Effects of Planting Methods and Corm Weight on Corm and Flower Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Qaenat Region

In order to evaluate the effects of corm weights and planting methods on corm and flower yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted at Esfeden as split-plot based on randomized complete block with four replications during growing 2012-2013. Studied traits were of flower number, flower weight, stigma and style fresh weight, stigma and style dry weight, number of daughter corms and weight of daughter corm. Treatments were three planting methods including mass (traditional), strip and furrow as the main factor and three corm weights such as 6-8, 9-11 and 12-14 g as the sub factor. Results showed that corm weight had the greatest effect on yield of saffron. By increasing corm weight from 6-8 to 9-11 g, yield of flower and stigma and style were improved to 161.65 and 176.19%, respectively. Also, increasing corm weight from 9-11 to 12-14 g, yield of flower and stigma and style raised 44.74 and 47.40%, respectively. Planting method had not significant effect on saffron yield. The number and weight of daughter corms were significantly affected by planting methods and corm weight. The maximum number and weight of daughter corms were for furrow planting and the minimum numbers of daughter corms belong to mass planting and minimum weight of daughter corms were observed from strip planting method. Also the maximum and minimum number and weight of daughter corms resulted in 12-14 and 6-8 g.m-2 corm, respectively. Interaction effects between planting method and corm weight were not significant on saffron yield, just affected the number of daughter corms. As corm weight 12-14 g in furrow planting with 170.8 corms accounted the maximum number of daughter corms per m2, while the corm weight 6-8 g in the mass planting with 74.89 corms had the minimum number of daughter corms per m2. Therefore, by ranking and planting of bigger corms in the first year the same product can be obtained as a traditional farmer can achieved in the third year and the year after, consequently this method could be save the time and costs for farmers.