Comparison of the effect of irrigation levels and methods on leaf area and replacement corm production of saffron (.Crocus sativus L)

In order to compare the effect of irrigation levels and methods on leaf area and replacement corm production of saffron during 2013-2014 growing season, a split plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in the Jolgeh Rokh District, in 35 km Torbat Heydarie. The main plot basin irrigation, drip and sprinkler irrigation and sub plot was three levels of irrigation (100, 75 and 50 percent water requirement of saffron). The traits studied were including dry weight, number, diameter and length of leaf, dry weight, size and number of replacement corms, weight and length sheath. Sampling for determining the characteristics of leaf and sheath was done on April 30, and for corm it was done on May 31, 2014. The results showed that in the irrigation method treatments, the most dry weight of corm, leaf and sheath weight, size and number of replacement corm, number, diameter and length of leaf were observed in the case of drip irrigation. In addition, the best yield was observed in drip irrigation and the lowest amount was seen in basin irrigation. Saffron irrigation with the drip method resulted in an increase of the number of replacement corms compared to the sprinkler and basin methods (10 and 34 percent, respectively). The effect of irrigation levels was significant on some of the traits that were studied and the most yield was related to 100 percent irrigation level and the lowest one was in the 50 percent water requirement. Reducing irrigation from 100 to 50% crop water requirement severely reduced replacement corms number and their weight (62 and 86 percent, respectively). Consequently, the most photosynthesis level of Saffron and also the maximum amount of total number and total weight of replacement corms were obtained in the drip irrigation case and 100 percent irrigation level