Evaluation of Mixing Some ACCase Inhibitor Herbicides with Liquid Fertilizer PROLEX on Growth Characteristics and Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most important economic crop products of Koarasan Razavi and South Khorasan which can not compete with weed species due to low height and poor vegetation. In order to study the efficacy of 3 types of ACCase-inhibitor herbicides (cycloxydim, Haloxyfop- R methyl ester, quazilofop-p-ethyl) in the control of narrow-leaved weeds of saffron and effect of their applying in mixture with liquid fertilizer Prolex, a field study was carried out in Arian Shahr (South Khorasan province) during 2011. A factorial experiment with 3 replications was conducted based on RCBD using two factors including herbicide type in 3 levels (including herbicides cycloxidim, haloxyfop-R-methyl ester, quizalifop-p-ethyl) as well as a control plot with no herbicide application and liquid fertilizer in 2 levels (including Prolex foliar application and no liquid fertilizer). A 2-year saffron field was selected for this study and foliar application of the liquid fertilizer and herbicide spraying were carried out at 3-5 leaf stage of narrow leaved weed species in early February 2011. Measured traits consisted of density and biomass of narrow leaved weed species, as well as the length and dry weight of saffron leaves and its yield. Results showed that the application of Prolex increased the dry weight and yield of saffron either in mixture with herbicides or without them. Spraying the cycloxidim herbicide significantly reduced saffron yield through its negative impacts on saffron plants. In the case of haloxyfop-R-methyl ester (Gallant Super) and quizalifop-p-ethyl (Targa Super) herbicides, although there were not considerable differences in saffron yield between herbicide and non-herbicide applied plots where no mixture with liquid fertilizer had been done, there were remarkable yield increases (2-10%) where liquid fertilizer was mixed with these two herbicides. Overall, it seems that the application of the liquid fertilizer Prolex in mixture with herbicides Targa Super and Gallant Super would enhance saffron yield and provide a proper control over narrow leaved weed species.