Low temperature storage of corms extends the flowering season of saffron (Crocus sativusL.)

Effects of Nano Fertilizer Application and Maternal Corm Weight on Flowering at Some Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Ecotypes

“…Previous researches have shown that the correct saffron farm management including proper planting date, optimal use of fertilizer, appropriate planting density, selection of larger corms and timely irrigation saffron farms especially in the final stages of the growing season play the most effective roles in markedly improving yield components and subsequently increasing saffron in the first year and the coming years. Molina, et al, (2005) and Vurdu, et al, (2002) pointed out that mature and bigger corms gave more flowers and daughter corms. Therefore, one of the objectives in production of saffron is to obtain bigger corms (Omidbaigi, 2005).…”

“…These researchers reported that the weight of the mother corm has a significant effect on the vegetative development and the production of daughter corms. The effect of the different saffron corms proveniences on stigmas yield and qualitative traits of saffron has been studied by several researchers such as Molina, et al, (2005) ;Castillo, et al, (2005); Rubio-Moraga, et al, (2009) ;Siracusa et al, (2010) ;Anastasaki, et al, (2010) and Maggi, et al, 2011). These authors pointed out that the environment and climatic conditions, for example: temperature, soil and water content, have severe effect on both quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron.…”

Saffron

“…The corms should be illuminated only during the fl owering period to avoid etiolation, the disproportionate growth of leaves and fl oral tube, which depletes stocks and prevents the corms from producing fl owers. The fl owering period can last about 100 days, while the average duration of fl owering for each batch of corms is 13 days (Molina et al, 2005). The corms are kept in the trays until the end of fl owering, before being transplanted back to the fi eld for multiplication.…”

Challenges of climate change

“…Several environmental parameters affect flower induction in saffron among which temperature seems to play a pivotal role. 38,39 Flower induction requires an incubation of the corms at high temperature (23-27 °C), followed by a period of exposure at moderately low temperature (17 °C) for flower emergence. There are evidences which show the critical importance of light and temperature in biological activities of plants including regulatory effects on dormancy period, vegetative and generative growth particularly flowering habit.…”