Articles
Effect of planting density on productivity of saffron corms
Article number
1184_17
Pages
119 – 124
Language
English
Abstract
Saffron is a perennial crop.
The vegetative multiplication by corms is the only mode of propagation.
The number and the size of corms decide on the flowering ability and stigmas yield.
However, several factors affect these parameters including age of saffron cultivation and plant density.
The aim is to conclude on the best to optimize harvest period related to quality of corms as a propagated materials.
To bring out the optimum of production and time of corms, a multi-year study of corms multiplication rate, planted at different densities: 100, 50 and 35 corms m-2, has been compared to traditional planting during 3 seasons in Taliouine region.
In the third year of the saffron culture, the results showed that planting densities: 100, 50 and 35 corms m-2 generated an evolution of the number of multiplied corms, of 220, 320 and 443%, respectively.
The number of corms has increased three to four times for the case of low densities less than 50 corms m-2. As to the size, in the case of low densities, we observed that 68 and 75% of corms had a diameter greater than 2 cm; it is a corm’s class that meets the quality standards of corms as propagated materials and ensures satisfactory production of flowers the following year.
In the case of traditional planting and 100 corms m-2 densities, respectively 67 and 63% of corms had a diameter less than 2 cm.
High densities allow producing more corms per unit area but as the age of the saffron cultivation increases, they generate a smaller caliber because of the competition.
The choice of saffron corms planting density is important to ensure good growth and performance of this culture during a specified period operating plot.
The vegetative multiplication by corms is the only mode of propagation.
The number and the size of corms decide on the flowering ability and stigmas yield.
However, several factors affect these parameters including age of saffron cultivation and plant density.
The aim is to conclude on the best to optimize harvest period related to quality of corms as a propagated materials.
To bring out the optimum of production and time of corms, a multi-year study of corms multiplication rate, planted at different densities: 100, 50 and 35 corms m-2, has been compared to traditional planting during 3 seasons in Taliouine region.
In the third year of the saffron culture, the results showed that planting densities: 100, 50 and 35 corms m-2 generated an evolution of the number of multiplied corms, of 220, 320 and 443%, respectively.
The number of corms has increased three to four times for the case of low densities less than 50 corms m-2. As to the size, in the case of low densities, we observed that 68 and 75% of corms had a diameter greater than 2 cm; it is a corm’s class that meets the quality standards of corms as propagated materials and ensures satisfactory production of flowers the following year.
In the case of traditional planting and 100 corms m-2 densities, respectively 67 and 63% of corms had a diameter less than 2 cm.
High densities allow producing more corms per unit area but as the age of the saffron cultivation increases, they generate a smaller caliber because of the competition.
The choice of saffron corms planting density is important to ensure good growth and performance of this culture during a specified period operating plot.
Authors
Y. Karra, M. Boujghagh, M.A. Serghini, M. Lage
Keywords
saffron of Taliouine, corm, multiplication, planting density
Groups involved
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