Effect of integrated nutrient management in saffron

A field experiment was conducted on upland soils during the years 2006- 2008 at K.D. Research Station, Old Airport, Srinagar to study the effect of integrated nitrogen management on saffron yield, nutrient content and soil fertility under rainfed conditions. Saffron responded well to organic manure when used in integration with inorganic fertilizers and gave additional yield. The highest saffron yield (2.98 and 4.13 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded with the application of 90 kg N ha⁻¹ in conjunction with 60 t FYM ha⁻¹ which was found at par with 90 kg N ha⁻¹ in conjunction with 30 t FYM ha⁻¹ in 2007–08 while the minimum saffron yield (1.89 and 1.93 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained from control plots during 2006–07 and 2007–08, respectively. The combined application of nitrogenous fertilizer and FYM sustained the productivity even at lower rate of fertilizer N application. The highest N, P and K content was also recorded with the application of 90 kg N ha⁻¹ along with 60 t FYM ha⁻¹. The soil organic carbon, available N, P and K content increased with the application of nitrogenous fertilizer alone or in conjunction with organics (FYM) compared with control.