Phenological properties of Crocus spp. in Kastamonu region

In this study, Crocus spp. which grow naturally in Kastamonu region and their phenological, morphological and seed germination properties determined.The study was carried out in Kadı Mountain, Sarımsakçı Village of Daday District and Bostan Region of Ilgaz Mountain in Kastamonu. Two Crocus species were identified during the field observations done during spring and autumn months, known as the flowering seasons of the Crocus spp.. One of them is Crocus ancyrensis (Herbert) Maw with yellow colored flowers observed in Daday District and Kadı Dağı in Spring and the other is C. speciosus subsp. ilgazensis Mathew with purple colored flowers observed in Ilgaz Mountain in Autumn.Phenological observations related to leaf initiation, flowering, seeding phases and morphological measurements such as whole length, flower size and corm diameter were examined.It is essential that the cultivation should be used as one of the protection methods of these endangered crocus species. Therefore, the studies related to the corm and seed germination were carried out and the most convenient germination method has been introduced.As a result, it was observed that the flowering time for Crocus ancyrensis (Herbert) Maw is in February and March, and seeding time is in April and May, and that there are 30 seeds in one capsule in average. Likewise, it was observed that the flowering time for C. speciosus subsp. ilgazensis Mathew is in September and October, and seeding time is in June and July, and that there are 45 seeds in one capsule in average. 1000 seed weight of Crocus ancyrensis (Herbert) Maw was measured as 3.52 gr. and for C. speciosus subsp. ilgazensis Mathew as 3.75 gr.The best seed germination method for both crocus species is that the seeds are kept in 250ppm GA3 (Gibberellic Acid) hormone for 4 hours and then they transferred into the growth chamber with the temperature of 10?C ±2?C and with the humidity of 70 %.As a result, the biology of these both species is examined and it was concluded that these species are likely to be protected and used as one of the other economic plants by putting them under a cultivation.Key Words: Crocus spp., morphology, phenology, seed germination.