The Changes in Yield, Biochemical Properties and Essential Oil Compounds of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Plants Treated with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers under Dryland Farming System

The use of environmental friendly fertilizers is the main agricultural practice to improve the plant quality and quantity. The present study aims to assess the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on flower and stigma yield, biochemical properties and essential oil (EO) composition of saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) in research station of Hamand Absard, Iran. The plants were treated with cattle manure (20 t ha-1) and foliar application of delfard (7 kg ha-1) and floral P (2.5 kg ha-1) in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications under dryland farming system. The results showed significant increases of flower number and yield under all fertilizers compared to control. The yield of fresh and dry stigma under manure application was higher than floral and delfard. The response of chlorophyll (Chl) concentration was different under fertilizers. Floral and manure application led to higher Chl a compared to control. Chl b under manure and delfard was significantly higher than control and floral. TPC and TFC were significantly improved by organic and inorganic fertilizers. The main improvement of TPC and TFC was obtained under manure application followed by floral and delfard. GC/MS analysis showed the main EO composition were Methyl pentanoate (25.8- 62.15%) followed by Dihydro- β- ionol (17.7-34.79%), and hexadecyl acetate (4.9-9.4%), representing different responses to fertilizers. To sum up, the best fertilizer to improve the yield of saffron was manure followed by floral and delfard.