Effect of biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on generative growth and yield of saffron under high corn densityAn experiment was conducted under field condition to verify the potential of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production, a bulbous perennial of Iridaceae family, with application of biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer under high corm density, during the years of 2007 and 2008. A complete randomized block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications was used. Treatments included Nitroxin biofertilizer (a mixture of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azospirillum sp. / Azotobacter sp.), Dalfard fertilizer (a commercialized saffron fertilizer with 12% N from Urea and Nitrate sources, 8% P, 4% K and also Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, chelates) and control with five corm density (4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 t ha-1). Results indicated that in general, saffron plants performed better with application of Dalfard. Application of Dalfard increased number of flowers per unit area, dried flower and stigma yield of saffron plants nearly 3 times in comparison with Nitroxin. There was also, a decreasing trend in plant criteria evaluated with increasing corm density from 8 t ha-1. However, in the second year of experiment, the interaction between fertilizer and corm density significantly increased number of flowers per unit area and also dried flower and stigma yield. Application of Dalfard fertilizer with corm density of 4 and 8 t ha-1 showed a considerable positive effect on plant criteria compared with Nitroxin. Preliminary results showed that Nitroxin was not effective for saffron. However additional and long term experiments are needed to determine the effectiveness of biofertilizer for this plant.

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