Investigating the use of different levels of Mycorrhiza and Vermicompost on quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Abstract

In order to investigate saffron (Crocus sativus. L) stigma, flower and leaf quantitative and qualitative characteristics under the effect of different vermicompost and mycorrhiza levels, researchers conducted a factorial experiment in the completely randomized design with three replications in the research farm of the agricultural faculty of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2017–2018. The investigated factors included vermicompost in four levels (0, 8000, 16,000 and 24,000 kg ha-1) and inoculation with mycorrhiza in four levels (0, 7.5, 10 and 15 g for every planting location) (in every planting location two corms with the same weight (7.5 ± 0.5 g) were planted). Results indicated significant effect of vermicompost on the leaf area and dry weight, crocin and picrocrocin in both years. Likewise, leaf dry weight and leaf area were significantly affected by mycorrhiza in both years. The interaction effect of vermicompost fertilizer and mycorrhiza was significant on the traits of leaf components comprising: leaf area in the first year and flower number, chlorophyll ‘a’, ‘b’ and total chlorophyll in the second year. Results also indicated that the maximum number of the saffron flower in the first year was obtained from the treatment of 24,000 kg ha-1 vermicompost (3.23 flowers per square meter) and 10 g mycorrhiza fertilizer treatment for every planting location (3.45 flowers per square meter). The maximum number of the saffron flower in the second year was obtained from the treatment of 24,000 kg ha-1 vermicompost (77.25 flowers per square meter) and 10 g mycorrhiza fertilizer treatment for every planting location (84.41 flowers per square meter). Also using 10 g mycorrhiza for every planting location in the second year enhanced the stigmas dry yield by 46.21 % compared with the control. Likewise, 10 g mycorrhiza for every planting location enhanced the dry weight of one-plant leaves by 137.5 % compared with the control. On the same way, the application of 24,000 kg ha-1 enhanced the leaf dry weight by 41.66 % compared with the control. Totally, the mycorrhiza inoculation in the level of 10 g for every planting location along with vermicompost fertilizer application by 24,000 kg ha-1 significantly increased saffron traits especially quantitative characteristics. By using 10 g mycorrhiza for each planting place (5 cm × 5 cm) in the second year, the saffron stigma yield was 3.498 kg per hectare in this treatment, which revealed 46.21 % increase compared with the control.