Evaluation of mother corm weights and foliar fertilizer levels on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) growth and yield components

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of three corm weight grades, <5g, 5–10g and >10g, and five levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of Dalfard 15® foliar spraying (specific fertilizer for saffron farms in Iran containing 12% N as NO3−, 8% P, 4% K, 2000mgL−1 iron chelate, 1000mgL−1 Zn, 1000mgL−1 Mg and 500mgL−1 Cu) on growth and yield criteria of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). For this purpose, an experiment as a factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conducted in Research Greenhouse Area of College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during 2008–2010. The result showed that the mother corm weight grades, different levels of foliar fertilizer and their interactions had significant effects on saffron yield components. The highest amount of fresh weight of flower (35.44gm−2) and dry weight of stigma (0.36gm−2) were obtained by mother corms 5–10g and 15% concentration of foliar fertilizer. Daughter corm number increased significantly (241%) by using 15% concentration of foliar fertilizer and mother corm 5–10g compared with using mother corm <5g with no fertilizer spraying. The fresh weight of flowers from mother corms <5g under 20% concentration of foliar fertilizer was statistically the same as the fresh weight of flowers from mother corms 5–10g and >10g with 10% concentration of foliar fertilizer. Totaling, 15% concentration of foliar fertilizer and 5–10g mother corms were the most favorable condition for the entire vegetative and reproductive traits of saffron in this study.