The Effect of Chemical and Bio-fertilizer Source of Nitrogen on Qualitative and Quantitative Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Background: Biofertilizers are an alternative to mineral fertilizers for increasing soil productivity and plant growth in sustainable agriculture. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the effects of biofertilizers on valuable medicinal plants such as saffron. Objective: To determine the effects of chemical and bio-fertilizer nitrogen on quantitative yield and some quality components of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Methods: This study has been conducted in Absard region, north of Tehran, Iran along 2006-2008 in a randomized complete block design with three replications and four fertilizer treatments. The treatments were n1 (Control or no applying nitrogen fertilizer), n2 (150 kg/ha nitrogen as urea), n3 (5 kg/ha bio-fertilizer as Nitroxine) and n4 (a mixture of 2.5 kg/ha bio-fertilizer as Nitroxine + 75 kg/ha nitrogen as urea). Results: The results showed that fertilizer treatments had significant effects (p