Abstract

Tests were conducted to determine the effects of cold-storage of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corms on the first and last flowering dates, harvest periods, saffron stigma yield, flower and leaf numbers, plant height, and asexual daughter corm reproduction in the field and glasshouse at the pre-planting stage. Corms stored at 8°C for 7 and 28 days were compared with controlled corms at room temperature storage at the pre-planting stage in the 2008 -2009 growing season. The number of flowers per plant, and fresh and dry stigma yield decreased gradually as the duration of cold-stored corms increased to 28 days at 8°C during field and glasshouse experiments. The length of harvest season in open field or glasshouse conditions was not statistically significantly affected by the cold storage of corms. Results of the daughter corm reproduction showed that planting cold-stored corms at 8°C for 7 or 28 days had more statistically significant negative effects on daughter corm weight and diameter from the controls in both of the experimental areas.

Key words: Crocus sativus L., saffron, cold storage, morphology, extending harvest period, stigma yield, daughter corm reproduction