Combating the Effects of Salinity on Saffron (Crocus sativus.) Performance and Growth with Nano-sized Cow Manure Fertilizers

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and natural resources, and Researcher, Saffron Institute, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

2 Saffron Institute, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

Abstract

Iran's agricultural landscape confronts significant challenges from excessive groundwater extraction, leading to escalating salinity levels that threaten saffron yield. This study investigates the effectiveness of nano-sized cattle manure fertilizers in mitigating salinity stress in saffron cultivation. Nano-sized particles (mean diameter 45 ± 5 nm, >90% particles below 100 nm) were produced using ball milling and characterized through scanning electron microscopy and particle size distribution analysis. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replications (n=36, α=0.05, power=0.85), testing four irrigation water salinity levels (freshwater, 1.75, 3.5, and 5 mS cm⁻¹) and three fertilizer treatments (nano-sized cattle manure, conventional cattle manure, and control) in field conditions at Torbat Heydarieh County, Iran during 2019-2020 growing seasons. Results indicate that higher irrigation water salinity reduces saffron yield by 39% while incorporating cattle manure fertilizers results in a 27% increase, and nano-fertilizer applications enhance yield by 51.8% (p<0.01). Furthermore, both treatments improve electrical conductivity thresholds by 18.5% and 43%, respectively, and significantly reduce soil bulk density by 23% and 31%, respectively (p < 0.01). The nano-sizing process reduced fertilizer half-life from 34 to 9 weeks, enabling more efficient nutrient availability [34]. Cost-benefit analysis indicates a 2.3-fold return on investment for nano-fertilizer application compared to conventional methods, despite higher initial costs. While long-term environmental impacts require further investigation, this study advocates for adopting nano-sized cattle manure fertilizers as a sustainable and economically viable approach to address the challenges posed by salinity in saffron cultivation, particularly in regions facing increasing groundwater salinity issues.

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-Products

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 February 2025

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