Effect of some fertilizer sources and mother corm weight on growth criteria and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

In order to study the effects of some fertilizer sources and mother corm weights on qualitative and quantitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a factorial pot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at College of Agriculture, University of Birjand during 2014 and 2015. Experimental factors consisted of different fertilizers [Bioaminopalis (3 l.ha-1), humic acid (4 l.ha-1), Yaramila complex (50 kg.ha-1) and control (without fertilizer)] and three mother corm weights included 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 g. The results showed that the simple effects of different fertilizers were significant (p≤0.01) on leaf number (No.plant-1), fresh weight of leaf (g), leaf dry weight (g), number of daughter corms (No.plant-1), fresh weight of mother corms (g) and Picrocrocin, Safranal and Crocin contents of saffron. The simple effect of corm weight was significant (p≤0.01) on leaf number (No.plant-1), leaf length (cm), fresh weight of leaf (g), leaf dry weight (g), number of daughter corms (No.plant-1), fresh weight of daughter corms (g), daughter corms weight (g), diameter of mother corm (cm), fresh weight of mother corms (g), dry weight of mother corms (g), fresh weight of tunic (g), dry weight of tunic (g). Qualitative and quantitative traits of saffron were not affected by the simple effect of corm weight and fertilizer treatments. Also, the greatest leaf number (No.plant-1), fresh weight and dry weight of leaf (g) and number of daughter corms (No.plant-1) were observed where humic acid was applied with mother corms weighing 10-12 g. But the highest levels of Picrocrocin, Crocin and Safranal were obtained in Bioaminopalis application with 87.41, 250, 32.48 respectively. Therefore application of bio-fertilizers and reducing fertilizer use is an important step towards achieving the principles of sustainable agriculture and reduction of environmental pollution and improvement of saffron quality characteristics.