The saffron plant´s generative corm generation and stigma yield are influenced by planting methods and corm depths

Abstract

Planting methods and corm depth may damage the underground corms of saffron during the dormant period in heavy rainfall areas. Consideration of proper planting methods and corm depth will lead to a higher yield of saffron. This research was conducted for two successive seasons (2020 - 2021 and 2021 - 2022) to study the influence of planting method and corm depth on the dry stigma and generative corm yield of saffron. The experiment was a factorial combination of two planting methods (ridge and flat) and three corm depths (10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm), laid out as a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results revealed that dry sigma yield (DSY) and generative corm yield (GCY) were significantly influenced by the main and interaction effects of planting method and corm depth. In flat cultivation, both DSY and GCY were considerably higher than the ridge method in both years. In the case of corm depth, 15 cm and 20 cm produced the highest DSY. The interaction effects showed that the flat method in 15cm corm depth produced more DSY and GCY. Moreover, a strong positive correlation was obtained among the days to flowering (DTF) and flowering interval days (FID) first year, the number of flowers (NF) and DSY in both years and among the DSY and the number of generative corms (> 8 g). Hence, the flat method and 15 cm corm depth are recommended for optimum yield in the study area.