Youssef Abou Obeid1, Layla Naim2, Nidal Shaban3, Zehiro Grigor1 and Fadi Sami Karam4
1 Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
2 Land Green and Technology Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan
3 Balkan Agricultural Ltd., 4400 Pazardzik, 69 Bolnichna str., Bulgaria
4 Faculty of Agriculture, Lebanese University, Main Road to Mkales Roundabout, Dekwaneh, Metn, Lebanon
Obeid, Yo. A., Naim, L., Shaban, N., Grigor, Z. & Karam, F. S. (2026). Optimizing saffron cultivation in Lebanon: Effects of crop density and fertilization on yield and corm growth. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(2), 335–343
Saffron production in Lebanon is gaining attention as a profitable alternative crop, particularly in the central Bekaa Valley. To enhance yield, a customized fertilization regimen is essential. This study evaluated four levels of KNO₃ (0, 5, 10, and 15 units), with or without vegetative organic matter (VOM) under two cultivation densities: 20 cm x 20 cm (30 corms/m²) and 14.3 cm x 14.3 cm (56 corms/m²). Results showed that flower production in the second year was primarily influenced by plant density, while in the third year, fertilization had a more significant impact. Treatment T’7 (10NK) under higher crop density produced the highest flower numbers in both years. Leaf length increased over the two years, with the longest leaves observed in lower crop density (T4: 15NK + VOM) and higher crop density (T’4: 15NK + VOM). Corm multiplication and individual corm weight were higher in lower-density cultivation, with T5 (0NK) and T8 (15NK) showing the highest corm multiplication, and T2 (5NK + VOM) and T3 (10NK + VOM) producing the heaviest corms. The highest saffron yield in both years was recorded in T’7, followed by T’4. The strong correlations between corm number, flower production, and saffron yield underscore the need to optimize corm density and fertilization practices. However, the inverse relationship with individual corm weight suggests that further research is required to refine strategies for maximizing both corm and flower productivity.