Irrigation levels and dense planting affect flower yield and phosphorus concentration of saffron corms under semi-arid region of Mashhad, Northeast Iran

Relationship between nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as affected by mother corm size and fertilization

“…This increment duo to life cycle of saffron as a perennial plant, in other words, saffron growth continues to develop from year to year (Kumar et al, 2009;Koocheki et al, 2014b). In the second year, saffron produce more network of roots able to increase the absorption of mineral nutrient, compared to the first year.…”

“…Corms, which is underground organs, have meristematic tissues that generate new corms as "replacement or daughter corms" (Koocheki et al, 2014b). Mother corms deteriorate gradually with increasing daughter corms growth.…”

“…On the other hand, it has been proven that daughter corms growth depends on mother corms until they become independent, consequently mother corm size have significant impact on daughter corms formation (Renau-Morata et al, 2012;Koocheki et al, 2014b). In addition to mother corm size, balanced nutrient availability, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), is one of the most important factors affecting daughter corms growth directly during growing season (Omidi et al, 2009;Koocheki et al, 2014b).…”

“…On the other hand, it has been proven that daughter corms growth depends on mother corms until they become independent, consequently mother corm size have significant impact on daughter corms formation (Renau-Morata et al, 2012;Koocheki et al, 2014b). In addition to mother corm size, balanced nutrient availability, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), is one of the most important factors affecting daughter corms growth directly during growing season (Omidi et al, 2009;Koocheki et al, 2014b). (N) and (P), which play an important role in increasing corm and flower yields in saffron (Chaji et al, 2013), are known as mobile elements (Bertheloot et al, 2008;Dordas, 2009) and able to transfer from above ground vegetative parts to underground organs, especially at the end of growing season (Ourry et al, 1988;Koocheki et al, 2014b).…”

“…In addition to mother corm size, balanced nutrient availability, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), is one of the most important factors affecting daughter corms growth directly during growing season (Omidi et al, 2009;Koocheki et al, 2014b). (N) and (P), which play an important role in increasing corm and flower yields in saffron (Chaji et al, 2013), are known as mobile elements (Bertheloot et al, 2008;Dordas, 2009) and able to transfer from above ground vegetative parts to underground organs, especially at the end of growing season (Ourry et al, 1988;Koocheki et al, 2014b). Therefore, the amount of absorbed (N) and (P) in different parts of saffron affected by organic fertilizers and mother corm size can be specially considered.…”