Effects of Different Planting Depth and Bulb Sizes on Yield and Yield Components of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is known as one of the earliest cultivated plants. Formerly having importance as spice, dye and medicinal plant and cultivated in Bolu, Tokat, Sanliurfa, Adana, Izmir provinces, saffron plantation areas have decreased gradually and it is cultivated by some farmers in Safranbolu district Turkey only. The foremost barrier is limitation in bulb (corms) production to develop cultivation of this plant. This study was carried out in the experimental field of the University of Ankara, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of planting depth and bulb size on production of the bulbs and different sized saffron bulbs were planted in rows 10 cm apart with inter row spacing of 20 cm of planting depths were 5,10 and 15 cm in 2002 and harvested in 2004. Both planting depth and bulb size affected both flowering and developing of daughter bulbs.