Effects of Methanol and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Quantitative and Qualitative Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus. L) under Rainfed and Irrigated Cultivation

This study used a two-way randomized complete block design with three replications to investigate the effects of methanol spray and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron ( Crocus sativus L) in rainfed and irrigated cultivation in northern Iran in 2020 and 2021. The cultivated saffrons were exposed to rainfed and irrigated conditions, and four levels of ammonium sulfate fertilizer (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg/ha) and three levels of methanol spray (0%, 5%, and 10%) were investigated. The results showed that the studied traits were better in the first year than in the second year. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer increased the number of buds, bloomed flowers, flower weight, number and area of leaves, and dry weight of stigma and stigma. Methanol spray and nitrogen fertilizer application in irrigated lands increased the number of buds and leaves, but had no effect in rainfed lands. The highest number of flowers bloomed in the first (101.6) and second (106) years was observed in irrigated fields with 90 kg of nitrogen fertilizer and without methanol spray. Irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer positively affected the dry weight of stigma and stigma. Also, irrigation with different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and methanol spray in irrigated fields increased the number and weight of successor buds. The findings indicate that saffron cultivation in northern Iran requires effective agricultural management and irrigation in September, October and November along with 90 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare is recommended to achieve optimal yield.