جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "organic manure" در نشریات گروه "زراعت"

Alfalfa is one of the most important fodder plants, being able to produce a high quantity of forage dry mass with high concentration of protein and to symbiotically fix atmospheric nitrogen. Having a deep and extensive root system, it reduces soil erosion and improves water penetration in agricultural soils (11). The results of the previous researches showed that the use of Nitroxin and Phosphate Barvar-2 bi-fertilizers had a significant effect on plant protein concentration and the highest protein (22.3%) was obtained when the plants were inoculated with Phosphate Barvar-2 and received organic amendment in the form of mushroom compost. Also, the use of Nitroxin and Barvar-2 bi-fertilizer increased the efficiency of nitrogen consumption, and inoculation with Nitroxin had the highest (22.8%) nitrogen use efficiency (5). Our study aimed to shed light on the nitrogen physiological efficiency and some agronomic traits of alfalfa in the presence of bio-fertilizers and organic manures in Kashan, central Iran.

This study was carried out in Aran and Bidgol, central Iran, in 2014. The experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments were 4 levels of bio-fertilizers (control, Nitroxin, Phosphate Barvar-2, and Nitroxin+Phosphat Barvar-2) and animal manures (control, cattle manure, sheep manure, and poultry manure in 10 tons/ha). Stems/m2, grains/m2, 1000-grains weight, days to 10 percent flowering, accumulative fresh weight, nitrogen content, protein content, protein yield, physiological efficiency of nitrogen and nitrogen use efficiency were evaluated.

Application of bio-fertilizers enhanced all examined attributes, compared to control, the extent of enhancement in a majority of attributes being greater for Nitroxin + Phosphate Barvar-2. The highest and lowest grains/m2 and 1000-grains weight belonged to application of Nitroxin+ Phosphate Barvar-2 + 10 tons/ha cattle manure and control treatments, respectively. The highest nitrogen content, protein content, and protein yield were obtained by the application of Nitroxin and poultry manures. The highest physiological efficiency of nitrogen was recorded under the conditions of control and cattle manure (3.19 Kg/Kg). The highest nitrogen use efficiency was observed in the presence of cattle manure and Nitroxin+ Phosphate Barvar-2. The application of Nitroxin + Phosphate Barvar-2 with an average of 68.4 tons/ha led to 15.63% increase compared to other levels of bio-fertilizer. Therefore, the combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphate Barvar-2 has been able to produce a high-quality animal feed in successive harvests than the sole application of each of these bio-fertilizers. Among the different levels of organic fertilizers, application of cow manure with an average of 67.08 tons/ha and no use of organic fertilizer with an average of 62.37 tons/ha produced the highest and lowest cumulative fresh weight of alfalfa, respectively. Also, the highest physiological efficiency of nitrogen (with an average of 3.40 kg of grains produced per kg of nitrogen applied) was achieved when 10 tons/ha of cow manure was applied.

The combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphat Barvar-2 bio-fertilizers was more effective than the sole application of each of these biofertilizers. Among the levels of organic manure (10 tons per hectare), cow manure was found to be more effective in enhancing the examined traits. Application of poultry manure had a more favorable effect on nitrogen and protein concentrations and protein yield of alfalfa. Therefore, combined application of Nitroxin and Phosphat Barvar-2 bio-fertilizers is recommended for producing alfalfa in the climatic conditions of Kashan.

This study aims at investigating the effect of organic, biological, and chemical fertilizers on some quantitative and qualitative traits of local mass of Iranshahr Isabgol, as a medicinal plant during 2018-2019 crop year in a randomized complete block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications in Iranshahr. Fertilizer treatments are no fertilizer application (control), Phosphate Barvar 2 biofertilizer, Phosphate Barvar 3 biofertilizer, Cow manure, Superphosphate triple, and Vermicompost. The results show that fertilizers’ effect on most traits have been significant at the 1% probabilify level. The effect of fertilizer treatments on plant Height and Carbohydrates has not been significant but it has been considerable on Inflation index and Greenness index at 5% probability level. Maximum number of tillers per plant, number of spikes, spike length, fresh weight of plant, swelling index, Carbohydrate, Seed Nitrogen, Seed Potassium, and Greenness index aree obtained under the influence of manure, and traits including root length, plant height, number of seeds per spike, dry weight Plant, 1000-seed weight, plant yield, yield per hectare, Mucilage, Protein, Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, and Total chlorophyll are obtained under the influence of vermicompost. Vermicompost treatment increases grain yield and total chlorophyll by 46.56% and 32.76%, respectively, compared to the control. Also, control and Phosphate Barvar 2 biofertilizer have had the highest swelling and the highest percentage of Seed Phosphorus, respectively. In general, it is concluded that vermicompost has a greater effect on most quantitative and qualitative traits of Isabgol, and its use is recommended.

Terminal heat stress in Khuzestan province, decrease growth, yield and yield components of wheat. The vermicompost fertilizer improve water reserve and physical and chemical properties of soil. One of the important ways to reduce the negative effect of terminal heat stress on plant is using vermicompost fertilizer in the soil. Using vermicompost fertilizer in agricultural soils lead to increase nutrient elements and conserving the soil water and decrease the negative impacts of drought stress on plant. Generally, vermicompost fertilizer contribute to preserving the moisture storage of the soil and to supply the nutrients required by the plant. In this study, the most important aim is to study the effect of vermicompost fertilizer on bread wheat yield and yield components under terminal heat stress in Ahwaz climatic condition.

In order to evaluate the effect of vermicompost fertilizer on growth and yield of wheat in terminal heat stress of Ahwaz, a field experiment using split-plot design based on randomized complete block design with four replicates was conducted in research farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan during (in 31º N, 48º E, 35 Km north-east of Ahwaz, and 20 m above the sea level) 2017-2018 growing season. Experimental factors were three sowing dates (22 Nov., 11 Dec. and 31 Dec.) in main plots and five vermicompost rates (0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 t.ha-1) in sub plots.

Analysis of variance showed that the effect of sowing date and vermicompost were significant on measured traits. Mean comparison revealed that the highest grain yield (2356 kg.h-1) was at the first sowing date and the lowest grain yield (1732 kg.h-1) was at the last sowing date. Also, in vermicompost levels, the maximum grain yield (2593 kg.ha-1) was in 20 t.ha-1 of vermicompost application and the minimum grain yield (1566 kg.ha-1) was in control of vermicompost.

Generally, the results showed that with delay in sowing date and occurrence of terminal heat stress, decreased growth and grain yield of wheat. But, using vermicompost fertilizer decreased the negative impact of drought stress. So that, with increase vermicompost application, increased measured traits. Also, in areas with terminal heat stress after flowering stage, using 20 tons per hectare of vermicompost fertilizer is recommended for maintaining grain yield.

The current study investigates the effects of different levels of nutrient and Fe foliar application on stigma and flower yield of saffron. A field experiment was conducted as a factorial layout based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2012-2014. The experimental factors included chemical fertilizer (NPK) at three levels (0-0-0, 30-15-30, 60-30-60 kg.ha-1), vermicompost at two levels (0, 4 t.ha-1), humic acid at two levels (0, 5 kg.ha-1) and two levels of Fe foliar spraying concentration (0, 0.08 µmol). The number of flower, fresh and dry weight of stigma and flower yield were determined for two years. The results of analysis of variance revealed that the studied experimental factors had a significant effect on quantitative traits of saffron flowers and stigma. There was a significant difference between the chemical fertilizer levels on flower number and stigma dry weight. The highest flower number (165.m-2) and stigma dry weight (1.16 g.m-2) were obtained in the NPK fertilizer (60-30-60) treatment. Moreover, the interaction between chemical fertilizer and other factors was significant and led to the improvement of the number of flowers and stigma dry weight per unit of area. Stigma dry weight increased in vermicompost, humic acid and Fe foliar application compared with control (3.3 1.3 and 2.7 percent, respectively). However, two-way interaction of factors did not affect the number of flower.m-2. In addition, the three-way interaction of humic acid, vermicompost and chemical fertilizer significantly affected stigma dry weight.m-2. Four-way interaction of all studied factors including year, vermicompost, chemical fertilizer and Fe foliar spraying were significant on flower dry weight and stigma fresh and dry weight per unit area when compared with control (p≤0.05). Quantitative traits of flower and stigma in the second year improved in comparison with the first year. The interaction effects between year and chemical fertilizer was significant on the traits that were studied.

Lack of water is one of the main factors in the reduction of agricultural production at arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients and key factor in achievement to favorable yield in crops. Organic sourceses in combined with chemical fertilizer can lead to soil fertility and increase crop production. Thus it seems necessary investigate the effect of different nutritional systems (Organic, chemical and integrated) and irrigation cut-off on yield and yield components of safflower.
The experiment was done on spring safflower (Isfahan-14 cultivar) as slit-plots arranged in a randomized completed block design with three replications. The main plot were including irrigation at the four levels (S0: full irrigation, S1: irrigation cut-off at the stem elongation stage, S2: irrigation cut-off at the flowering and anthesis stage and S3: irrigation cut-off at the grain filling stage) and subplot including different nutritional systems in the six levels (N0: no fertilizer, N1: 100 kg pure nitrogen from urea, N2: 75 kg pure nitrogen from urea kg nitrogen from organic manure, N3: 50 kg pure nitrogen from urea kg nitrogen from organic manure, N4: 25 kg pure nitrogen from urea kg nitrogen from organic manure and N5: 100 kg nitrogen from organic manure) (Organic manure was used poultry manure). This experiment was measured LAI, yield, yield components and water use efficiency.
The obtained results indicated that irrigation cut-off at different growth stages had significant effect on measured traits; so at treatment of irrigation cut-off at the flowering and anthesis stage, number of fill grain per head than full irrigation treatment decreased 21.5 percent. Also yield and yield components at integrated nutritional systems were more than chemical and organic nutritional systems. The highest grain yield at full irrigation, irrigation cut-off at the stem elongation stage, irrigation cut-off at the flowering and anthesis stage and irrigation cut-off at the grain filling stage treatments was obtained from integrated nutritional systems of N2 (4291.7 kg ha-1), N2 (3211.7 kg ha-1), N2 (2653.3 kg ha-1) and N2 (3603.4 kg ha-1), respectively. The weater use efficiency at the S1 and S3 treatments in the all nutritional systems increased than S2 treatment.
Use of organic manures in combined with chemical fertilizers by moderating the effects of drought stress led to improvement yield and yield components of safflower under irrigation cut-off conditions. Therefore grain yield at S2 treatment in different nutritional systems of N2 and N3 was similar treatment of full irrigation and chemical nutritional system. Based on obtained results can stated that in safflower planting can by irrigation cut-off at grain filling stage and application of integrated nutritional systems somewhat compensated the decline caused by lack of available water.

Background and Coriander is one the most important cultivated medicinal plants, because of high quality essential oil and its uses as food and herbal medicine. Sustainable agriculture with ecological principles can increase the efficiency of resource utilization and provide longer productivity for humans while creating a balance in the environment. Using organic fertilizers to replace or considerably reduce the use of chemical fertilizers leads to an increase in the quality and performance of the sustainable production of crops. This research is conducted in order to study the effects of organic and chemical different nutrition systems on yield and essential oil contents of coriander.
This field experiment was done based on a randomized complete block (RCBD) design with 8 treatments and 3 replications in the agricultural education and research center of the Ilam county during 2015. Treatments include 10 and 20 t ha-1 of cow manure, 5 and 10 t ha-1 of vermicomposting, 5 t ha-1 of cow manure plus 2.5 t ha-1 of vermicomposting, 5 t ha-1 of cow manure plus 5 t ha-1 of vermicomposting, chemical fertilizers (only 75 kg N ha-1), and the control (without fertilizer application). Measured variables included seed yield, essential oil yield and percentage, and the essential oil components of the essence. In order to determine the amount of essential oil, the process of essence extraction is done through the Clevenger apparatus by distillation; and the essential oil components are determined by (GC/MS).
The results indicated that the highest seed yield (3257.7 kg ha-1), essential oil percentage (0.154%) essential oil yield (23.75 kg ha-1), linalool content (62.61%), and geranyl acetate content in (21.9%) occur in 10 tons of cow manure, 5 tons of vermicomposting, and 10 tons of cow manure plus 5 tons of vermicomposting, respectively. Furthermore, the highest percentages of α-Pinene (11.45%) and γ-terpinene content (7.12%) were obtained related to 10 tons of vermicomposting.
The results showed that integrated nutrient management of Coriander as a medicinal plant has significant effects on quantitative and qualitative indicators. On the whole, the highest seed and essential oil yield are obtained using 10 tons of cow manure, and the highest essential oil yield compounds are obtained using vermicomposting. According to to the results, organic different nutrition systems can replace the bulk of chemical urea fertilizer in cultivation of coriander as a medicinal plant. It’s a step towards sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

To study the effect of different organic and chemical fertilizers on weed biomass and some characteristics of safflower, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was done at the Urmia University Reaearch Farm in 2013. Treatments consisted of growing of cover crops (red clover, grass pea, hairy, bitter vetch) along with the safflower rows and two weed control treatments (with and without weed) as a first factor and application of organic manure (cattle manure渪ὺ뭢阬) and the different nitrogen and phosphuros fertilizer levels (100 % of recommended chemical fertilizer, 67 and 63 % of recommended N and P, 50 and 40 % of recommended N and P) as second factor. Results showed that the biomass yield of broad and narrow leaf weeds affected by the combined treatments of cover crops and use of fertilizers. The biomass yield of broad and narrow leaf weeds were redused by 74.78, 82.22% under vetch cover crop when 50 and 40% of recommended N and P fertilizers were used, in comparison with sole culture of safflower and use of 100% of recommended chemical fertilizers. The maximum of seed yield (3431 kg.ha-1) and biological yield (8239 kg.ha-1) of safflower obtained from using 100% of recommended chemical fertilizers and without growing cover crops. Results, as a whole, showed that at higher levels of chemical fertilizers the competitive effects of weeds on safflower were higher than lower levels of fertilizers.

In order to investigate the effects of different municipal waste compost levels of and maternal corm weights on yield and vegetative characteristics of saffron, an experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, University of Birjand during the growing season of 2014-2015. The treatments were four levels of municipal waste compost (0, 5, 10 and 20 t.ha-1) and three mother corm weights (0.1- 4, 4.1- 8 and 8.1- 12 g). The traits included the number of flower, fresh weight of flower, stigma and fresh weight of corm with scale, weight and diameter replacement and number of buds. The results showed that the effect of municipal waste compost was significant on total weight corm with scale, diameter of center corm and replacement corm, weight of fresh flower and stigma. The highest corm weight and number of replacement corms were obtained for treatment 10 t. ha-1 compost (21.33 g. plant -1 and 2.33 number, respectively), while the control had the lowest values (with 16.4 g. plant -1 and 1.66 number). The effect of mother corm weight was significant on the vegetative characteristics of saffron. The highest corm weight with scale, diameter of replacement, flower yield and fresh weight of flower and stigma were observed for 8.1-12 g. The most fresh and dry weight of stigma (0.31 and 0.11 g. m -1, respectively) were observed from treatment mother corm weight 8.1-12 g, while the lowest values (0.06 and 0.03 g. m -1) were 0.1- 4g. Interaction between municipal waste compost and corm weight had a significant effect on the weight of fresh flower, sepal, stigma and the number of lateral buds and the highest fresh weight of flower (9.36 g. m-2) and stigma (0.41 g. m-2) were observed for treatment 10 t. ha-1 and 8.1-12g. Generally, the findings of the current study revealed that the use of municipal waste compost (10 t. ha-1) and large mother corms (8/1-12 g) had positive effects on corm growth and flower yield of saffron.

Application of organic fertilizers increases quality and yields in the sustainable crop production and considerably replaces or reduces chemical fertilizers. In order to study the effects of different manure and vermicompost rates on yield and essential oil contents of dragonhead, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and three replications in the field of Pakdasht city in 2012. The treatments were 10 and 20 t/ha manure, 5 and 10 t/ha vermicompost, 5 t/ha manure 2.5 t/ha vermicompost, 10 t/ha manure 5 t/ha vermicompost, chemical fertilizer (70 kg/ha nitrogen) and control (without fertilizer). The results showed that the highest herbage yield, essential oil contents and yield, geranyl acetate percentage and geraniol percentage in essential oil were obtained by using 10 t/ha manure, 5 t/ha vermicompost and integrated application of 10 t/ha manure and 5 t/ha vermicompost, respectively. The highest geranial percentage, neral percentage and neryl acetate percentage in essential oil were obtained by using 10 t/ha vermicompost application. Generally, the highest herbage and essential oil yields were obtained by using 10 t/ha manure application and the highest essential oil contents with vermicompost application.

The main objective of sustainable agriculture is to decrease the off-farm inputs such as chemical fertilizers, increased farm nutrient cycle through reduced tillage and the use of biological and organic fertilizers. Studies on medicinal plants indicates that the use of sustainable farming systems provide the best conditions for the production of these plants. Mycorrhizal fungi, vermicompost and humic acid are samples of biological and organic fertilizer that can be used, to eliminate or substantially reduce the use of chemical inputs in order to increase the quantity, quality and stability of the products. Mycorrhizal fungi are one of the most important rhizosphere microorganisms which have symbiotic relation with root of most crops. Mycorrhizal symbiosis improves the soil physical (through expansion of hyphae of fungus), chemical (through increased absorption of nutrients) and biological (the soil food web) quality. These fungus increased nutrient uptake, such as phosphorus and some micronutrients, water uptake, reducing the negative effects of environmental stress and increase resistance to pathogens and improve the quality of their host plants. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is one of the most important medicinal plants, as the essential oil from the seeds used in a variety of industries, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic use. Anethole is important component of the essential oil of fennel seed. This experiment was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design in order to evaluate the effects of vermicompost application, humic acid and mycorrhizal fungi on quantitative and qualitative aspects of fennel yield at experimental farm of Shahrood University during growing season of 1391-92. This experiment includes 12 treatments and 3 applications. Vermicompost levels include: v1 (no application) v2 (4 ton ha-1) v3 (8 ton ha-1). Mycorrhizal fungi include: m1 (no inoculation) and m2 (inoculation) and humic acid include: h1(no application) and h2 (application). Each plot had 5 rows with row spacing of 50 cm and row length of 5 m was considered. Ten grams mycorrhizal fungi were added to the soil under each seed. Humic acid was sprayed in 3 stages (vegetative, reproductive and seed filling stage) according to the recommended dose (200 mg per liter). Sampling and measuring of traits were done at the end of the season and after removal of border rows. A 50 gram sample of each plot milled and then essence collected with Clevenger for three hours using water distillation. Percent of fungal colonization obtained with Gridline Intersect Method. Finally, for analysis of data and drawing shapes, MSTAT-C software and Microsoft Excel were used. Comparison of the least significant difference test (LSD) was conducted at the 5% level. Results of this study showed the main effects of experimental factors on seed yield, essence percent and yield were significant. Comparison of mean results showed the highest seed yield (1119.37 kg ha-1) obtained from mycorrhizal colonization. With increasing vermicompost applying, seed yield also increased. So, the greatest and lowest seed yield obtained from 8 ton ha-1 vermicompost and control plots (1315 and 1016 kg ha-1), respectively. With humic acid foliar application, seed yield increased about 18 percent. In this experiment essence percent significantly increased due to mycorrhizal colonization. Essence percent of fennel seeds showed, the highest value of essence percent (2.83%) obtained from 8 ton.ha-1 vermicompost and the lowest essence was obtained from control plots (2.15%). Seed essence percent significantly increased due to humic acid foliar application compared with control plots (2.6% and 2.4% respectively). Essence yield significantly increased due to mycorrhizal inoculation (31.67 kg ha-1). Vermicompost application increased essence yield about 64 and 25 percent compared with control plots. Compared to control, humic acid increased essence yield by 22 percent. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root colonization compared with control plots (47.39 and 23.89 %, respectively). Application of vermicompost increased root colonization by about 6% compared to control plots. Combined effects of vermicompost and mycorrhiza on seed yield and essence percent were significant. Combination effects of vermicompost and mycorrhiza showed, seed yield increased about 45 percent. Moreover, combination of mycorrhiza and 8 ton.ha-1 vermicompost resulted in the highest seed essence yield (3.09 kg ha-1) that significantly was higher than control polts (2.11 kg ha-1). The threeway interactions of factors on seed yield and essence percent was also significant. The highest essence percent of seed obtained from combination of 8 ton.ha-1 with humic acid and mycorrhizal inoculation (3.09 %) which significantly was higher than control plots (1.99%). In this treatment essence yield was 36% higher than control plots. In general, the highest amounts of anethole obtained from 8 ton ha-1 with humic acid and mycorrhizal inoculation. On the other hand, with increase in anethole the amounts of stragol, fenkon and limonene per seed essence decreased. Results of this study showed that vermicompost and humic acid application and also mycorrhizal colonization, improved the quantitative and qualitative yield of fennel. So, the seed yield, essence yield and root colonization significantly affected by these factors. These factors without causing environmental damage, provide nutrients for medicinal plants, therefore improved the yield and quality.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice and 95% of its global production is in Iran. In order to study the effects of cow manure and foliar spraying on criteria of daughter corms and flower yield in six year-old saffron, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during two growing seasons of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Treatments were Yaramilla complex (A), Humestar (B), True fertilizer (C), Delfard (D), manure fertilizer as composted cow manure (E), A+E, B+E, C+E, D+E and control. Twenty t.ha-1 of cow manure were applied at the end of fall on the soil surface. Foliar nutrient treatments were sprayed at three times during vegetative stage of saffron (7 mg.kg-1). The results showed that the effects of cow manure and foliar spraying were significant on dry weight of tunic, dry weight of leaf, dry weight of corm, leaf length, leaf appearance rate, flower emergence rate, flower number, fresh weight of flower and dry weight of stigma for saffron (p≤0.01). The highest leaf appearance rate and flower emergence rate were observed in C+E with 7.34 leaves per day and 11.7 flowers per day, respectively. The maximum fresh weight of flower and stigma dry weight were obtained in C+E with 69.77 and 0.66 g.m, respectively. These lowest amounts were obtained in control with 27.30 and 0.26 g.m-2, respectively. The application of cow manure resulted in enhanced growth and yield of corm and flower. Also, foliar spraying improved flowering rate, flower yield and stigma yield of saffron due to increasing in production assimilates and their translocation to corm and below ground organs.

In order to investigate effect of organic manure and super absorbent on potato (Solanum tubersum، cv. Marfona) yield، a split plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications on field experiment، Agriculture College، University of Razi in 2010. Main factor included two levels of super absorbent A200 (0 and 70 Kg/ha،) and split plot included nine levels (0، chemical fertilizer (according to soil test)، granule chicken manure (1000 kg/ha)، common chicken manure (12 ton/ha)، soil mix (1000 kg/ha)، common animal fertilizer (20 ton/ha)، vermicompost (20 ton/ha)، compost (20 ton/ha) and tea compost (soaking tubers and spraying at four times). Effect of superabsorbent and organic manure and their interaction on tuber dry matter per hectare was significant. Effect of superabsorbent on stem number per plant، tuber yield and plant height was significant (P < 0. 05)، but superabsorbent did not have any significant effect on tuber number per plant. Results showed that different levels of organic manure had a significant effect on plant height، tuber number per plant، stem number per plant، tuber yield and diameter، tuber weight per plant and total dry matter per plant. Totally، it is concluded that granule chicken manure (with or without superabsorbent) had the highest effect on all of these traits. Correlation coefficients showed that tuber fresh matter per hectare had a positive and significant correlation with stem diameter، stem number per plant، tuber number per hectare، mean micro tuber diameter of 10 to 35 mm. Tuber fresh matter per hectare had a significant and positive correlation with harvest index.

In order to investigate the effects of high corm planting density and applied manure on flower characteristics and corms behavior of Saffron in the second year (Crocus sativus L.)، a field experiment was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture، Ferdowsi University of Mashhad، Iran during the years of 2010-2011 and 2011- 2012. A complete randomized block design based on factorial arrangement with three replications and 20 treatments was used. The experimental treatments were all combination of different levels of high corm planting density (100، 200، 300 and 400 corms. m-2) and different levels of manure (0، 40، 60، 80 and 100 t. ha-1). Based on analysis of variance، high corm planting density and manure had significant effects on flower characteristics of saffron (flower number، fresh and dried flower and stigma+ style yields). In addition، these characteristics were significantly affected by interaction effects of high corm planting density × manure. In all levels of manure (0 to 100 t. ha-1)، the highest flower number and fresh and dried flower yields of saffron were observed with planting density of 400 corms. m-2. In addition، in 100 corms density per m2، total replacement corms increased more than twice، by applied 100 t. ha-1 manure، as compared to no manure. Based on these results، the highest effects on increasing number and yield of saffron corms were observed by planting density of 300 corms. m-2.

Use of organic inputs and suitable density of corm are two agronomic important factors to achieve the maximum yield in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to study the effects of spent mushroom compost (SMC) levels and corm densities on agronomic characteristics, flower and stigma yields of saffron, a greenhouse experiment was conducted as factorial layout based on a randomized completed block design with three replications at the Campus of Agricultural Research Greenhouse, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during two years of 2009 and 2010. Factors were three levels of SMC (0, 60 and 120 t.ha-1) and three corm densities (50, 100 and 150 corm.m-2). Leaf and tunic dry weights, leaf length, number and weight of corms in three groups (2-4, 4-8 and 8-16 g), corm diameter, flower number, flower fresh weight and stigma yield of saffron were measured. Results indicated that the simple effects of SMC levels and corm densities on leaf and tunic dry weights, leaf length, corm diameter, number and weight of corms in different groups, flower number, flower fresh weight and economical yield of saffron were significant (p≤0.05). By increasing in corm density, growth, flower production and yield of saffron were enhanced. By increasing in corm density from 50 to 150 corms.m-2, flower and stigma yield were decreased up to 12%. Application of 60 t.ha-1 SMC enhanced growth characteristics and economical yield of saffron and these traits were declined afterwards. The maximum and the minimum flower fresh weight and stigma yield of saffron were observed in 60 t.ha-1 SMC (55.05 and 0.51 kg.ha-1) and control (46.22 and 0.43 kg.ha-1), respectively. Therefore, it seems that the application of appropriate levels of organic inputs and corm density must be considered for this cash crop.