Production Practices and Quality Assessment of Food Crops. Vol. 1

236 S. A. Ordoudi and M. Z. Tsimidou
ment of bud explants. Ethylene and ethaphon (an ethylene releasing agent) pre-treatment
inhibited leaf development but on the other hand induced corm production
as well as dormancy. Sprouting and corm production was also enhanced after microsurgery
of the apical bud combined with ethylene pre-treatment.
The information of the morphological and chemical characteristics of corms
and floral parts is not systematic (Craig et al., 1985; Sugimoto et al., 1986;
Arifkhodzaev et al., 1986; Chrungoo and Farooq, 1985 and 1988). The presence
of saponins, triterpene acids, sugars, mucilage, amino acids, sterols fatty acids,
ursulic,and oleanolic acids were verified by Loukis et al. (1983). Gómez et al.
(1987a) gave data on the mean weight of bulbs originated from different areas within
the province of Albacete. The values ranged from 5–15 g.
4.2. Cultivation practices
Crocus sativus L. is cultivated in climatically diverse regions varying in altitude,
range of temperature and humidity. It thrives best in warm subtropical climate and
soils varying from sandy to well-drained free of clay soils (Sampathu et al., 1984).
The land is prepared just before planting by ploughing, harrowing, and weed
removal.
Effective production of cormlets (or daughter corms) is the outcome of effective
shallow planting and dominance of the apical bud. Reproduction occurs in
the autumn-winter period. Each mother corm results in 1–2 principal buds at its apex
and several other cormlets from lateral buds. In certain places the corms remain
in the earth throughout the year and for, as many consecutive years the land in
use is considered suitable for the cultivation. Regular inspection of the planted corms
is necessary for replanting those corms found out of the ground and for avoiding
diseases that cause loss of great amounts of corms. Weeds are removed either by
hand or by using herbicides.
Greece. Saffron crocus is exclusively cultivated in Kozani prefecture (West
Macedonia) in Northern Greece. Most of the producers are coming from the village
Krokos (Figure 12). The growers (~1500) from about 20 little villages, cultivate
their own land or land they hire for several years and co-operate in trade. In this
way, since 1971, Saffron Growers’ Co-operative of Kozani managed to improve
standardisation of the final product and achieved high prices in exports. The profits
return to the producers on the basis of the dry saffron weight they presented at
the co-operative within a limited defined period from February to March of
each year. The area of Kozani is characterised by frequent rainfalls (precipitation
>500 mm, annually) whereas temperature rarely falls below zero in winter. However,
early snow in November has destroyed sometimes the production. No systematic
data on soil characteristics is reported though Goliaris (1999) presents some data
from four soil samples (pH ~ 7.40, K 2O ~ 7 mg/100 g) without further details.
The same plantation may be kept profitable for about seven years. For a new plantation
2–3 tons of corms (22–25 mm diameter, 35–40 mm high) are used. A
seven-year plantation usually yields the double amount of corms. Before transplanting
use of fungicides is suggested by the responsible agronomists.