Hurdles and clarifications for the cultivation of saffron in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Since saffron is a triploid crop, it does not generate seed when selfed or crossed and is passed down through the generations by daughter corms produced from the mother corms. As a result, agro-technology development is the only viable alternative for bringing this crop to its full potential. Saffron does not have any specific habitat preferences, as evidenced by discovering numerous previously unknown saffron farmed areas during the current study. The plant grows as a mixed crop under apple ( Malus domestica Borkh ), almond (Prunus amygdalus Batsch.), populus ( Populus alba L.), and walnut ( Juglans regia L.) trees, as well as in plains, undulated soils, hills, and rice fields. It can be found growing between 1585 and 2050 m above sea level. Different agro-techniques were standardized, among which compost soil (compost 250 gms per pot with 2 kgs of soil; 500 gms per tray with 4 kgs of soil; 10 kgs per bed) was found to be best for early flower production. Soil and farmyard manure (1:3), UDP 0.25 gms/pot (N-115.511+ K130.952+P-58.496 mg), soil DAP 650 mg/2 kg of soil (@P = 152.0899 mg), soil MOP 350 mg/2 kg (@ K = 183.37 mg) of soil was preeminent of procured in vitro raised cormlets in terms of their sprouting and survival of shoots. Corm density was also checked in the offseason of the crop, with growth activity of only saffron corms. Significant negative correlation was recorded with r = 0.82; n = 100; P ≤ 0.001. But the reverse trend was observed in the crop's growing season when most de-weeding and field preparations are accomplished. The study will benefit people in near future as it emphasized the imperative proofs and picture of saffron cultivation in Kashmir valley, reflects the realities of saffron cultivation and trounces the earlier myths. • Saffron is a triploid crop, hence fails to produce seed upon selfing or crossing. It is propagated by daughter corms produced from the mother corms. • Some unfamiliar saffron cultivated sites have also been located. • It grows along an altitudinal gradient of 1585–2050 m asl. i.e. from Nehama (1585 m) Budgam to Buzgow (2050 m)- Nilnag- Gogipathri. • Different agro-techniques were standardized and compost soil (Compost 250 gms per pot with 2 kgs of soil; 500 gms per tray with 4 kgs of soil; 10 kgs per bed) was found to be best with respect to early flower production. • Soil and farm yard manure 1:3, UDP 0.25 gms/pot (N-115.511+ K130.952+P-58.496 mg), soil DAP 650mg/2 kg of soil (@P = 152.0899 mg), soil MOP 350mg/2 kg (@ K = 183.37 mg) of soil was preeminent of procured invitro raised cormlets in terms of their sprouting and survival of shoots up to the second year of their growth period. • Knowledge of weed characteristics, morphology, ontogeny, nature of competition and degree of association with crops are pre-requisite for suggesting some efficient weed control measures. • The data on weeds revealed that most weed species belongs to three families with dominant family Asteraceae, followed by Brasicaceae, Fabaceace and Lamiaceae. • Corm density was checked in off season of the crop, with growth activity of only saffron corms, significant negative correlation was recorded with r = 0.82; n = 100; P ≤ 0.001. But reverse trend was observed in growth season of the crop when most de-weeding and field preparations are going on.