Changes in soil properties and saffron yield under the influence of field age

Abstract

In this study, the effect of saffron field age (2, 3 and 4 years old) was studied on the flower and stigma yields and some soil properties. The experiment was performed with six replications (18 fields), during 2019-2020, under field conditions of pioneer farmers in Torbat-Heydariyeh, Iran. The highest yield of fresh flower and dry stigma (1183 and 14.96 kg ha-1, respectively) were obtained in 4 and 3 years old fields, respectively. In addition, the field age had a significant effect on soil organic matter content, so that, the maximum amount of this trait was observed in 3 and 4 years old fields. The effect of field age was not significant on soil pH, EC, saturation percentage and soil bulk density. Furthermore, the minimum amount of flower and stigma yield and soil organic matter content were obtained in 2 years-old fields. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain saffron fields at least until the fourth year, under the common cultivation methods in the studied area.