Abstract

In the present study, statistical analyses were conducted of the leaf width and corm diameter of Colchicum speciosum, in order to be able to determine whether it is suitable for harvesting, without uprooting the plant. C. speciosum samples (n = 213) were collected randomly from the Hamsiköy district in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. The leaf width and corm diameter of each plant was measured. Data of 180 plants were used in correlation and regression analyses, and data of 33 plants were used as a control group. The correlation between leaf width and corm diameter was found to be 0.864. A determination model created using leaf width and corm diameter showed a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.778, and standard error (S_y) 0.128. A paired t-test was conducted using Control data in order to test the validity of the regression model. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the corm diameter obtained through measurements and the estimated corm diameter obtained using the created model at a reliability level of 95% (p < 0.05). According to the regression model created, the minimum leaf width was estimated as 73 mm in a C. speciosum plant with a minimum ripe corm diameter of 25 mm.

Key words: Colchicum speciosum, corm diameter, leaf width, modeling.