Saffron Flower and Stigma Yield Changes in Response to Application of Different Levels of super Absorbent Polymer

Saffron production will be increased in arid regions by providing sufficient water through appropriate agronomic strategies. Therefore, in this investigation the impact of different rates of super absorbent polymer (SAP) including 0,10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kg ha-1 was studied on saffron flowering traits during two growth cycles. Results showed that the influence of experimental factor was significant on almost all studied indices in both years. Number of flower was on average 22% more than control when 30-40 kg ha-1 SAP was used. Flower yield in the first growth cycle was higher in 40 kg ha-1 (24.9 g.m-2) and in the second one in 30 kg ha-1 (89.4 g.m-2) SAP application, while these values in control treatment were 19.7 and 71.2 g.m-2 for the first and second seasons, respectively. Altogether in two years application of 40 kg ha-1 SAP produced the highest fresh stigma + style yield (4.54 g.m-2) compared with the control (3.47 g.m-2). SAP application at the rates of more than 30 kg ha-1 increased dry stigma yield in average of two years (0.45, 0.50, 0.49 and 0.44 g.m-2 for 0, 30, 40 and 50 kg.ha-1 treatments, respectively). In addition, SAP usage at the rate of 40 kg ha-1 produced the highest number (12.6) and weight (86 g per plant) of replacement corms at the end of second growth season. In total, it seems that SAP consumption can be considered as a suitable option for improvement of saffron flowering in areas affected by drought stress.