Spacing effects on corm and flower production of saffron [Crocus sativus]

ABSTRACT

Saffron is a valuable condiment that may have the potential to invigorate economically the Bekaa Plain, especially the Baalbeck - Hermel area, which has suffered after the crack down on illicit crops. However, no research on the optimal cultural practices for saffron has been conducted locally. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of spacing on saffron corm and flower production. Corms were planted by hand at three spacing densities 20 cm x 20 cm, 20 cm x 10 cm, and 10 cm x 10 cm in October of 2000 at the Agricultural Research and Education Center [AREC]. The field experiment was in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Flowers were counted and picked in October and November, and the stigmas collected, dried, and weighed. Corms were dug up in July 2002 and measured. Density of planting had no effect on numbers of corms produced per corm cluster, but it had a significant effect on corm weight, which had a large effect on flower production. By 2002, the 20 cm x 20 cm spacing gave heavier corms, and higher flower numbers and red stigma yield per corm cluster than the 20 cm x 10 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm spacing. Unless corms can be purchased at markedly lower prices, farmers are recommended to maximize flower production per corm by planting at 20 cm x 20 cm spacing