Corm Production Research Articles

Effect of different soil compositions and growth conditions on the corm production of Gladiolus grandiflorus L.

ABSTRACT Gladiolus grandiflorus L. is widely grown in most regions of Pakistan. However, propagules production per unit area is not sufficient. Therefore, pot experiments were undertaken at the Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar during 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 with the aim of investigating the effect of different soil compositions (substrates) and growth conditions on corms and cormels production. The experiment was performed according to two factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), repeated twice. For the first time four substrates, i.e. Clay+Silt (2:1), Farmyard manure (FYM)+Clay+Silt (1:1:1), Poultry manure (PM)+Clay+Silt (1:2:2) and PM+FYM+Clay+Silt (1:1:2:2), were used at different growth conditions, i.e. Control, Single lath, Double lath, Plastic and Double lath+Plastic, to explore their effects on corms yield. The FYM+Clay+Silt substrate significantly stimulated number of leaves per plant, leaf area, chlorophyll content, spikes emergence, spike length, plant height, flowers opening, number of florets per spike, number of corms and cormels per plant, fresh weight and diameter of corms in both seasons. The PM+Clay+Silt substrate had shown negative results in the first season. However, this noxious effect was minimised during the second trial. Among growth conditions, Single lath shade significantly enhanced spike length and all corm yielding parameters. Thus, treatments of FYM+Clay+Silt (1:1:1) and Single lath shade were found to be effectual in obtaining the maximum number of corms and cormels of Gladiolus grandiflorus L. in the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar.

Effect of Different Spacing and Corm Size on Growth and Corm Production of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv Punjab Dawn under Malwa Plateau of Madhya Pradesh

The present experiment was carried out at Bahadari research farm of College of Horticulture, Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) during rabi season of 2020-21 with an aim to find out the effect of different spacing and corm size on growth and corm production of gladiolus, using the three spacing’s (S1 30 × 30 cm, S2 30 × 20 cm and S3 20 × 20 cm) and three corm sizes (C1 <3.0 cm, C2 3.0-4.0 cm and C3 >4.0 cm). The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications. The result revealed that, the plant produced from wider spacing with larger corm size (30 × 30 cm + >4.0 cm) was superior in days taken to sprouting (9.07 days), number of sprouts per hill (3.07), plant height at 60 DAP (62 cm), number of leaves per hill at 60 DAP (20.73), length of longest leaf at 60 DAP (46.47 cm), width of longest leaf at 60 DAP (2.85 cm), number of corms per hill (3.47) and weight of corms per hill (71.20 g) at maturity stage.

Saffron Blooms Beyond Soil: A Thorough Review on Soilless Corm Production Strategies

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a highly valuable spice and medicinal plant known for its potent aromatic compounds. Due to its scarcity and susceptibility to various challenges, including adverse weather, soil conditions, and adulteration. There is a growing interest in soilless cultivation methods such as hydroponics to enhance saffron production. This article discusses the potential benefits of soilless cultivation, the structure for cultivating corms in hydroponic systems, the choice of growing media, nutrient solutions, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and environmental conditions, including light spectrum modulation, to optimize saffron corm production.

Propagation of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Using Cross-Cuttings under a Controlled Environment

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a valuable geophyte plant and one of the most expensive spices in the world. Recently, the demand for saffron spice has increased in worldwide markets owing to its enormous application and value. However, the production of saffron is limited by the vegetative propagation technique and the limited number of high-quality corms planted. Furthermore, climatic changes, notably increasing temperatures, negatively influence saffron multiplication and growth. Thus, it is important to develop alternative cultivation and propagation techniques for saffron under a controlled environment, which could ensure an increase in saffron yield and avoid the negative impact of climatic changes. The present study aimed to develop an alternative method for vegetative propagation of Crocus sativus under controlled conditions. The effect of different cross-cuttings, including basal cuttings (BCs) and top-to-bottom cuttings (CTBs), was evaluated on shoot, leaf, flower, and daughter corm production. All the growth parameters examined were influenced by the cutting treatment applied. The results showed that the highest number of shoots formed was obtained by BCs and CTBs, with an average of 6.68 and 5.47 shoots per corm, respectively, compared to the control with an average of 2.70 shoots per corm. The cutting treatment positively affected the formation of daughter corms in which, the high mean number of corms recorded was obtained by the BC treatment. Meanwhile, the lower size of the daughter corms was obtained after the cross-cutting treatment. This is the first report that provides an alternative propagation for saffron using a controlled environment, which could help to improve the production of saffron.

Simulation of saffron growth using AquaCrop model with high-resolution measured data

Saffron is one of the most expensive and worth-to-cultivate crops in countries struggling with water scarcity due to its low water requirement and compatibility with arid climates. This study was conducted to calibrate and validate the AquaCrop model for saffron at the research farm of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM), Iran, in two growing seasons of 2021–2022 (two-year-old saffron) and 2022–2023 (three-year-old saffron). The soil water content, canopy cover, and biomass values were measured continuously during both growing seasons. The field measurements of the first and second growing seasons were used to calibrate and validate the AquaCrop model, respectively. Furthermore, using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, a new module for the inverse solution of the AquaCrop model has been presented. The module was successfully employed to fine-tune sensitive soil parameters of the field. The results showed that the AquaCrop model could accurately simulate soil water content, biomass, and canopy cover in both growing seasons. The root mean square error (RMSE) of simulations for soil water content, biomass, and canopy cover comparing to in-situ measured data was 8.3 mm, 0.3 ton ha−1 and 3.4% for the first year and 5.5 mm, 0.4 ton ha−1 and 2.7% for the second year, respectively. In these simulations, the saffron daughter corm production was considered as the crop yield, because the stigma yield is affected by the climatic conditions of the past year while corms are produced at the end of the prevailing season. To investigate the effect of cold and heat on saffron yield, the hottest and coldest growing seasons in the past 30 years were determined in 6 regions besides Mashhad, and the biomass in these seasons was simulated using the model. It was concluded that the cold growing season had a more significant effect than the hot season in reducing the saffron corm yield.

PGPR mediated enhancement of saffron corm production in non-traditional area of Himachal Pradesh, India

In India, saffron (Crocus sativus) cultivation is being extensively promoted in non-traditional areas mainly in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In this regard, the availability of good quality planting material (large corms) is a major limitation. Hence, efforts were made to increase the production of daughter corms in farmers’ fields through the application of thermotolerant PGPR FS2 which could retain its growth-promoting potential over a wide temperature regime. The bacterial community was assessed through metagenomic approach. The PGPR FS2 was isolated from the bacterial community associated with the saffron rhizosphere. Stringent screening processes were adopted to select appropriate PGPR to successfully produce bigger-size saffron corms which are of economic importance. The study highlights the positive role of Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in promoting the commercial cultivation of saffron in nontraditional areas of HP India through organic argopractice.

Do effective microorganisms and supermagro fertilizers improve Gladiolus quality?

In this study, we evaluated the response of different gladiolus cultivars (Traderhorn, Joyeuse Entrée, and Purple Flora) to Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Supermagro fertilizers under the hypothesis that a combined EM+Supermagro fertilizer raises gladiolus floral stem and corm production to commercial standards of quality. The field experiment had a randomized block design in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement totaling to 9 treatments in 3 replications. Of the 10 plants per plot, 6 each were evaluated for this study. Gladiolus stem and corm quality was assessed via analysis of variance and the means compared using Tukey's test at 5% error probability. The plants that received EM+Supermagro had a 15% higher final corm number compared to plants that received the chemical fertilizer with NPK+Urea. For final corm fresh mass (g), plants with NPK+Urea exhibited higher post-harvest values, with the Joyeuse Entrée cultivar producing the most and newer corms. Commercial floral stem quality parameters such as stem and tassel length and stem perimeter were met with both EM+Supermagro/NPK+Urea use and without fertilization, though EM+Supermagro especially improved floral stems and gladiolus corms. These parameters indicated that EM+Supermagro biofertilizer use assures national (stem) and international (corm) gladiolus quality standards, making it compatible with sustainable gladiolus production. EM+Supermagro fertilizer further serves as a social technology that favors small and medium producers due to its reduced input costs; it is also useful in the development of organic agriculture, one of the main agricultural demands in the modern day.

Performance of BARI-released gladiolus varieties under the climatic conditions of young Brahmaputra and Jamuna floodplain

The experiment was conducted in the farmers’ field at the Farming System Research and Development site (FSRD), Atia, Delduar, Tangail during the Rabi season of 2018-19 and 2019-20 to evaluate the performance of BARI released gladiolus varieties and popularize these varieties among the farmers of Tangail region. BARI developed three varieties of gladiolus, namely BARI Gladiolus-3, BARI Gladiolus-4, and BARI Gladiolus-5. Among the three varieties, BARI Gladiolus-4 performed the best in terms of the spike (191009 piece ha-1) and corm (254322 piece ha-1) production from the average of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Though BARI Gladiolus-4 performed the best in terms of yield, the maximum economic return was obtained from BARI Galdiolus-5 due to a higher spike in demand and market price compared to the other two varieties. The highest gross return (Tk.2406215 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 1402546 ha-1), as well as BCR (2.40), were also recorded in BARI Gladiolus-5 followed by BARI Gladiolus-4. The lowest gross return (Tk. 1837608 ha-1), gross margin (Tk. 833939 ha-1) as well as BCR (1.83), were obtained from BARI Gladiolus-3. The farmers under the AEZ-8 areas can become economically benefitted by the production of BARI Gladiolus-5 and BARI Gladiolus-4. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2023, 48(1): 10-18

Effect of NPK Fertilizer on Stigma and Corm Production in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Effect of NPK Fertilizer on Stigma and Corm Production in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Beneficial microorganisms: a sustainable horticultural solution to improve the quality of saffron in hydroponics

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice in the world. Its organoleptic properties are mainly dictated by the apocarotenoids crocins (dyeing capacity), picrocrocin (pleasant taste), and safranal (scent). Cultivation of saffron in controlled conditions with beneficial microorganisms may increase its profitability. In this study saffron was grown in hydroponics under a greenhouse with the PGPR Bacillus megaterium CB97032 and Paenibacillus durus CB1806 (Pgpr treatment), and the AMF Rhizophagus intraradices (Myc treatment), alone or mixed (Mix treatment). The influence exerted during all crop phases on flowering trend, flower and spice yield, secondary metabolites, ecophysiological traits, and corm production was investigated, with the hypothesis that microbial synergy would have more positively affected these parameters. All the bioinoculants did not positively influence flower and spice yield, but enhanced the content of safranal (up to +96% in all the treated plants). When mixed, the PGPR and AMF improved the total phenolic content (+19%) of the saffron spice. Even if no differences emerged from the ecophysiological analysis, the corm yield was improved for the inoculated plants. The single-type bioinoculants allowed to obtain a higher number of replacement corms (up to +13% for the Myc plants) without reducing their weight, but lowering their size. When mixed, the size of the corms was restored. Together, the PGPR and AMF also increased the corm weight (+24%) of the largest corm fraction (> 1.5 cm). Thus, the bioinoculants may have stimulated the secondary metabolism of the plants by improving quality traits, rather than having acted as biofertilizers by increasing yield, at least during flowering. Overall, AMF and PGPR were proved to be a sustainable horticultural solution in hydroponics to improve the quality of saffron, especially when applied in mixed formulations.

Effect of Micronutrients on Growth and Flowering of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) under Subtropics of Jammu

An open field experiment was conducted during 2019-20 at the Experimental Farm, Division of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, to evaluate the effect of micronutrients on growth, flowering and yield of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. ‘Nova Lux’. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and nineteen treatments. The different micro-nutrient like Fe, Zn and Mn was taken in different concentrations along with control. The results revealed that maximum plant height (97.74 cm), number of leaves per plant (9.04), leaf length (74.36 cm) and leaf area index (4.14) was recorded with the application of ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 %. Further, among the flowering traits, minimum duration for days taken for 1st floret opening, the maximum spike length (81.86 cm), rachis length (56.76 cm), number of florets per spike 917.69) and weight of the spike (74.78 g) was recorded with the application of ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 %. Thus, foliar application of micronutrients i,e. ZnSO4 at 0.2 % and FeSO4 at 0.2 % proved to be most effective in increasing the growth, flowering and corm production in gladiolus.

Biostimulant enhances growth and corm production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in non-traditional areas of North western Himalayas.

The usage of seaweed extracts in cropping systems is gaining attention nowadays due to their distinct bioactive properties. This study aims to assess how saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm production was affected by seaweed extract through different application modes. The study was conducted at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, HP, India, during the autumn-winter agricultural cycle. Five treatments using a combination of Kappaphycus and Sargassum seaweed extracts were replicated five times in a randomized block design. Treatments that were examined include T1: Control, T2: Corm dipping @ 5% seaweed extract, T3: Foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract, T4: Drenching @ 5% seaweed extract, and T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract. Seaweed extract, when applied to saffron plants (T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters along with the higher dry weight of stem, leaves, corms, and total roots per corm. Corm production, viz., the number of daughter corms and corm weight per m2 was significantly affected by seaweed extract application, with the maximum value recorded with treatment T5. Biochemical parameters chlorophyll, carotenoids, and photosynthetic rate were higher in T5, while nutrient concentration was lowest in this treatment. Seaweed extracts improved corm production, making it a feasible alternative to limiting the application of conventional fertilizers, attenuating the effects on the environment, and enhancing corm number and weight.

Impact of Biofertilizer EM1 Combined with NPK on Growth, Flowering, Corm Production, Chemical Composition and Reduction of Mineral Fertilization of Gladiolus Hybrida cv. Rose Supreme

Impact of Biofertilizer EM1 Combined with NPK on Growth, Flowering, Corm Production, Chemical Composition and Reduction of Mineral Fertilization of Gladiolus Hybrida cv. Rose Supreme

Off-field sucker production of post-harvest banana corms under different hormonal and nutritional regime

Banana is the most important fruit crop of the world. The production of banana propagules for different scales of its cultivation and for the farmers of different resource capacity is an important researchable issue. An improved macro-propagation technique for production of suckers from isolated corms under controlled laboratory condition may be a cheap and easy adoptable alternative to the micro-propagation of banana. An experiment on banana (Musa spp.) post-harvest corm was conducted at the Department of Plant Physiology, BCKV Mohanpur, to study the induction of sucker through different hormonal and nutritional intervention, which was laid out in Completely Randomized Design and replicated three times. Five treatments viz., T1 (Control treatment with water spray), T2 (Thio-urea 0.15%), T3 (nutrient mixture of urea @450 mg l-1 + Thio-urea @70 mg l-1 + CalciumNitrate @ 700 mg l-1+ Calcium monophosphate @150 mg l-1 + Magnesium chloride @80 mg l-1+ Boric acid @5 0mg l-1), T4 (Thiourea @0.15% + BAP@ 4ppm), T5 (nutrient mixture of T3 + BAP @4ppm). The substrate used for planting the corms were a mixture of sawdust + Trichoderma @ 15g kg-1 of sawdust + vermicompost @ 15g kg-1 of sawdust. Observations recorded were weight of the corm, days to appearance of the first primary suckers, number of primary suckers, number of secondary suckers, number of tertiary suckers and total number of suckers. T3 observed to be the best treatment in respect to all the

Effect of Phosphorus and Planting Distance on Corm Production of Saffron (Crocus sativus)

The influence of phosphorus and planting distance on corm production of Crocus sativus was studied at the Ornamental Horticulture Farm of Department of Horticulture, Kabul University during 2019-2020. Four different phosphorus (P) doses i.e. 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 were applied to five different densities viz. 242, 107, 54, 30 and 20 plants m-2. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement. P effect was largely non-significant, whereas planting densities had considerable effects. The increase in corm number m-2 with increase in plant density means that more corms were planted per unit area. Hence more production in terms of corm number was obtained from the densely planted areas. However, as we know crocus is a perennial crop and the corms are left in soil to grow for several years. Maximum days to sprouting (29.8), number of cormels m-2 (441.7), number of corm m-2 (371.1) were produced by 242 plants m-2, while minimum in these were recorded at 20 plants m-2 density. Number of cormels (2.5), cormel weight (1.6 g), number of corms (2.0), corm weight (11.1 g), corm volume (10.7 ml) and corm diameter (3.1 cm) were produced by plants at 20 m-2 densities, while minimum values for the above parameters were noted in 242 plants m-2. The interaction of phosphorus doses and planting distance was significant for some parameters. A comparison of means values for plant densities revealed that maximum corm volume (10.7 ml) was produced by plants at the lowest density (20 plants m-2), while it was minimum (8.8 ml) at the highest density (242 plants m-2).

Influence of Corm Weight and Planting Distance on Production of Saffron in Agro-climatic Condition of Kabul

The effect of phosphorus and plant density on floral yield and corm production of Crocus sativus was studied at horticulture department, faculty of agricultural Kabul University during 2019-2020. Four different phosphorus (P) doses i.e. 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1 were applied to five different densities viz. 242, 107, 54, 30 and 20 plants m-2. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements. P effect was largely non-significant, whereas planting densities had considerable effects. Maximum days to sprouting (29.8), and in the second year maximum saffron yield ha-1 (10.4 kg) were produced by 242 plants m-2, while minimum in these were recorded at 20 plants m-2 density. Maximum stigma weight (5.33 mg), Maximum flowers size (3.8 cm) was produced by 30 plants m-2 density at 20 kg ha-1 P, and maximum flowers per plant (1.5) were produced by 20 plants /m-2 densities at 20 kg ha-1 P. Minimum flowers per plant (1.0) were produced by corms at 107 plants m-2 density supplied with 60 kg ha-1 P, and minimum flower size (2.8 cm) was observed in plants grown at 54 m-2 density fed with 40 kg ha-1 P.

In Vitro Floral Emergence and Improved Formation of Saffron Daughter Corms

In vitro cormogenesis is a potential tool for improving saffron production under controlled conditions. In this study, the effects of explant type, culture type, and medium supplements on saffron daughter corm formation in vitro were assessed. Saffron flowers emerged 30 days after culture, and the sizes of in-vitro- and ex-vitro-produced flowers and stigmas were similar. In vitro daughter corm formation and the saffron life cycle was completed after 10 and 14 weeks of culture, respectively. Using in vitro intact corms was more effective for corm production than using apical buds. Compared with apical bud explants, mother corm explants produced more corms with a higher fresh weight and diameter. Compared with solid culture, liquid cultures using bioreactors provided corms with a higher fresh weight and diameter, regardless of explant type. An ebb and flow system provided the highest cormlet fresh weight and diameter but the fewest cormlets, whereas an immersion system provided more cormlets with a smaller size. Saffron apical buds cultured with salicylic acid at 75 mg L−1 or glutamine at 600 mg L−1 exhibited the highest cormlet diameter and fresh weight. These findings will improve the process of in vitro cormogenesis and the production of saffron under controlled conditions.

Effects of Nutrient Solution Electrical Conductivity on the Leaf Gas Exchange, Biochemical Stress Markers, Growth, Stigma Yield, and Daughter Corm Yield of Saffron in a Plant Factory

Indoor saffron farming systems under controlled conditions are required to meet the high demand for this valuable crop. The aim of the present study was to determine the flowering, growth, and yield responses of saffron grown using nutrient solutions with different electrical conductivity (EC) levels (0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 dS m−1). Sprouted saffron corms were cultured for 24 weeks under a volcanic rock-based aerated continuous immersion system. Vegetative growth and leaf gas exchange, but not flowering, were affected significantly by EC levels. The optimal EC in a balanced nutrient solution was 0.7 dS m−1, at which level the highest plant height, leaf area, biomass, photosynthetic rate, number of daughter corms, and percentage of corms ≥ 25 mm were recorded. An EC level of 2.1 dS m−1 decreased the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of saffron but increased biochemical stress marker levels and elevated various antioxidant defense enzyme levels significantly in saffron leaves, possibly reflecting a defense response to the cellular damage provoked by the higher EC level. In terms of nutrient solution EC, 0.7 dS m−1 was optimal in saffron, whereas 2.1 dS m−1 caused oxidative stress that led to reduced growth and daughter corm production.

A Comparative Study on Growth, Flowering and Corm Production by Growth Regulators & Cut Corms of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)

The present investigation was carried out during cool season at Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Science Prayagraj (U.P.), India. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications of 9 treatments. Treatments consisted of Full corm, ½, ⅓ corms (cut corms) and growth regulators GA3 @150ppm (full corm), 200ppm (½ corm, 250ppm (⅓ corm), 300ppm (full corm), 350ppm (½, corm), 400ppm (⅓ corm). Among the different treatments, T3 (GA3@ 150ppm full corm) gave the best performance in terms of good growth, flowering and corm production which includes Plant Height, Number of leaves, Days to spike emergence, Days to opening of the first floret, First florets durability (days), Rachis length(cm), Number of florets/ spike, Number of spike/plant, Spike yield/ha, Number of cormlets/planted corm, Corm yield/ha, No.of corms/plant, Weight of Corms/plot.

Farklı yetiştiricilik uygulamalarının tarla ve sera koşullarında yetiştiriciliği yapılan safran (Crocus sativus L.) korm verimi ve özellikleri üzerine olan etkileri

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of different cultivation practices on yield and characteristics of saffron corm grown in field and greenhouse conditions.Methods and Results: Two different saffron corm sizes, with an average weight of 12 g and 6 g, were used as production material. The cultivation of saffron corms was carried out in areas where 4 different treatments were applied such as silt (fine stream sand), cockpeat, peat + perlite and cockpeat + perlite. Field studies were set up according to the randomized blocks split-plot design experimental design, and greenhouse studies were set up according to the randomized plots design with 3 replications. The highest corm yield, corm increase rate per unit and the harvested corm weight were obtained in field conditions where silt applications were made.Conclusions: In field and greenhouse conditions, silt application has been determined as the most suitable cultivation treatment for the production of corm as seed material in a short time, as well as the corm properties of saffron.Significance and Impact of the Study: It has been demonstrated that the field conditions are more effective than the greenhouse conditions and the silt treatment is more effective than other applications used for saffron corm production.