Yield of Saffron under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir. F.A. Nehvi, A.A. ... over control. Study suggests a beneficial effect of vermicompost in saffron and thus.
Comparative Study on Effect of Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Saffron under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir F.A. Nehvi, A.A. Lone, M.A. Khan and M.I. Maqhdoomi K.D. Research Station Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir India Keywords: INM, yield, saffron Abbreviation: FYM: Farmyard manure Abstract Application of FYM had more pronounced effect on saffron yield as compared to in-organic fertilizers. FYM alone at different levels recorded the highest saffron yield (4.011 kg/ha), whereas impact with inorganic fertilizers was exhibited to the tune of 3.417 kg/ha (CLF). Application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with N:P:K at 30:20:15 kg/ha recorded maximum saffron yield averaged over 3 years (4.350 kg/ha) showing an increase of above 91% over the control plots. For corm production application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with Compound Liquid Fertilizer (12% N, 7% P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn Chelates) at 7 g/1000 m recorded maximum corm yield/m2 (1047 g), followed by application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with Urea spray at 46%. Maximum corm yield was associated with maximum percentage of flowering corms weighing above 5 g (>77%). An increase of 30% in corm production was recorded with application of vermicompost ranging from 300 to 350 kg/ha. However, application of 250 kg vermicompost in combination with recommended level of FYM and N:P:K recorded highest corm yield/m2 (980 g) showing an increase of 57.42% over control. Study suggests a beneficial effect of vermicompost in saffron and thus it can be effectively used as an alternative for application of FYM which presently is unavailable and if available is very costly. INTRODUCTION Saffron is grown in the state as a rain-fed crop on uplands, called ‘Karewas’ in the local dialect, which are severely to moderately eroded soils located at an altitude of 1600 to 1800 m a.s.l. The soils are heavy textured with silty clay loam as the predominant texture in upper horizons and silty clay in lower horizons. These soils are placed in the order of alfisols, are well drained, slightly alkaline in reaction and normal in soluble salt content. The available nitrogen and phosphorous content of these soils are low to medium, whereas, the available potassium is medium to high. The soils have low available zinc and adequate available copper, manganese and iron. The soils are calcareous in nature and slightly alkaline with normal electrical conductivity. The average organic carbon and calcium carbonate content is 0.35% and 4.61%, respectively in the samples analyzed. The soil pH ranges from 6.3 to 8.3 with the mean value of 7.5 and EC varies from 0.09 to 0.30 dS m-1 with the mean value of 0.17 dS m-1. These values are within the safe limits for growth of the crop (Sadeghi et al., 1987). Since saffron is a perennial crop, it has been adapted to organic fertilizers and hence animal manure plays an important role in this respect. Shahandeh (1990) found that 16-80% of saffron yield is attributed to soil variables and 1-10% was related to water availability. Saffron is cultivated without any nutrient support and as such soils have become unproductive and have resulted in decline in saffron productivity from around 3.00 kg ha-1 to 1.5 to 2.0 kg ha-1 in Kashmir being the second saffron producer after Iran. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to study the impact of different levels of organic and inorganic nutrients on growth and yield of saffron. Proc. 3rd IS on Saffron Eds.: M.Z. Tsimidou et al. Acta Hort. 850, ISHS 2010
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MATERIALS AND METHODS To study the impact of different organic and inorganic manures/fertilizers on saffron, yield and its contributing traits, two experiments were conducted simultaneously over 4 years (2005-2008) at the Saffron Research Station Konibal Pampore. In the first experiment the impact of 4 levels of FYM (0, 150, 250, 350 kg ha-1) in combinations with different levels of inorganic fertilizers applied at 15:10:10 (N:P:K, kg ha-1), 30:20:15 (N:P:K, kg ha-1), Urea at 46% and Compound Liquid Fertilizer (12% N, 7% P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn Chelates) at 7 g/1000 m were studied on saffron yield and its contributing traits while in another experiment the impact of 4 levels of vermin compost (250 kg ha-1; 300 kg ha-1; 350 kg ha-1; 400 kg ha-1) in combination with one level of FYM (20 T ha-1) and one level of N:P:K at 30:20:15 kg ha-1 was studied on similar traits. Each experimental plot consisted of 10 rows of 3.5 m length spaced 20 cm apart. Corms were planted in September in Randomized Block Design replicated twice at a planting geometry of 20×10 cm. Data for yield was collected on plot basis, whereas for contributing traits it was collected on 10 plant basis. WINDOSTAT Statistical Package was used for data analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Analysis of variance recorded significant differences among various levels of manures, inorganic fertilizers and their interaction for all the traits studied except for plant height and style length. Maximum number of longer leaves per corm was recorded with application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with N:P:K at 30:20:15 kg ha-1 (Table 1). Good biomass resulted in a substantial higher number of corms m-2 and a good number of flowers/plot. Application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with Compound Liquid Fertilizer (12% N, 7% P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn Chelates) at 7 g/1000 m recorded maximum corm yield m-2 (1047 g) followed by application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with Urea spray at 46%. Maximum corm yield was associated with maximum percentage of flowering corms weighing above 5 g (>77%). Control plots recorded very low corm yield (580 g m-2) associated with 64% of corms weighing less than 5 g. Study thus confirms that Integrated Nutrient Management in saffron is essential for effective corm production. The maximum number of flowers/plot (345) was also recorded with the application of FYM at 350 kg ha-1 in combination with Compound Liquid Fertilizer (12% N, 7% P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn chelates) at 7 g/1000 m a precursor for maximum corm yield. Hosseini et al. (2004) reported a 33% increase in yield due to application of CLF 100 kg urea fertilizer after flower harvest or merely 25 tons manure or fertilizer spraying once with CLF have been recommended by Sadeghi (1988), Sadeghi and Razavi (1989), Behnia (1994) and Hosseini (1997). Positive correlation of corm yield with maximum number of flowers is attributed to bigger corms weighing more than 5 g on account of application of FYM in combination with CLF. No significant differences were observed for pistil length and its two contributing characters (Stigma length and style length). Results suggest that different accounts of saffron yield were thus attributed to difference in flower number per plot associated with difference in proportion of flowering and non-flowering corms. Data averaged over 4 years revealed that application of FYM had a more pronounced effect on saffron yield as compared to application of inorganic fertilizers. FYM alone at different levels recorded the highest saffron yield (4.011 kg ha-1), whereas impact with inorganic fertilizers was exhibited to the tune of 3.417 kg/ha (CLF). Application of FYM at 350 kg/ha in combination with N:P:K at 30:20:15 kg ha-1 recorded maximum saffron yield averaged over 3 years (4.350 kg ha-1) showing an increase of above 91% over the control plots.(Tables 2, 3). With a total input cost of Rs 8.41 Lakhs/ha, the recommended technology fetches a benefit of Rs 15.17 Lakhs/ha over 4 years revealing a B:C ratio of 1:1.80 (Table 4). In the second experiment application of vermicompost either as a sole or in combination with FYM and inorganic fertilizers revealed significant differences for yield related traits (Table 5). On average, vermicompost 250-400 kg ha-1 increased saffron yield by 9% to what is achieved under recommended practices of Integrated Nutrient 166
Management. Among different levels of vermicompost application 300-350 kg ha-1 recorded maximum saffron yield of 4.886 kg ha-1 in the 3rd year. Data averaged over 3 years recorded a similar impact of vermicompost application 300-350 kg ha-1 showing an increase of 20.36% over recommended practices of FYM 20 T ha-1 in combination with N:P:K 30:20:15 kg ha-1. Best vermicompost treatment was followed by application of vermicompost 300 kg ha-1 showing an increase of 14.02% over control and application of vermicompost250 kg ha-1 showing an increase of 7%. Application of vermicompost 250 kg ha-1 in combination with FYM 20 T ha-1 and N:P:K 30:20:15 kg ha-1 recoded an average saffron yield of 3.449 kg ha-1 with an increase of 12 74% over control. Increased saffron yield was recorded due to more activation of flowers/spath. For corm production application of vermicompost 300 kg ha-1 and 350 kg ha-1 were statistically at par. An increase of 30% in corm production was recorded with application of vermicompost ranging from 300 to 350 kg ha-1. However application of 250 kg vermicompost in combination with the recommended level of FYM and N:P:K recorded highest corm yield m-2 (980 g) showing an increase of 57.42% over control. Study suggests a beneficial effect of vermicompost in saffron and thus can be effectively used as an alternative for application of FYM which presently is unavailable and if available is very costly. Superiority of animal manure in saffron production has been reported in the literature (Kafi et al., 2001; Koocheki, 2003; Mollafilabi, 2003). Although the effect of animal manure appears in the years after plantation but apparent positive effects could be seen in the year of planting too. Effect of animal manure is attributed to enhancement of physical criteria of the soil including better aeration, better water holding capacity and good balance between nutrients in the soil solution and improvement of nutrient exchange between of the soil (Coleman and Crossley, 1995; Lampkin, 1990). Slow release of nutrients from animal manure during the growth period and hence low leaching of the nutrients could also be other criteria for animal manure. Literature Cited Behnia, M.R. 1994. Effect of different levels of chemical and animal fertilization in saffron yield. In: Proceedings of 2nd seminar on saffron and cultivation of Medicinal Plants Gonabad, Iran. Hosseini, M. 1997. Effect of foliar fertilization on saffron yield. I.R.O.S.T. Mashad, Centre Iran. Kafi, M., Rashed, M.H., Koocheki, A. and Mollafilabi, A. 2001. Saffron: Technology, cultivation and processing. Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Press. Center of Excellence for Special Crops. Koocheki, A. 2003. Indigenous knowledge in agriculture with particular reference to saffron production in Iran. Acta Hort. 650:175-182. Mollafilabi, A. 2003. Experimental findings of production and ecophysiological aspects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Acta Hort. 650:195-200. Sadeghi, B. 1998. Effect of summer irrigation on saffron yield. I.R.O.S.T. Mashhad Center, Iran. Sadeghi, B., Razavi, M. and Mohajeri, M. 1987. Effect of chemical elements on saffron cultivation improvement. Agricultural Research Centre of Khorasan. Sadeghi, B. and Razavi, M. 1989. Effect of chemical and animal fertilization on leaf production, corm and saffron. Iranian Research Organisationfor Sci and Tech. (I.R.O.S.T), Mashad, Iran. Shahandeh. 1990. Evaluation of chemo-physical characteristics of soil due to saffron yield at Gonabad. Khorasan Park of Science and Industrial Research.
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Tables Table 1. Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on morphological, floral and corm attributes averaged over years. Treatments MoFo M1Fo M2Fo M3 Fo MoF1 M1F1 M2F1 M3F1 MoF2 M1F2 M2F2 M3F2 MoF3 M1F3 M2F3 M3F3 MoF4 M1F4 M2F4 M3F4 CD (0.05) Manure Inorganic manure × inorganic CV (%)
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Plant height
No of leaves
Corm yield/m2
No of corms
33.8 33.8 28.7 33.9 34.1 34.4 35.5 35 33 34.1 34.5 36.8 34.2 34 34.9 34.3 32.9 34 33.5 35.3 1.46 1.19
32.1 28.3 30.6 28.6 29.6 29 27.1 31.3 28 27.2 27 36.5 30.9 30 35.3 31.3 34.4 29.1 33 30.9 1.65 1.20
580 635 675 715 615 720 805 945 770 820 855 945 705 835 880 1000 777.5 892.5 957.5 1047 145 185
1.90
1.95
178
8.95
6.25
Corm weight
320 330 360 400 430 350 360 380 340 360 380 390 375 350 370 390 330 380 390 440 -
1-5 205 215 220 260 290 225 240 250 240 250 230 260 230 240 220 260 210 260 270 260 -
5-10 70 80 85 90 80 85 75 68 65 68 95 75 83 68 83 68 75 65 71 108 -
10-15 45 35 55 50 60 40 45 62 35 42 45 55 62 42 67 62 45 55 49 72 -
-
-
-
-
Number of flowers/plot
Pistil length (cm)
Style length (cm)
Stigma length (cm)
59 188 137 169 146 183 147 203 161 106 181 210 108 175 236 342 107 284 304 345 14.74 16.48
6.15 5.85 6.4 5.65 6.25 6.1 6.2 5.8 6.1 6.25 6.0 6.15 6.35 5.9 6.15 6.2 6.1 6.3 6.3 6.2 0.56 0.60
3.15 2.95 3.35 2.95 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.35 3.25 3.2 3.3 3.05 3.2 3.2 3.15 3.35 3.3 3.25 0.79 0.68
3.0 2.90 3.05 2.70 2.95 2.8 2.90 2.6 3.0 2.90 2.75 2.95 3.05 2.85 2.95 3.0 2.95 2.95 3.0 2.95
32.96
1.7.0
0.51
10.49
8.90
9.10
Table 2. Effect of IPNS on saffron yield over years (2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 20072008). S.No. 1 2 3 4 5
Treatments M0 F0 2.152 F1 2.350 F2 2.558 F3 2.250 F4 1.969 Average 2.255 CD Manures = 0.38 (0.05) Inorganic = 0.42 Manure × Inorganic = 0.85
M1 2.815 2.630 2.336 2.715 3.307 2.760
M2 2.839 3.070 2.799 3.649 4.079 3.287
M3 3.895 3.718 4.359 4.314 4.265 4.110
Average 2.925 2.942 3.013 3.229 3.405
Table 3. Comparative efficiency of organic and inorganic manures over two years. S.No. 1 2 3 4
Treatments Organic (FYM at 350 kg/ha) Inorganic (N:P:K at 30:20:15) Organic + Inorganic Control
Saffron yield (kg/ha) 4.110 3.013 4.359 2.049
% increase 78.62 35.04 91.36
MO = 0 kg/ha; M1 = 150 kg/ha; M2 = 250 kg/ha; M3 = 350 kg/ha F0 = 0; F1 = -15:10:10 (N:P:K, kg/ha); F2 = 30:20:15 (N:P:K, kg/ha); F3 = Urea at 46% F4 = Compound Liquid Fertilizer (12% N, 7% P2O5, K2O, Fe, Zn Chelates) at 7 g/1000 m
Table 4. Cost benefit analysis over 4 years. Input cost over 4 years 8.41
Returns over 4 years (Lakhs) Saffron at Rs Corms at Rs .80 Lakhs/kg 4000/kg 13.92 9.66
Total returns (Rs in Lakhs)
Benefit
B:C ratio
23.58
15.17
1:1.80
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Table 5. Effect of vermicompost on saffron and corm over years. Treatment C1 C2 C3 C4 FYM NPK C1+FYM+NPK C2+FYM+NPK C3+FYM+NPK C4+FYM+NPK FYM+ NPK CD (0.05)
Saffron yield 2005-06 2.48* 2.79* 2.77* 2.11* 1.80 2.08 4.39* 2.23* 1.82 1.88 1.77
2006-07 3.32 3.14 3.39 3.17 3.15 2.87 2.66 3.02 3.07 3.05 3.04
Corm yield
2007-08 4.303 4.535 4.886 3.468 3.375 2.749 3.447 4.324 3.826 3.345 4.367
Average 3.276 3.488 3.682 2.916 2.775 2.566 3.449 3.191 2.905 2.758 3.059 0.73
2005-06 585 917* 865* 778 695 760 920* 585 670 590 680
2006-07 825 705 755 700 635 555 1040 560 620 615 565
Average 705.00 811.00 810.00 739.00 665.00 657.50 980.00 572.50 645.00 602.50 622.50
Table 6. Comparative study of organic and inorganic farming in saffron. Treatment FYM alone NPK alone Vermiculture alone FYM +NPK+ Vermiculture FYM+ NPK
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Saffron yield (kg/ha) 2.775 2.566 3.363 3.059 3.075
% increase ---9.93 ---
Corm yield/m2 665.0 657.50 766.2 700.0 622.50
% increase 6.82 5.54 23.08 ---
