Effect of Different Animal Manure on Flower Yield and Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Forage Production of Saffron (Crocus sativus) in Mashhad Conditions

In order to understand the effects of different organic and chemical fertilizer on stigma yield and leaf dry matter yield, in vitro dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility and Digestible-value of Crocus sativus leaves, an experiment was conducted at Experimental station, College of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in years 2005-2006. Four different fertilizer including cow manure (20, 40, 60 t/ha), sheep manure (20, 30, 40 t/ha), hen manure (5, 10, 15 t/ha) and chemical fertilizer (50-250 Kg/ha N-P205, 100-250 Kg/ha N-P205 , 300-250 Kg/ha N-P205) were compared in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that there were significant differences between different fertilizer treatments in terms of fresh flower yield and fresh and dry stigma yield. Dry and fresh stigma yield, fresh flower yield were higher at lower amount of fertilizer in each treatment except in cow manure. Fresh and dry leaf yield were significantly influenced by different fertilizer treatments. There were no significant differences between different fertilizer treatment in terms of In vitro dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility and D-value. Different fertilizer treatments had a significant effect on dry matter digestible yield.

Keywords:

crop density , dry matter , digestibility , yield