Annex White book.pdf

not use any fertilizers at all. Generally, natural manure is avoided --exceptfor organic cultivation- in order to avoid migration of weed grain.A1.3.5.2 FertilizersSadeghi et al (1992) carried out many surveys comparing the effectsof various manure mixtures with nitrogen, phosphor and potashin saffron cultivation. They came to the conclusion that nitrogen has themost important effect on flowering rates and vegetation duration. On thecontrary, phosphor and potash supplements show no significant effects.Regarding the need for secondary elements like calcium and sulfur ortrace elements like iron, no reliable information on quantities, is available.In Castile-La Mancha, the most common fertilizers among cultivators,are mixtures of ammonium, potassium sulphate and ammoniumnitrate.A1.3.5.3 Fertilizer dosageIn the province of Albacete, the following annual dosage of mineralfertilizer is applied: 40-50 UF nitrate in form of potassium nitrate (21%),80-100 UF P2O2 in form of superphosphate potash (18% P2O2) and100-200 UF K2O in form of potassium shulphate (60% K2O).According to Sadeghi et al (1992), fertilizing with 100 kg urea perhectare increases flowering efficiency.In Western Macedonia, the recommended chemical fertilizing usedis a mixture of N-P-K according to the formulas of 100 kg per hectare(11N-15P-15K) + 20 kg per hectare (0N-0P-5K).A1.3.5.4 Fertilizing seasonManure and mineral fertilizers are applied in the soil at about threemonths before planting. During the second cultivation year as well asduring following years, fertilizing occurs 20 to 30 days before flowering,depending on rainfall during May (Perez, 1995).A1.3.5.5 Fertilizing techniquesThe incorporation of the organic fertilizer takes place directly afterit has been spread on the field. Covering should not be accompanied byturning, because such combination could lead to ammonium nitrate lossthrough evaporation. The fertilizer should be spread out equally over thecultivation and in layers of similar thickness, i.e. 12 and 15 cm.106