Effects of Planting Method, Density and Depth on Yield and Production Period of Saffron ( Crocus sativus L. ) in Isfahan Region

production period of saffron in field, an experiment was carried out for three years (2001- 2003) in Agricultural Research Station of Khorasgan Islamic Azad University in Isfahan. Experimental treatments were two planting methods (ridge-and-furrow and plot), two planting depths (15 and 20 cm) and three plant densities (44.4, 88.8 and 177.6 corms/m ). Experimental design was factorial at the randomized complete block with four replications Data of the second and third years of study were analyzed. According to the results, the highest yield and the longst production period of saffron belonged to the highest plant density(177.6 corms/m ) and the deeper planted corm (20 cm) treatments. Moreover flower- tubes elongated more with increasing of plant depth (20 cm ) . In this study , planting method had no significant effect on the agronomical traits and yield of saffron