Clonal selection of saffron (Crocus sativus L.): the first optimistic experimental results

摘要: We report here the results of a unique, large-scale research project that focused on problem clonal selection saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Samples populations from five most ancient cultivation regions in Iran were obtained for study, with ≥20,000 corms comprising sampled each region. The divided onto weight groups (for example, 3.0–3.9, 4.0–4.9 g, up to largest) and then planted rows separately field one corm per hole (pit). This strict separation planting procedure was maintained four growing seasons, enabling comparison pits grown plants study differences between clones. A many hundreds thousands clones, same weight, resulted identification “superior” clones terms exceptionally large numbers flowers (≥10 g) corms. Based number corms, which are two economically important attributes saffron, classified as extraordinary, superior, ordinary, inferior declining first classifications had highest largest have been chosen use breeding program aimed at developing new high-yielding cultivars saffron. Those would also be very suitable facilitating mechanization agriculture lifting, sorting weeding, softening ground harvesting flowers.