A Preliminary Investigation on Possible Role of Allelopathy in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

A preliminary experiment was conducted on possible role of allelopathy in saffron. Seven treatments composing of soil and corm extracts of saffron were applied on seed germination of wheat (cv. Omid). The statistical method used for data analysis was carried out on the basis of Completely Randomized Design. The results showed that effect of substances present in saffron corms was evident on percent and rate of germination, dry weight of radicle and plumule of wheat seeds. Characters under investigation were adversely affected by extracts of old (E) and new (F) corms of saffron farms. There was a considerable loss compared to treatments: A, B, C, D, and G. It appeared that substances extracted from saffron corms showed autotoxicity effects reducing saffron yield after several years. More research is yet required to determine these substances and find possible elimination ways from saffron farms with biological treatments instead of displacing farms.

Keywords:

autotoxicity , wheat germination