فهرست مطالب mahsa aghhavani shajari

The common method of traditional saffron production is its production under open-field conditions. Recently, due to climate change outcomes attention has been paid to its production under controlled conditions (hydroponic and aeroponics). In the last two decades, decrease in precipitation, increase in temperature during flower initiation phase and consequently the abortion of some initiated flowers, delay in supplying the proper temperature for flower emergence in autumn, poor soils quality which renders difficulty the flower emergence; have led to the decline in the flowering capacity of saffron in several countries under natural conditions, progressively. Accordingly, its hydroponic production could represent a possible solution for reducing the above-mentioned problems, due to the lack of soil, the proper temperature levels, and providing appropriate water availability in this production system (Behdani & Fallahi, 2015; Aghhavani-Shajari et al., 2021). In addition, under open-field condition, the flowering period of saffron lasts for about three weeks, and during this period of time, high labor is required. To solve this problem, it is possible to extend the corms pseudo-dormancy stage and the flowering phase by using the hydroponic systems, with a controlled environment. In saffron hydroponic planting systems, the amount of water consumption is reduced considerably which is important in dry regions. In addition, flower harvesting in hydroponic system is faster, cheaper, and cleaner, because environmental factors such as wind, dust, and frost, have no effect on flowers (Behdani & Fallahi, 2015; Aghhavani-Shajari et al., 2021; Fallahi et al., 2021a). However, it is necessary to compare the two systems of open-field and hydroponics in terms of the amount of flowering and the quality of the produced stigma.   To compare the effect of saffron corm planting systems (including 1- under controlled environment (hydroponic) and, 2- open-field environment), on flowering indices and stigma color parameters (Hunter lab color scale), an experiment was conducted in the research field and horticultural physiology laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, during 2019, with four replications. In open-field treatment, the corms were planted in soil at a depth of 10 cm and density of 100 corms per m2, while in the hydroponic system corms were planted in trays (30×40 cm, 100 corms per tray) and were transferred to incubator (temperature: 15 oC, relative humidity: 75%, 8 hours light, 16 hours darkness). In this experiment, the traits of flower number, flowering rate, flower yield, mean flower weight, flower length, style length, stigma length, dry yield of stigma and petal, anther yield, and Hunter's color indices including brightness (L), redness (a) and yellowness (b) of saffron stigma were measured. The two planting systems were compared using t-student test, by SAS, 9.2.  The results of analysis of variance showed that there was a significant different between two experimental treatments, in terms of the most studied traits. Based on the mean comparison results, there was no difference between production systems for the number and yield of flowers. However, the maximum flowering rate (5.82 flowers day-1) and the mean flower weight (0.34 g) were obtained in the hydroponics system. Also, planting corms under controlled conditions resulted in the maximum length of flower, style and stigma (7.38, 4.40 and 2.49 cm, respectively). In addition, the highest dry yield of saffron stigma was obtained in the controlled environment, so that this treatment was superior by almost 14% compared to the open-field environment. This finding is similar to those reported previously by Maggio et al., (2006), Aghhavani-Shajar et al., (2021) and Khan et al., (2022). The comparison of the color parameters between the two studied treatments showed that the maximum brightness (L) and redness (a) of the stigma (57.52 and 15.41, respectively) were observed in the hydroponic system. In a similar study, it was reported that stigmas obtained from soil less production system had higher L and crocin values, while safranal content was significantly lower in comparison to traditional production system (open-field), which means that stigma produced under open-field was some darker in appearance but had a higher aroma (Aghhavani-shajari et al., 2021).  In general, corm planting in a controlled environment increased stigma yield and improved partially stigma colorimetric parameters.

Abiotic environmental stresses such as drought and salinity are important factors in reducing crop yield in many parts of the world (Muscolo et al., 2016). Water scarcity is the most important factor in reducing the production of crops in arid areas. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the sustainable use of water resources, especially in arid and semi-arid regions (Dabhi et al., 2013; Samadzadeh et al., 2020). Introducing new drought-tolerant crops is the main strategy for sustainable crop production in arid regions (Samadzadeh et al., 2020). Besides, deficit irrigation and foliar application of osmolyte compounds such as glycine betaine can be considered to reduce the effect of drought stress on plant growth and yield (Fallahi et al., 2015; Tian et al., 2017).

In this experiment, the effects of water availability and foliar application of glycine betaine (GB) were studied on the growth and yield of quinoa. The experiment was carried out as factorial based on a complete randomized block design with three replicates in Sarayan, south Khorasan province, Iran. Experimental factors were (1) irrigation management regimes (irrigation after 70, 140, and 210 mm pan evaporation) and (2) GB foliar application (0 zero or distilled water and 150 mg. l-1).

There were no significant differences between irrigation levels in terms of many vegetative and reproductive parameters such as plant height, plant dry weight, number of panicles per plant, panicle length, and its dry weight. An increase in water stress severity caused a reduction in biological yield and 1000-grain weight, but seed yield did not decrease. GB application increased the values of plant dry weight, biological yield, chlorophyll index (SPAD), and the number of panicles per plant, while reduced reducing seed yield. Interaction results of experimental factors revealed that the highest biological yield (2533.3 kg ha-1) was obtained by GB and irrigation after 70 mm pan evaporation, while the lowest value (1433.3 kg ha-1) was gained by the no-GB and 210 mm pan evaporation. The highest seed yield values were obtained by 70 and 210 mm pan evaporation (250.7 and 245.4 kg ha-1, respectively) combined with the no-GB application. In general, due to the scarcity of water resources in arid areas, quinoa irrigation after 210 mm pan evaporation can be recommended.

Quinoa had an acceptable resistance to drought stress. Seed yield in this experiment was much lower than the plant's genetic potential, which could be due to improper planting date and density. Therefore, research on other quinoa cultivars, other planting dates, and foliar application of glycine-betaine at other concentrations and times can complement the results of the present experiment.

Germination is one of the most important stages of plant growth that is influenced by environmental stresses. Salinity and drought stresses are remarkable factors in reducing the germination parameters, growth and yield of plants in arid and semi-arid regions. In this experiment, the effect of different levels of drought (0, -2,-4, -6, -8, -10, -12, -14 bar produced by polyethylene glycol) and salinity stress (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 mmol induced by sodium chloride) were evaluated on germination indices of roselle. For this purpose, two separate experiments based on a completely randomized design with 4 replicates were conducted at crop physiology laboratory of Sarayan Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand in 2015. Numbers of germinated seeds in each petri-dish were counted and recorded once every 24 hours and germination indices were measured at the end of the eighth day which germination was fixed. Analysis of variance showed significant effects of drought and salinity stresses on the germination and seedling growth parameters of roselle. Drought stress reduced germination characteristics of roselle; where the maximum germination percent and rate were observed in control treatment (84.37% and 6.02 day-1 , respectively) and the minimum amounts of them (4.37% and 0.19 day-1 ) were obtained at -12 bar. The difference between the lowest amount of radical and plumule length under drought stress was 99.4 % compared to control treatment. Furthermore, in salinity stress experiment, the highest amounts of germination percent and rate and plumule and radical length (91.25%, 6.68 day-1 , 45.10 and 31.39 mm, respectively) were obtained in control treatment and the level of 350 mmol induced the lowest germination percent and rate. Totally, roselle had relatively resistance up to -6 bar of drought stress and 100 mmol of salinity stress.

In order to study the effects of biological nutrition and irrigation managements on qualitative indices of fenugreek, an experiment was carried out in split plot based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and 15 treatments at Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Azad University, Birjand, Iran, during growing season of 2010-2011. Experimental treatments included irrigation interval (in three levels including irrigation every 6, 9 and 12 days) and biofertilizer (in five levels including nitroxin, biosphere, and micorhyza fungi of G. mosseae, G. intraradices and control treatment or none fertilizer). Results of statistical analysis showed that irrigation treatments had a significant effect on physiological indices like carbohydrate, chlorophyll a, ash, Na, K and proline. The effect of biofertilizer was significant on carbohydrate, chlorophyll a, and on ash. Results showed that proline, carbohydrate, Na, chlorophyll b and ash improved by increasing irrigation interval to every 12 days but K and chlorophyll a decreased. The highest content of carbohydrate, chlorophyll and ashwere observed in G. mosseae, biosphere and G. intraradices, respectively. Overall, results showed that application of biofertilizers had positive effects on qualitative indices of fenugreek and created type of plant adaptation to drought stress.

IntroductionConservation agriculture (CA) has been proposed as a set of principles that could help reverse widespread soil degradation in the region and help farmers stabilize yields by mitigating the effects climate variability. Though numerous questions remain on how CA practices might fit in a complex mix grain- grazing farming systems, where limited land, cash and labor impose severe constraints on farmers’ options. Intercropping is a CA approach that has been traditionally practiced in many parts of world and has some advantages over monocultures. One of its obvious advantages may be to increase forage protein, the principle being improvement of forage quality through the complementary effects of two or more crops grown simultaneously on the same area of land. Intercropping supplies efficient resource utilization, reduces risk to the environment and production costs, and provides greater financial stability, making the system more suitable particularly for labor-intensive, small farmers. Morpho-physiological differences and agronomic factors such as the proportion of crops in the mixture and fertilizer application regulate competition between component crops for growth-limiting factors. Greater total uptake of nutrients and other growth factors by the component crops in the intercropping is the primary cause of obtaining intercropping advantage. Intercropping research studies involving a cereal and a legume have not considered the combined effect of fertilizer application and plant population variation. Maize and beans are important food crops, mostly grown by resource- poor farmers in complex and risky farming systems. Morgado & Willey (2003) showed that competitive effect of intercrop beans on maize yields was high at higher plant populations.
Materials & MethodsIn order to study the production potential and competitiveness of sweet corn and bean varieties, an experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, during growing season of 2014-2015. Treatments included different combinations of bean (B) and sweet corn (C): 25%B%C, 50%B%C, 75%B%C and bean varieties and their monoculture. Bean varieties consisted cowpea, white, red, pinto and landrace and chase sweet corn. Studied criteria were yield components (pod number per plant, seed number per pod and 100-seed weight), biological yield, seed yield and harvest index (HI) of bean and biological yield, seed yield and HI of sweet corn and land equivalent ratio (LER).
Results & DiscussionThe results indicated that effect of intercropping ratios were significant (p≤0.05) on seed yield, biological yield, HI, pod number per plant and seed number per pod and biological yield and seed yield of bean. The highest seed yield of bean was observed in 75%B 25%C with 1675 g.m-2 and the lowest was related to 25%B 75%C with 778 g.m-2. The maximum seed yield was obtained in pinto (2342.33 g.m-2) and the minimum was achieved in landrace (847.75 g.m-2). Seed yield of sweet corn in monoculture was higher than intercropping ratios, but by increasing density in intercropping ratios with bean varieties it significantly enhanced. The highest and the lowest seed yield in intercropping ratios were observed in 75%C 25%B with 7348.1 g.m-2 and 25%C 75%B with 3466 g.m-2, respectively. In all combinations of intercropping ratios LER was higher than 1, that it represents intercropping is better than monoculture. The maximum land equivalent ratio was calculated with 1.47 for 25%B (landrace) 75%C. The results showed that landrace was competitive than other varieties.
ConclusionThe effect of intercropping ratios of sweet corn with bean landraces were significant (p≤0.05) on seed yield, biological yield, HI and yield components of the crops. The maximum seed yield was obtained in pinto and the minimum was achieved in landrace. Seed yield of sweet corn in monoculture was higher than intercropping ratios, but by increasing density in intercropping ratios with bean varieties it significantly enhanced. According to the results, intercropping of plants of 25%B (landrace) 75%C can be beneficial in term of ecological management.

IntroductionThese days, using different chemical fertilizers has different negative effects such as imbalance soil nutrient, soil, water and air pollution and decrease quantitative and qualitative yield of crops, which increase environmental hazardous and production costs. Organic fertilizers providing the plants nutritional requirements and stabilizing soil fertility without having undesirable impact on the environment and crop quality. It has been reported that integrated organic and chemical fertilizer consumption in agro ecosystems increase chemical fertilizers efficiency and also decrease environmental impacts. Roselle is one of the most important medicinal plants of the Malvaceae family which is cultivated in southern parts of Iran. Roselle has been using as a folk remedy for abscesses, dyspepsia, cancer, debility since ancient times. Roselle is grown mainly for its calyces which contain vitamin C, anthocyanin, antioxidants, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Improved soil nutrients by using organic and chemical fertilizer together could improve the quality of the secondary metabolite content of Roselle. The present study was conducted to better understand the effect of integrated organic and chemical fertilizer on growth indices of Roselle in Mashhad, Iran condition.
Materials and MethodsIn order to study the effects of integrated organic and chemical fertilizers on growth indices of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), a field experiment was conducted with 11 treatments based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research station of faculty of agriculture, Ferdowsi university of Mashhad, Iran, during year 2013-2014. The experimental treatments were including: 1- Mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices), 2- Cow manure, 3- Chemical fertilizer, 4- Vermi-compost, 5- Chemical fertilizer Cow manure, 6- Chemical fertilizer Vermi-compost, 7- Chemical fertilizer Mycorrhiza, 8- Cow manure Mycorrhiza, 9- Vermi-compost Mycorrhiza, 10- Cow manure Vermi-compost ㌧⢮롢, and Control. The seeds were sown at greenhouse and then seedlings were transplanted to the farm at two mounts age. The land lied fallow for two years before year of the experiment. Seed bed was prepared using plough and disk in autumn 2014. Plots were designed with 4 m long and 3.75 m width, 1 m apart each other. Between blocks, 2 m alley was kept. The seedling sowing was performed by hand on the middle of furrows. Growth analysis samples were taken from 75 x 125 cm quadrates from middle of each plots in five times. The trend of Roselle plant dry matter (DM), leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were recorded through the growing season. For analysis of data and drawing shapes, Minitab Ver. 16 and Sigma Plot Ver. 11 softwares were used.
Results and DiscussionThe results indicated that the highest LAI (5.89) was obtained in chemical fertilizer treatment. Integrated cow manure爗ꚉ욥 fertilizer treatment produced the highest dry matter (9887.23 kg. ha-1) compared with other treatments. The highest CGR (23.47 g / m2. day-1) was achieved in mycorrhiza chemical fertilizer treatment. The lowest LAI (3.4), DM (7618 kg.ha-1) and CGR (16.48 g. m-2. day-1) were shown in control, cow manure Vermi-compost ㌧⢮롢 and cow manure treatments, respectively. The highest LAI, DM and CGR were obtained at 156 days after transplanting to the farm. There was a significant correlation between plant height and calyx yield. Our results are in agreement with some experiments which use of organic and inorganic fertilizer on Roselle.
ConclusionThe result of this experiment revealed that using of chemical and organic fertilizer in integrated form instead of individual application has a beneficial effect on improving the growth indices of Roselle. Based on the results of this experiment it can be concluded that the age of seedlings for transplanting to the farm should be at least three mounts and the direct sowing Roselle at Mashhad condition would not be recommended.

IntroductionRoselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is an annual herbaceous plant which grows properly in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Sepals are the main commercial part of roselle with unique brilliant red colour and flavor which are containing many nutritional compounds such as anthocyanin and vitamin C. Accordingly, sepals commonly are used in food industries for production of beverages, juices, jams and syrup (Duangmal et al., 2008; Sanjari-Mijani et al. 2015). Therefore, production of high quality sepals via the good agronomic practices is an important topic in roselle cultivation. So far, the effect of irrigation management (Rahbarian et al. 2011), mycorrhizal inoculation (Sembok et al. 2015) and humic acid application (Sanjari-Mijani et al. 2015) on some qualitative and quantitative indices of roselle has been evaluated in some studies. However, the impacts of mentioned factors on colour characteristics of dried sepals including hunter color values, colour intensity and hue angle has not been studied. Therefore, due to the impact of colour on marketability and drug quality, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water availability, mycorrhizal symbiosis and humic acid application on colour indices of dried sepals in roselle.
Materials and methodsIn this experiment, the influence of irrigation regimes [irrigation after 100 mm (normal irrigation) and 200 mm (deficit irrigation) pan evaporation], humic acid application (0 and 4 kg.ha-1) and mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus versiforme, Glomus intraradices and control) were studied on colour characteristic of roselle sepals. For this purpose an experiment at the form of split-split-plot layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out during 2015-16 at research field of Sarayan Faculty of Agriculture (33ºN, 58ºE, 1450 masl, annual precipitation of 150 mm and annual temperature of 17ºC.) in east part of Iran. Seed planting was done on 20 April using Sistan & Balochestan ecotype with 10×50 cm intra and inter-rows distances. Humic acid was used in irrigation water two times during vegetative growth of roselle i.e. 15 and 35 days after emergence. All plots were irrigated similarly two times during the first week after seed sowing and then irrigation treatments were exerted separately in each plot until November 15 when irrigation was stopped. After that, calyces belonged to each treatment were harvested and dried separately in ambient temperature and shade condition of laboratory and then were used for colour analysis. Color of dried sepals was evaluated using a colorimeter (TES 135, Shenzhen Youfu Tools Co., Ltd. - TAIWAN). Results were expressed as Hunter color values (l*, a* and b*). L is the brightness ranging from 0 (black) to 100 (white). The value a* is the redness ranging from negative values for green to positive values for red. The value b* is the yellowness ranging from negative values for blue and positive values for yellow. In addition, color intensity (Chroma), hue angle and browning index were calculated using equations presented by Duangmal et al., (2008). Finally, data were statistically analyzed using SAS 9.1 and means were compared by duncan test at 5% level of probability
Results and discussionResults showed that the effect of experimental factors was significant on most of colour indices in roselle calyces. Droughts stress reduced a* value, hue angle and chroma by 22, 53 and 15% respectively. Humic acid application also reduced the amount of hue by 63% while increased the b/a by 25%. Both mycorrhizal species enhanced the hue index by 66% compared with control treatment. Results of interaction effects revealed that the highest amount of b/a (0.19) was obtained at droughts stress × humic application × mycorrhizal inoculation, while its lowest value (0.02) observed at no stress ×no-humic ×no-inoculation treatment. In addition, the maximum amount of hue (215 º) was obtained at no water stress × humic application × mycorrhizal inoculation using Glomus versiforme. The treatment of no stress × no humic × mycorrhizal symbiosis produced the maximum amount of redness index. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between a* with chroma (.64**) and browning index (-0.71**) as well as between hue and redness index (.00**). Overall, colour quality of roselle sepals was more suitable under appropriate water supply. In addition, mycorrhizal inoculation partially reduced the negative impacts of droughts stress on calyxes colour characteristics. The reducing effect of sever water stress and the positive role of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, yield and quality of roselle has been previously reported by other researchers (Rahbarian et al., 2011; Sembok et al. 2015). It has been reported that red anthocyanins in sepals of roselle are responsible of its brilliant red colour (Duangmal et al., 2008). Our qualitative analysis revealed that the amount of anthocyanins in drought stress condition was 12% lower than no stress treatment. Furthermore, mycorrhizal symbiosis using G. intraradices and Glomus versiforme improved the amount of this index by 20 and 5%, respectively (data are not presented). These observations are in accordance with the trend of redness change in dried sepals. Accordingly, it seems that more redness and a*, hue angle in no stress and inoculation treatments is because of more anthocyanin content in related plants. This finding is also understandable from positive regression relation between redness index and sepals anthocyanin content.
ConclusionsConsidering to colour characteristics and regards to yield and qualitative indices such as anthocyanin and vitamin c content (data are not presented), it seems that appropriate water availability and use of mycorrhizal symbiosis are two good strategies for roselle production.

Saffron production will be increased in arid regions by providing sufficient water through appropriate agronomic strategies. Therefore, in this investigation the impact of different rates of super absorbent polymer (SAP) including 0,10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kg ha-1 was studied on saffron flowering traits during two growth cycles. Results showed that the influence of experimental factor was significant on almost all studied indices in both years. Number of flower was on average 22% more than control when 30-40 kg ha-1 SAP was used. Flower yield in the first growth cycle was higher in 40 kg ha-1 (24.9 g.m-2) and in the second one in 30 kg ha-1 (89.4 g.m-2) SAP application, while these values in control treatment were 19.7 and 71.2 g.m-2 for the first and second seasons, respectively. Altogether in two years application of 40 kg ha-1 SAP produced the highest fresh stigma style yield (4.54 g.m-2) compared with the control (3.47 g.m-2). SAP application at the rates of more than 30 kg ha-1 increased dry stigma yield in average of two years (0.45, 0.50, 0.49 and 0.44 g.m-2 for 0, 30, 40 and 50 kg.ha-1 treatments, respectively). In addition, SAP usage at the rate of 40 kg ha-1 produced the highest number (12.6) and weight (86 g per plant) of replacement corms at the end of second growth season. In total, it seems that SAP consumption can be considered as a suitable option for improvement of saffron flowering in areas affected by drought stress.

This experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of cover crops on weeds population, flower and corm yield of saffron. The experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2013-14. The treatments included six cover crops: barely (Hordeum vulgare), persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum), fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum – Graecum L.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), rapeseed (Brassica napus) and arugula (Eruca sativa) and control. The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of cover crops was significant on all of the studied properties. The maximum flower number (23.m-2), flower fresh weight (61.88 kg.ha-1) and stigma dry weight (0.990 kg.ha-1) were observed in the planting of rapeseed. The stigma dry weight at the control treatment was 41% more than planting a different kind of cover crops. Furthermore, the highest total weight of replacement corms and replacement corms weight without tunic per clone were obtained at the control and then planting of rapeseed as a cover crop. The number of replacement corms per clone among cover crop treatments was about 17% more than that of control. However, the lowest amount of all parameters of flower and corm of saffron were obtained for arugula, Fabaceae species and barely cover crop treatments. Meanwhile, the minimum amount of weed density was observed for barely, arugula, Fabaceae species cover crops treatments and control. Therefore, the results indicated that control and rapeseed as a cover crop treatments had better effects on the flower and corm parameters of saffron.

Two field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and irrigation management on seed and essential oil yields of Cumin, as well as the impact of water quality on water holding capacity of SAP. Salinity had a negative effect on the amount of water absorbed by SAP (335 and 59 g H2O per g SAP, for distilled water and solution of 0.5% NaCl, respectively). SAP application (30 kg.ha-1) along with three times irrigation at sowing, flowering and seed filling stages increased the amounts of seed and essential oil yields by 2.79 and 3.05 times, compared to control. Positive effects of SAP were related to enhancement of soil water holding capacity (120 gr irrigation water per gr SAP), leaf area duration (one week) and subsequently grain filling period.

In this study effect of irrigation managements including irrigation after 100 and 200 mm pan evaporation as normal and deficit irrigation respectively was investigated in Roselle plants. Effects of humic acid (including 0 and 4 kg ha-1) and mycorrhizal inoculants (including Glomus versiforme (GV) and Rhizophagus irregularis (RI)) were also studied on growth, yield and mycorrhizal symbiosis index of Roselle plants. Drought stress reduced the amounts of morphological indices and yield components, while mycorrhizal treatment particularly RI inoculation and to a lower extent humic acid application reduced the negative impacts of water deficit on growth and yield of Roselle plants. Both inoculants of mycorrhizal fungi increased the economical yield of Roselle under drought stress condition, where the amount of calyx yield for RI, GV and control in 200 mm pan-evaporation treatment was 130, 127 and 66 kg ha-1, respectively. In addition, the highest root mycorrhizal frequency was obtained at normal irrigation × humic application × RI (95%) and the lowest value was observed at deficit irrigation × no-humic × no-mycorrhizal inoculation (31.6%) treatment. In conclusion, combined effects of experimental factors showed that seed inoculation of plants by mycorrhiza and to some extent application of humic acid are two reliable strategies for Roselle production under deficit irrigation.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil texture on flower and corm yield of saffron. This experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four treatments and four replications in box at Faculty of Agriculture، Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، Iran، in 2011. Treatments included of: 1- 100% field soil + cow manure، 2- 70% field soil + 30% sand، 3- 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure and 4- 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. Results showed that the effect of soil texture was significant on all flower and corm properties. The highest flower and stigma fresh weight per box (1. 59 and 0. 10 g، respectively) and petal dry weight (0. 12 g) were observed in 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure. The highest corm number in 2-3 cm diameter per box was obtained in 70% field soil + 30% sand + cow manure (3. 75 numbers). Treatment of 70% sand + 30% field soil + cow manure produced the highest corm number in 3-6 g (1. 75 numbers) and 6-9 g (1. 25 numbers) per box، but the lowest values of most studied indices were obtained in 100% field soil + cow manure. Generally، our results indicated that light soil texture has more advantages than heavy soil texture in saffron cultivation. Therefore، soil modification through lighter soil application can improve saffron flower and corm yield.