Represented by the research team of Sarah Ghunaim Chair for non-Traditional Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, SAU was able to create a morphological mutation in the most expensive plant in the word “Crocus Flowers”. Each flower is producing now five stigmas, while the natural average do not exceed three stigmas.
Dr. Mahmoud Sharaf Addin Chair Teacher said that this mutation has repeated in more than one flower during a series of scientific trails on the plant.
It is worth mentioning, Crocus Flowers is considered economically efficient but its limited production of stigmas caused a scarce in producing Saffron. The production of one kilogram of Saffron needs about 10000m² of land and its flowering season is confined only between November and December (in Al Kharj Province). Therefore, such mutation would increase the production of the flower in about 35-65%, and decrease the lands needed for such purpose.
Moreover, Dr. Farhan Jeadi Chair supervisor extended hi thanks and appreciations to the Consultant Shaikh Saad Ghunaim for his financial support.
