Due to its valuable properties, Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices. Saffron was introduced to Lebanon in 2000 and promoted as alternative crop to Canabis Sativa. There has been little research for saffron on a variety of subjects, in particular on cultural practices. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of corm density on Saffron yield attributes. The study included three corm densities that were organized in randomized complete block design with three replicates; Low(LD)-25 corms m-2, 20 × 20 cm spacing; Moderate (MD)-44 corms m-2, 15 × 15 cm spacing; High (HD)-100 corms m-2, 10 × 10 cm spacing. The study was conducted at the Lebanese agricultural research institute (LARI) in Lebaa station for four consecutive years. Results showed a steadily significant high yield of flowers m-2 at high density compared to low density for four years .In contrast, the number of flowers (NF)/100 corm clusters (CC) was significantly increased at low density in last two years compared to high density. Treatments showed no significant effect of the main compounds of air-dried stigmas (Crocin, Picrocrocin and Safranal). Fresh (FWSS) and dry (DWSS) weight of single stigma was affected by year showing a significant change from year to year. These results revealed that success of long-term cultivation can be achieved by planting saffron corm at moderate and low densities.

Soil is the major factor determining saffron yield. Although saffron tolerates different soil types, some soils with specific characteristics perform better than others. This work was conducted to evaluate the performance of saffron crop on different soil types under homogeneous environmental conditions. Four soil types sampled from different regions were tested: Rendzic Leptosols, Anthropic Regosols, Hypercalcaric Fluvisol and Eutric Cambisols. Soil samples were put in large plastic pots (radius=0.27 m, height=0.44 m) and organized in complete block design with four replicates. Combined analysis for four years revealed significant differences between soil types regarding most yield parameters. Saffron corms performed better on calcareous clayey Rendzic Leptosols soil with respect to plant height(PL), flowers per plot, flowers per corm cluster, total stigmas fresh and dry weights, fresh and dry weight of single stigmas and total number of corms. Corms grown on Hypercalcaric Fluvisol soil produced the largest content of Crocin, Picrocrocin and Safranal. A regression analysis was used to evaluate the performance of soil types on the number of flowers per mother corm through four years of the study. In this regard, a positive significant higher slope was obtained for Rendzic Leptosols (y = 4.23x - 8514.3, R²= 0.69, p.0001). Quantitative yield attributes such number of flowers per corm cluster was significantly correlated with organic matter t (r = .60, p=.016) and calcium (r =.52,p.041) contents. Correlation analysis showed that the soil parameters most attributed to the saffron yield were organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. For soils with limiting factors (Eutric cambisols and anthropic regosols) further studies should focus on improving their performance under saffron crop.

Due to the intensive harvest from natural habitat and increasing competition as a source of food, O. syriacum was introduced into cultivation and soon became one of the promising crops for many farmers in rural areas. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of pine needle mulch(PN) and irrigation frequency(IF) at 5, 10 and 15 days on the yield under open field conditions. The study was conducted at the Lebanese agricultural research institute (LARI) in Lebaa station (33°32.681′ North, 35°27.088′ East, 354 m a.s.l.), south Lebanon, province of Jizzin, under open field condition for two seasons during 2016. Treatments were organized in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results indicated a significant effect of mulch in both spring and fall seasons F (1, 172) = 59.34, p < .0001, η²=.24, F (1, 172) = 77.71, p < .0001, η²=.30 respectively. The two-way anova showed no significant effect of irrigation frequency on the average and total plant fresh weight (PFW) across two seasons F (2, 349) = .80, p= .4522, η²=.0038, F (2, 159) = 1.07, p= .3460, η²=.007 respectively. Very little variance of the plant fresh weight ,(0.2% – spring and 3.1 %- fall) was attributed to the interaction of mulch and irrigation frequency .In a comparison between percent weight contribution(PWC) of a different plant part, leaves formed the highest proportion (48.6%)  compared to the inflorescence and stem. The fresh weight of weeds(g/ m2 ) was significantly less in plots mulched with pine needles compared to the control (F(1,66)=24.43, p<.0001, η²=.75). Applying pine needle mulch enhanced most of the yield parameters. Under calcareous clayey soil O. syriacum could be irrigated at10 or 15 days frequencies without remarkable decrease in the yield.