Comparative analysis of growing media impact on saffron flowering and corm formation

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of different growing media on saffron growth and
corm formation in greenhouse conditions. In the experiment four different treatments were used. These were (1)
soil+sand (control), (2) soil+sand+manure, (3) soil+sand+manure applied as a double layer above and bottom of
corm bed, and (4) soil+sand+manure+ nitfojips-K. The results revealed that effects of the growing media on most
of the characters were significant. Cow manure mixtures especially with double layers had a positive effect on
the flower and stigma weight. Average flower weight per plant change between 0.157 - 0.240 g. The corm size did
not change significantly in treatments 1, 2 and 3. However, in treatment 4, both corm weight and corm size were
significantly lower than they were in the other treatments. The results suggested that the growing medium was
one of the important factors for saffron flower and corm formation.