The fiber in the pollinated part of the bloom of the plant Crocus sativus is utilized as a flavor called saffron. It develops to a tallness of 15 to 20 cm. Its starting point in Europe, it additionally fills in the Mediterranean nations of Spain, Austria, France, Greece, England, Iran, and Turkey. In India, it is broadly developed in Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
Development Practices for saffron:
Soil explicitness is a higher priority than environment in saffron development. The plant flourishes in subtropical areas. Can grow up to 2000 m above ocean level. Requires 12 hours of daylight. Low temperature and high moistness can fundamentally influence the development of blossoms.
Great wet soil is required. The pH worth ought to be somewhere in the range of 6 and 8. The mud ought to be stayed away from for development. Planting material and development strategy Tubers are utilized for planting. The tubers have an adjusted shape and long strands. While planting soil ought to be advanced with natural excrement. The best an ideal opportunity to plant saffron is from June to September. Blooming starts in October. The fundamental phases of development are throughout the colder time of year. The forgets about dry in May. Tubers are planted at a profundity of 12 to 15 cm. There ought to be a distance of 12 cm between each plant.
Water system isn’t needed. Watering ought to be finished during dry season and summer. In the wake of planting, the tubers develop from one to five of every three years. Mulching will control weeds. The individuals who develop a space of one hectare should add 35 tons of compost to the dirt before development and furrow. It requires 20 kg of nitrogen, 30 kg of potash, and 80 kg of phosphorus every year. It is given multiple times. Compost is applied following blooming. Illnesses influencing saffron incorporate Fusarium, Rhizoctonia crocorum (Violet root decay). The blossoms are culled promptly toward the beginning of the day and the red filaments are isolated and refined.
Post-Harvest Practices:
Saffron is ready available to be purchased by drying for 15 minutes at a temperature of 45 C to 60 degrees Celsius in a dryer utilized for drying very much ventilated food. Saffron has no taste following culling. Dried saffron can be put away in a sealed shut holder for as long as a month. One gram of dried saffron requires 150 to 160 blossoms. In the main year of planting, 60 to 65% of the tubers will deliver one blossom. In ensuing years the plant will deliver two blossoms from every tuber.
Conclusion
Saffron is the most costly plant found on the planet. Being so costly, it is additionally called red gold. Development of saffron is exceptionally simple and basic. Saffron crop doesn’t need a lot of difficult work. Additionally, its reap period is likewise 3 – 4 months and it can develop upto 15-20 cm in tallness. Its costs are additionally expanding step by step, through which ranchers can acquire great benefit.