Effects of planting pattern and the first irrigation date on growth and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Studies on crop improvement of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) can play an important role in development of this native crop. In this context, an experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications, during 2005-2010 years. First studied factor was planting pattern of saffron (planting distances of 20×5, 20×10, 20×15 and 20×20 cm) and the second one was irrigation management (first irrigation performed at the beginning of September, the beginning of October and early November). During these experiments these criteria were studied: fresh flowers yield, stigma dry yield, fresh and dry forage yield, number of mother corm, number of replacement corm, replacement number of corm per mother corm, the total weight of corms without scales, the total weight of scales, weight ratio of corm scales-less to scales, the total weight of corms, the average weight of corms, average diameter of corms, average number of buds per corm, the total number of buds, the percentage of corm with abnormal root, leaf dry weight and leaf area. The results showed that, only the planting pattern was affected the studied indexes and the influence of irrigation time and interaction effects between planting pattern and irrigation was not significant. The results of mean comparison showed that the pattern 10*20 cm was comparatively advantage in respect to the studied characteristics. As in this treatment more fresh flower yield (170 kg.ha-1), dry stigma yield (12 kg.ha-1), average weight of corms (9.2 g) and average corm diameter (1.5 cm) was observed. The highest yield of fresh and dry forage (3916 and 1276 kg.ha-1, respectively) was obtained in the pattern 5x20 cm, and then was located 10×20 cm. Moreover, the highest frequency of corm was stand in weight of less than three grams and less than two centimeters in diameter.