Study on Flower Yield in Different Corm Sizes of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) Under Local Farming Conditions of Kashmir

The aim of present study was to evaluate different corm sizes of Crocus sativus L. for their flower and saffron yield under local farming conditions of Kashmir. The corms were divided into seven size grades of I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII with an average weight of 3.23 g, 7.09 g, 12.65 g, 18.66 g, 21.77 g, 27.49 g and 32.01 g respectively. Corms of size grades I, II and III failed to produce flowers during first year of planting while in grades IV, V, VI and VII flower yield gradually increased with increasing corm weight. Maximum flower yield was observed in grade VII. Besides total flower yield, number of flowers produced per corm was also maximum in this grade being often 4 flowers per corm. Saffron yield per flower was also higher in this grade compared to other grades. All other flowering corm sizes produced a maximum of 2 flowers per corm and frequency of corms producing 2 flowers increasing with their weight. Thus, corms weighing more than 30 g(VII) are ideal for increased flower and saffron yield during first year of planting under prevalent farming conditions in Kashmir.