Effect of corm transfer date and maternal corm weight on qualitative traits and yield of saffron in Jiroft condition

The quality and quantity of saffron are affected by several factors, including climatic and environmental conditions. In order to investigate the effects of corm transfer date and weight on qualitative characteristics and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was carried out as a split factorial in time based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in two harvests at the Southern Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Sfandagheh station) in 2017-2018. Experimental treatments were three corm transfer dates (4 June, 5 August and 5 September) and four corm weights (6-8, 8-10, 10-12 and 12-20 g). Crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal contents, flower number and dried stigma yield were measured. The results showed that the effect of corm transfer date and weight and their interaction were significant on the all traits during two years. A separate analysis of the studied factors in two years showed that in the first year, the effect of corm transfer date was significant on taste, aroma, number of flowers and saffron yield but not significant on its pigment content. Effect of corm weight and interaction of corm weight and transfer date were significant on all quality and yield traits of saffron. The results in second year showed that the effect of corm transfer date and weight and their interaction were significant on color and flavor, but for flower traits and yield, only the effect of corm transfer date was significant. Qualitative traits were affected by the corm size and its transfer date. 12-20 g corms had the highest safranal, picrocrocin and crocin content compared to other weight groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that, for the production of high-yield and quality saffron (premium saffron), it is recommended to use large mother corms (above 10 grams) and cultivation in June.