Corm size and planting density affect the yield and longevity of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Parthenopi E. RALLI; George MENEXES; Christos A. DORDAS

doi:10.15835/nbha52213556

Authors

Parthenopi E. RALLI Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Directorate General of Agricultural Research, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DIMITRA, 570 01 Thermi-Thessaloniki; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy, 541 24 Thessaloniki (GR)
George MENEXES Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy, 541 24 Thessaloniki (GR)
Christos A. DORDAS Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Agronomy, 541 24 Thessaloniki (GR)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha52213556

Keywords:

corm size, flower yield, longevity, planting distance, stigma yield

Abstract

The effect of the corm size of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and the planting density was determined on a field study for six years. The objective of the present study was to determine the impact of the corm size and planting density on flower and stigma yields. Two corm sizes were used: corms with a diameter up to 2.5 cm and corms with a diameter greater than 2.5 cm, and five planting density: 22, 27, 33, 44 and 67 corms/m² with planting distances 30, 25, 20, 15 and 10 cm on the plant row, respectively. The results showed that the year (growing season) and the interaction of year (growing season) with corm size affected all the characteristics that were studied. Over the six-year study period, there was a gradual increase in flowering from the first to the third year, followed by a decline in the fifth and sixth years. The yield of larger corms (greater than 2.5 cm) was higher during the first three years, while smaller corms (less than 2.5 cm) produced higher yields in the fourth through sixth years. On the contrary, the planting density, did not significantly affect the characteristics studied over the six years of cultivation and therefore did not affect the stigma yield of saffron. Therefore, corm size together with the environment are important factors that can affect the productivity and the longevity of the crop and should be considered when planting a new saffron cultivation.

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