Evaluation of planting method, corm weight and density effects on growth characteristics and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

In order to evaluate the effects of corm density، weight and planting method on the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)، a factorial field experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station، College of Agriculture، Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، during two growing seasons of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. The treatments were three corm weights (<5 g، 5-8 g and >8 g)، two corm densities in 40 cm (5 and 10 corms) and two planting methods (row and mass). Criteria such as leaf dry weight، tunic dry weight، leaf length، corm diameter، number of daughter corms، corm number and corm weight in three groups of weight (2-4، 4-8 and 8-16 g)، flower number، flower fresh weight and stigma weight of saffron per area unit were measured. The results indicated that the simple effects of corm weight and density and planting method were significant on all characteristics of saffron during the two years of the experiment. By increasing corm density and weight، growth characteristics and stigma yield of saffron were enhanced. By increasing corm density from 5 to 10 corms in 40 cm، stigma yield was enhanced up to 12 and 10% for the first and the second years، respectively. By enhancing corm weight form <5 g to >8 g stigma yield was increased up to 100% for two years of experiment. In the first and the second years، mass planting method increased stigma yield up to 23 and 25% compared to row planting method for the first and the second years، respectively. Interaction effects of the different treatments were not significant on saffron traits.