Comparative yield gaps, weather impact and constraint analysis in saffron heritage site of Pampore Kashmir India

This paper aimed to develop an ideal twelve-month weather module ensuring stable production based on congenial average weather data observed at different development stages. Descriptive statistics revealed that mean saffron yield obtained during 2023, 2022, and 2013 (26.7 g/50 m2) designated as excellent yielders were significantly different from 2017, 2014 designated as poor yielders (6.7 g/50 m2). Excess or deficit precipitation was responsible for saffron production loss, resulting in hormonal crosstalk leading to flower abortion or forced sub-hysteranthus characteristics of saffron. Saffron yield depended not only on the quantity of available water but also on the time of availability. For best flower yields, the crop should receive 40