Agronomic management of saffron (Crocus sativus)-A review

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the costliest spice in the world, known for its colouring and aromatic and medicinal properties. It is witnessing a declining trend in area and productivity in most of the saffron-producing countries. The decline is attributed to the degradation in soil fertility, changing climatic patterns, water stress, increasing labour cost and increasing biotic stress under the changing climate. Since the crop is propagated vegetatively, scope of genetic improvement through breeding techniques is very little. In order to reverse the declining trend in area and productivity, proper implementation of best agronomic practices assumes a very high importance in such a crop. Among the agronomic practices, the quality of corms, planting and establishment methods, balanced fertilization, water management, weed management and post-harvest handling have a profound effect on the productivity and quality of saffron. Mechanization in land preparation, planting, intercultural operations, harvesting and post-harvest processing can reduce the cost of production and increase the net profit. In this review, an attempt has been made to review the best agronomic practices evaluated across the saffron-growing regions of the world and their role in sustainable saffron production.