Saffron yield and corm production as influenced by integrated nitrogen management

The effect of INM on yield and corm production was conducted in a field experiment, using a complete randomized block design, at Dryland (Karewa) Agriculture Research Station, Budgam, Kashmir. The levels of fertilizers applied were 0, 45 and 90 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen; 0, 30 and 60 t ha⁻¹ of farm yard manure along with Azotobactor (0 and 5 kg ha-1) and were replicated thrice. From the pooled data pertaining to yield and corm production, it was evident that nitrogen application at different dosages alone, significantly increased the yield and corm production. The highest saffron yield of 3.64 and 3.51 kg ha⁻¹ was observed when nitrogen was applied at 90 kg ha⁻¹ and FYM at 60 t ha⁻¹. The increase over their respective controls (2.31 and 2.45 kg ha⁻¹) was 57.57 and 43.26 percent, respectively. The maximum corm production was observed with the application of nitrogen at 90 kg ha⁻¹ (102.60 q. ha⁻¹) and FYM at 60 t ha⁻¹ (131.02 q. ha⁻¹), respectively, with the corresponding increase of 79.62 and 260.97 per cent over their respective controls. Bio-fertilizer application in the form of viable strain of Azotobacter significantly increased corm production only. The relative economics revealed that the highest net returns (Rs 5.56 lakh ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were obtained with the treatment combination of nitrogen at 90 kg ha⁻¹, FYM at 60 t ha⁻¹ with Azotobactor followed by nitrogen at 90 kg ha⁻¹, FYM at 60 t ha⁻¹ (Rs 5.20 lakh ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) without Azotobactor.