Effects of corm weight and application of fertilizer types on some growth characteristics and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under Mahvelat conditions

In order to study the effects of manure, biological and chemical fertilizers and corm weight on characteristics of saffron flower and leaf criteria, an experiment was conducted as split plot factorial based on a RCBD with four replications at Mahvelat city during growing season of 2011-2012. Treatments were included three corm weights (4-6, 8-10 and 12-14 g), bio-fertilizer in three types (Nitroxin, Bio-super phosphate and no bio-fertilizer) and manure and chemical fertilizers in three levels (100 and 50% and non fertilizer). Manure, chemical fertilizers and corm size were considered as main plot and sub plot factors, respectively. The results showed that the effect of manure and chemical fertilizers were significant on flower dry weight, stigma and style weight, leaf number and leaf length of saffron. Application of 100% manure with chemical fertilizer had resulted in maximum flower dry weight, stigma and style weight, leaf number and leaf length of saffron. Effect of biological fertilizer was significant on leaf number and leaf length and their maximum were obtained in Nitroxin, Bio super phosphate and no bio-fertilizer, respectively. But application of biological fertilizer had no significant effect on stigma and style weight of saffron. Nitroxin fertilizer had a significant effect on flower dry weight while the use of Bio super phosphate fertilizer had no significant effect on these traits. Also, the flower dry weight, stigma and style weights, leaf number and leaf length of saffron significantly affected by corm size. The results revealed that the interaction effect of manure-chemical fertilizers and corm weight was significant on dry flower weight, stigma and style weights, leaf number and leaf length of saffron. Interaction effects of biological fertilizer and corm weight was significant on dry flower weight and leaf number of saffron and also there was significant effect between manure-chemical and biological fertilizers on leaf number and leaf length of saffron.