Georges Nakhla Wahbi
General Commission for Scientific Agriculture Research-
Josseia al-Kharab Center
Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University,
2010

Abstract

The aim of this study is to know phenological stages and evaluate potential flowering, and quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in response to planting distance and corm size under local environmental conditions.
The results proved that planting spaces had significant effect on quantitative production of saffron. High planting density increased the production of flowers and stigmas yield during the two productive flowering years (2007 and 2008) and the total yield. Results of correlation analysis showed clear relationships between quantitative and qualitative traits studied.
The spectrophotometric analysis of qualitative characteristics (Crocine, Picrocrocin and Safranal), according to ISO: international organization of standardization, showed a positive effect of planting spaces on saffron quality
The results also showed that corm size had significant effect on vegetative growing and quantitative production of saffron. Large corm size increased the production of daughter corms, as well as that of flowers and stigmas yield during the two productive flowering years (2007 and 2008) and the total flowering. The analysis of qualitative characteristics showed a positive effect of corm size on saffron quality.