The highest flower and stigma fresh weight per box (1. 59 and 0. 10 g، respectively) and petal dry weight (0. 12 g) were observed in 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. The highest corm number in 2-3 cm diameter per box was obtained in 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure (3. 75 numbers). Treatment of 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure produced the highest corm number in 3-6 g (1. 75 numbers) and 6-9 g (1. 25 numbers) per box، but the lowest values of most studied indices were obtained in 100% field soil + cow manure. Generally، our results indicated that light soil texture has more advantages than heavy soil texture in saffron cultivation. Therefore، soil modification through lighter soil application can improve saffron flower and corm yield.