Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping systems

This study was conducted to evaluate yield and yield components of saffron (Crocus sativus L) in response to (i) production system (PS) (irrigated vs. non-irrigated); (ii) corm size (CS) (medium -2.25 to 3 cm diameter vs. small corms <2.25 cm diameter); (iii) planting depth (PD) (10 cm vs. 20 cm); and iv) planting density (PDEN) (51 corms m(-2) vs. 69 corms m(-2)). This fully replicated multifactorial design was started in August 2000, and carried through November 2003, when the fourth saffron harvest took place. The total and average fresh weight of stigmas, and the number of flowers were measured at each harvest. Results indicate that three of the four factors tested (PS, CS and PD) had a significant effect on the quantitative yield during the two most productive flowering years (2001 and 2002) and on the total flowering. Irrigated cultivation, medium size corms and 10 cm planting depth had the greatest effect in increasing the quantitative production of saffron. Yield was also affected by planting density in contrasting ways. Whereas at high PDEN yield increased per unit of surface, at low PDEN, yield increased with respect to the initial number of corms planted. The fresh weight of stigmas per flower yield component, an important aspect that determines the quality of the spice, was enhanced when corms were planted at 20 cm depth and when irrigation was applied to the crop. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.