ISHS Acta Horticulturae 650: I International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Biotechnology
INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION ON YIELD OF SAFFRON (CROCUS SATIVUS L.) |
| Authors: | M. Hosseini, B. Sadeghiand, S.A. Aghamiri |
| Keywords: | foliar nutrition, fertilizer, corm |
| Abstract:
Excessive application of chemical fertilizers and alkalinity of most cultivated soils cause foliar fertilization to be applied. Because of the increasing importance of saffron in the economics of central and southern Khorasan during two successive years and in two locations (Ghaen & Bejestan), the effect of urea fertilizer and compound liquid fertilizer on foliar uptake and the increase of saffron yield was evaluated. Experimental design was R.C.B.D. with 4 replicates and 13 treatments. Fertilizers were applied separately with the concentration of 7 gr per 1000 ml water. Results obtained from annual and combined analysis of variance showed significant difference among yield of treatments (P < 0.01). Application of fertilizer spraying in months of winter caused number of flowers to be increased. The highest yield obtained from application of compound fertilizer once in March 5 that accounted for 33% increase in yield. In biology of saffron, months February and March have considerable importance because young corms that are formed on mother corms up to February have no roots, and for continuing of vital activities during March and April saffron plant relies on its leaves through photosynthesis and absorbing nutrients from rainfall. So, application of foliar fertilizers during March is very useful. | |
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