Pulwama, Oct 31: Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), have been developing technology for indoor saffron cultivation under controlled conditions for the past few years.
Bashir Ahmad Allie, head of SKUAST-K’s Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices, said that the project on indoor cultivation of saffron is still under evaluation.
Allie reported that they have successfully achieved saffron flowering and are working on corm production under controlled conditions.
“We aim to produce quality saffron flowers and ensure proper corm production in these controlled conditions, and trials are currently underway,” he said.
He added that once this technology is validated, it will be made available to farmers interested in growing saffron.
This experiment is significant as it could enable saffron cultivation in non-traditional areas.
Allie also described another method: indoor saffron cultivation under ambient conditions. This method has been adopted by many saffron growers in Kashmir.
“For this approach, farmers should procure saffron corms in June and store them in an aerated, dark room. The corms are then transferred to trays in a compact module without any nutrient medium,” he said. After September 15, lighting should be arranged. “The corms will bloom by October,” he explained, adding that the corms should then be removed from the trays.
“The lateral sprouts of the corms should be removed, leaving only the main sprout intact,” he continued. “The corms should be planted in a small patch of land in an ultra-high-density module for use the following June.”
