Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 - M.Sc. Student in Medicinal Plants, Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran
2 - Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of plant protection Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a flowering plant of the genus Crocus in the family Iridaceae. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural and medicinal plant has a unique status among industrial and export products, and important for producing employment opportunities. Soil fertility management is a proper strategy for increasing soil organic matter, strengthening microbial communities, preserving biodiversity, enhancing agricultural input efficiency, and eventually improving plant quantitative and qualitative yields. To attain this goal, the fertilization management program should be designed to increase nutrient use efficiency. Optimal nutrient delivery, controlled-release fertilizers, integrated fertilization management, the use of organic nutrient resources, and beneficial symbiotic microorganisms with plant roots are all examples of methods that helps achieving nutrient use efficiency. Chemical fertilizers are the most often used fertilizers in saffron fields, and their excess can jeopardize farmed soil and water quality, and reduce the yield of saffron. As a result, biological fertilizers have attracted more interest for being more safe, low-cost, and have fewer negative environmental effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the weight of the saffron peduncle, mycorrhizal fungi, and Azotobacter biofertilizer on the growth and yield of saffron, so that by selecting the best amount of biofertilizers and the appropriate weight of the saffron peduncle, and as a result, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, steps can be taken to develop the cultivation and improve the yield of this important medicinal plant.
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