Effect of Saffron Petal Water Extract on Wheat Germination, Seedling Growth and Establishment

Large amounts of saffron petals are disposed off every year while using them as an organic source can open a new approach on reusing them. In order to investigate the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of saffron's petals on the emergence of wheat, an experiment was conducted on the basis of a complete randomized design with four replications in 2008 in the Dryland Research Station of North Khorasan. 5% concentration of saffron petals' water extract (50 grams oven dried petals in 1000 ml water) was used to prepare 5 levels of treatment (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). These treatments were used to irrigate wheat seeds (20 ml each day), which were planted in plastic pots and were kept at 25 degrees C in a germinator. Seedling height increased in 25% treatment significantly. Different concentrations had significant effects on seedling weight and the best result was obtained from the 25% treatment. The lowest height and also the lowest weight were observed in the 100% treatment which can be related to the suppressive effect of high concentration of saffron petals extract. On the other hand, because of the better growth rate obtained from the 25% treatment compared with the 0% treatment, it seems that a low concentration of saffron petals water extract promoted wheat seedling growth.