Corm size determination and genetic variability studies in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31783/elsr.2022.82186191Keywords:
big corm index, genetic divergence, genetic variability, multiplication index, phenotypic variabilityAbstract
The objective of the current study was laid in augmented block design at ARSSSS Pampore, to examine the optimal corm size, and genetic divergence and to observe the phenotypic and genotypic variability (PCV, GCV) for corm attributes. The genetic divergence among selected lines was thoroughly investigated for the identification of elite divergent traits showing economic gains along with their contribution towards yield. Significant differences were observed among populations for all traits, including the multiplication index (MI) (3.0-5.0) with a mean of 3.8, the number of days to 50% sprouting (22-134) with a mean of 128 days, and the Big Corm Index (BCI) (6-15) with a mean of 10.42g, indicating the presence of a high level of variability and therefore imply considerable scope for saffron improvement via proper corm selection. Bigger corm size (8-12cm) indicates earlier and more persistent flowering, as well as big flower size, implying a direct effect on saffron yield, however, there was no effect on saffron quality. It was also observed that phenotypic variance estimation was greater than corresponding estimates of genotypic variance, indicating an environmental influence on trait expression. Genetic variability studies are critical for understanding the degree of variability and the potential for its future use in subsequent breeding programs.
References
[1] R. V. Molina, M. Valero, Y. Navarro, A. Garcıa-Luis and J. L. Guardiola (2004). The effect of time of corm lifting and duration of incubation at inductive temperature on flowering in the saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) Sci. Hortic., 103: 79-91.
[2] J. A. De Juan, H. L. Córcoles, R. M. Muñoz and M. R. Picornell (2009). Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping systems. Ind. Crops Prod., 30: 212–219
[3] H. Turhan, F. Kahriman, C. O. Egesel and M. K. Gul (2007). The effects of different growing media on flowering and corm formation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Afr. J. Biotech., 6: 2328-2332.
[4] B. Renau-Morata, S. G. Nebauer, M. Sánchez and R. V. Molina (2012). Effect of corm size, water stress and cultivation conditions on photosynthesis and biomass partitioning during the vegetative growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Ind. Crops Prod., 39: 40-46.
[5] A. Mollafilabi (2004). Experimental findings of production and echo physiological aspects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Acta Hort., 650:195-200.
[6] R. Amirnia, M. Bayat and A. Gholamian (2013). Influence of corm provenance and sowing dates on
stigma yield and yield components in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Turkish J. Field Crops, 18: 198-204.
[7] L. Siracusa, F. Gresta, G. Avola, G. M. Lombardo and G. Ruberto (2010). Influence of corm provenance and environmental condition on yield and apocarotenoid profiles in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). J. Food Comp. Anal., 23: 394-400.
[8] R. Molina, M. Valero, Y. Navarro, J. Guardiola and A. Garcia-Luis (2005). Temperature effects on flower formation in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Sci. Hortic., 103: 361-379.
[9] F. Gresta, G. Avola, G. M. Lombardo, L. Siracusa and G. Ruberto (2009). Analysis of flowering, stigma yield and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as affected by environmental conditions. Sci. Hortic., 119: 320-324.
[10] L. Maggi, M. Carmona, S. D. Kelly, N. Marigheto and G. L. Alonso (2011). Geographical origin and differentiation of saffron spice (Crocus sativus L. stigmas)–preliminary investigation using chemical and multi-element (H, C, N) stable isotope analysis. Food Chem., 128: 543-548.
[11] S. P. Singh, H. K. Yadav, S. Shukla and A. Chatterjee (2003). Studies on different selection parameters in opium poppy (P. somniferum L.). J. Med. Arom. Plant Sci., 25: 8-12.
[12] O. Abdulhabip, E. Kaan and D. Tuncay (2017). Determination of optimum corm size for saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and corm yield under the Harran plain conditions. ARPN J. Agric. Biol. Sci., 12: 236-240.
[13] S. M. Yikbarek, P. R. Verma, and R. A. A. Morrall (1987). Anastomosis groups, Pathogenicity and Specificity of Rhizoctonia solani isolates from seedling and adult rapeseed/canola plants and soils in Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Pathol., 9: 6-13.
[14]. R. K. Singh and B. D. Chaudhary (1977). Biometrical methods in quantitative genetic analysis. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana, New Delhi, 54-57.
[15] H. A. Al-Jibouri, P. A. Miller and H. F. Robinson (1958). Genetic and environmental variances and covariances in an upland cotton cross of interspecific origin. Agron. J., 50: 633-636.
[16] F. A. Sheikh, M. I. Makhdoomi, G. Ali, F. A. Nehvi, A. A. Lone, Gul Zaffar and A. M. Iqbal (2014). Genetic variability in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) clones. Med. Plants., 6: 185-188.
[17] S. K. A. Latto and A. K. Dhar (1999). Studies on Saffron in Kashmir, Variation Pattern in Floral Characters in Saffron. Proceedings of National Symposium on Saffron. November 25-26, pp38.
[18] G. H. Zargar (1999). Status of saffron cultivation in Kashmir and stratigies for improving productivity through crop improvement. Proceedings of National Symposium on Saffron. November 25-26, RRL Jammu. pp26.
[19] R. N. Gohill (1999). Need for analysis and generating genetic variability in saffron. Proceedings of National Symposium on Saffron. November 25-26, RRL Jammu. pp42.
[20] G. H. Zargar (2002). Genetic variation in saffron and importance of quality seed corms. National Seminar Cum Workshop Srinagar. August, 2002.
[21]. M. I. Makhdoomi, F. A. Nehvi and S. A. Wani (2010). Genetic Divergence in Saffron. Proceedings of International Seminar on Saffron. Acta Hortic., 850: 79-84.
[22] F. Gresta, G. M. Lombardo, L. Siracusa and G. Roberto (2008). Effect of mother corm dimension and sowing time on stigma yield, daughter corms and qualitative aspects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in a Mediterranean environment. J. Sci. Food Agric., 88: 1144-1150.
[23] Mohammad Irfan, N. Sabeena, M. A. Bhat, R. Uzma, Z. A. Dar, A. Gowhar and M. H. Khan et al., (2020). Genetic divergence of saffron germplasm for morphological and corm attributes. Electron. J. Plant Breed., 11: 1200-1204.
[24] H. W. Johnson, H. F. Robinson and R. E. Comstock (1955). Estimation of Genetic and Environmental Variability in Soybeans. Agron. J., 47: 314-318.
[25] F. A. Nehvi (2003). Problems and Prospects of Saffron improvement in India. In: Proceedings of the Second International Seminar on Industrial use of Biotechnology 27th September to 1st October, pp14.
[26] F. A. Nehvi (2004). Success stories of Saffron Research under temperate conditions of Kashmir. National Agriculture Technology Project (NATP) report, SKUAST-K, India, pp28.
[27] F. A. Nehvi, S. A. Wani, S. A. Dar, M. I. Makhdoomi, B. A. Allie and Z. A. Mir (2006). New Emerging Trends on Production Technology of Saffron. In II International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology 739, 375-381.
[28] M. Bayat, R. Amirnia and M. Rahimi (2017). Phenotypic and genotypic relationship between traits in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as revealed by path analysis. J. Appl. Res. Med. Aromat. Plants., 5: 33-40.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Author (s)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright © The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited, and the work is not modified or adapted.
