Effect of Bio-, Manure and Chemical Fertilizers and Corm Weight on the Corm Characteristics of Saffron (Crocus sativus)

The present research was accomplished in order to investigate the effects of different fertilizers and corm size on corm characteristics of saffron, in Mahvelate, during 2012. The experiment was conducted as a split plot factorial design with four replications. Treatments were comprised of manure and chemical fertilizers (in three levels of 100%, 50% and control) considered as main plot, and combination of biological fertilizer (in three levels of nitroxin, bio-superphosphate and control) and mother corm weight (in three levels of 4-6, 8-10 and 12-14 g) as sub plot. Result showed that application of manure and chemical fertilizers increased number and weight of daughter corm significantly, but had no significant effect on corm diameter. Use of biological fertilizers caused weight of corm to be increased by 3.7%, whereas didn’t change the number of corm and corm diameter. The highest number, diameter and weight of daughter corm was also recorded btained with use of the largest mother corm. Since big corms producted more yield in next years, it is suggested that use of big corms in saffron production. Also use of biological fertilizers caused improvement characteristics of dauther corm and reduction use of manure and chemical fertilizers.