Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of precise irrigation strategies on saffron growth, yield and water productivity using a randomised complete block design with nine irrigation treatments and three replications. Treatments included irrigation based on soil moisture deficit at field capacity levels of 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% (FC20, FC30, FC40 and FC50); soil moisture tension thresholds of −20 and −40 kPa (T20 and T40); cumulative reference evapotranspiration over 10 days at 100% and 125% (ET100 and ET125); and a rainfed control representing farmer practice (FP). The number of flowers was highest under FC20 and increased by 44% compared with FP. Flower segment length (Lacha and Mongra) was greater in all irrigated treatments than in FP. Individual fresh and dry stigma weights increased by 40% and 25%, respectively, when irrigation was shifted from FC50 to FC20. Over 2 years, dry stigma yield increased by 46% and 48% under FC20 relative to FP, while irrigation water productivity under FC20 was comparable to that of the other irrigated treatments and did not decline. These results indicate that irrigation scheduled at a 20% soil moisture deficit is an effective strategy for improving saffron yield, maintaining water productivity and increasing resilience to climate variability and drought during the flowering period.