The effect of salt stress on flower yield and growth parameters of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in greenhouse condition

Crocus sativus L. has been cultivated since ancient times as the source of saffron, a substance renowned for its medicinal and flavoring properties. Iran nearly produces 80% of world’s annual saffron production. On the other hand Iran has many arid and semi arid regions with low to moderate salinity. So it’s important to investigate how saffron response to salinity. To study the effect of salinity stress on flowering stage of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was performed in the greenhouse of NKANRRC (Northern Khorasan Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center) in 2010. The experimental treatments included: salinity at six levels S0=0, S1=20, S2=50, S3=70, S4=100 and S5=120 mM sodium chloride. The results of first year showed that number of days to emergence was min in 50 mM NaCL. Increasing salinity levels decreased plant height, No. of days to flower. Fresh weight of flower increased with increasing salinity levels to 100 mM and the threshold salinity level for stigma fresh weight was 50mM. Results also showed that salinity imposed a significant effect on different growth parameters of saffron at high levels characteristics, but, it had a nutritional effect at 50 mM of NaCl. The best growth parameter and stigma yield was found with 50 mM of NaCl.