Effects of planting date and nano fertilizers on quantity and quality features of ‎saffron in Guilan

The present study aimed to study quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as affected by complete nano fertilizer (0 (K0), 5 (K1), and 10 (K2) mg l-1), carbon nanotube (0 (L0) and 2 (L1) mg l-1) and different planting dates (August 15 (T1), August 26 (T2), and September 5 (T3)) in a factorial experiment based on a RCBD with three replications. It was found that delayed sowing accompanied with the application of nano fertilizers promoted quantitative and qualitative traits; so that in the application of "L1K1T3" for the duration of flowering period (14.66 days), flower number (4.033), stigma fresh weight (0.0488 mg), stigma dry weight (0.022 mg), and safranal (44.56), picrocrocin (81.13) and crocin (188.33); However, "L1K1T3" is in all mentioned traits other than picrocrocin did not significant difference with "L1K2T3". The highest anthocyanin was obtained under "L1K1T3", "L1K2T3", "L1K2T2" and "L1K1T3". In total, it can be said that the quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron was improved by the application of nano fertilizers – through making the optimum nutrients available-and the planting of roots in August-September – through making the optimum moisture and temperature available.