Effects of Different Levels of Algae Extract and Mother Corm Weight on Photosynthetic Pigment Content, Growth and Yield of Saffron

For investigation the effect of algae extracts and mother corm weights on flower yield and growth characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted at Research Farm of College of Agricultural, University of Birjand, during 2017. The factors included three seaweed extracts (0, 15 and 30 L ha-1) and three corm weights [0.1- 4 (small), 4.1 – 8 (medium) and 8.1 - 12g (large-sized)] which were tested in a RCBD with three replications. Application of algae extract had a significant effect on flower yield, stigma yield, leaf weight and chlorophyll a content. The highest flower yield (1.29 g.m-2), dry stigma yield (0.059 g.m-2), leaf dry weight (0.092 g per plant) and chlorophyll a (11.1 mg g-1 FW) were obtained at 30 L ha-1 of algae extract, while the lowest amounts of flower yield (1.061 g m-2), stigmas yield (0.052 g m-2), leaves weight (0.076 g per plant) and chlorophyll a (0.98 g-1 FW) were gained in the control treatment. However, no significant difference was found between the levels 15 and 30 L ha-1 of algae extract. Corm weight also significantly influenced all studied traits. The highest number of flowers (4.7 per m-2), stigma length (33.6 mm), number of leaves (9.3 per plant) and leaf length (33.6 cm) were found in large corms, but the smallest of them were obtained from small ones. Based on the results of the interaction effects of experimental factors, the highest chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll (1.79 and 2.98 mg g-1 FW, respectively) were obtained from 30 L ha-1 of algae extract and large corms. Overall, the use of organic algae extract (30 L ha-1) and planting of larger mother corms significantly improved the growth and stigma yield of saffron.