The effects of different growing media on flowering and corm formation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of different growing media on saffron growth and corm formation in greenhouse conditions. In the experiment four different treatments were used.
These were (1) soil+sand (control), (2) soil+sand+manure, (3) soil+sand+manure applied as a double layer above and bottom of corm bed, and (4) soil+sand+manure+ nitfojips-K. The results revealed that
effects of the growing media on most of the characters were significant. Cow manure mixtures especially with double layers had a positive effect on the flower and stigma weight. Average flower weight per plant change between 0.157 - 0.240 g. The corm size did not change significantly in
treatments 1, 2 and 3. However, in treatment 4, both corm weight and corm size were significantly lower than they were in the other treatments. The results suggested that the growing medium was one of the important factors for saffron flower and corm formation.