Evaluation of humic acid and planting density on flower yield and vegetative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Ahmadi, F.; Aminifard, M.H.; Khayyat, M.; Samadzade, A.R.

doi:10.22092/ijmapr.2017.107051.1827

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ MSc. student, Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

² Department of Horticultural Science and Special Plants Regional Research Center, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

³ Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2017.107051.1827

Abstract

The effects of applications of humic acid and planting density on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were of four levels of humic acid (0, 5, 10 and 15 Kg.ha^-1) and three density planting (50, 75 and 100 corms.m^-2). This experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research farm of Birjand University, Iran, during growing season 2015. Flower fresh weight and fresh and dry weight of stigma were influenced by humic acid treatments. The highest flower fresh weight (0.36g.m^-2) was obtained in plants treated with 5 kg.ha^-1 humic acid while the lowest values were recorded in the control (0.33g.m^-2). However, no significant difference was found in yield and flower number of saffron, length of stigma and style, fresh weight and dry weight of style under different levels of humic acid treatments. Results showed that humic acid improved the leaf growth indices (leaf length, fresh weight, and dry weight of leaf) and photosynthetic pigments (chl b, total chl and spad). The highest leaf length, fresh and dry weight of leaf, chl b, total chl and spad were obtained in plants treated with 10 kg.ha^-1 humic acid while the lowest values were recorded in the control. Application of different levels of planting density had a positive effect on the yield and flower number, length of stigma, length of leaf, fresh and dry weight of leaf in saffron. The highest flower number (22.25per.m^-2) and yield (8.22g.m^-2) were observed in planting density of 100 corms.m^-2. Interactive effects of humic acid and density had a positive effect on the flower yield, length and dry weight of stigma, fresh weight and length of leaf and chl b.

Keywords

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Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research

Evaluation of humic acid and planting density on flower yield and vegetative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

References

References

Volume 33, Issue 2 - Serial Number 82
June 2017
Pages 293-303

Evaluation of humic acid and planting density on flower yield and vegetative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

References

References

Volume 33, Issue 2 - Serial Number 82June 2017Pages 293-303

Volume 33, Issue 2 - Serial Number 82
June 2017
Pages 293-303