A great consideration has been paid in recent years to agricultural land management and soil properties for sustainable use. Farm management can influence organic material deposit in the soil which in turn affects plant residue degradability. In arid and semi arid zones management topics such organic materials, soil pH control, soil structure rapture, macro and micro elements absorption by plants are of great importance due to low rate of rainfall and soil fertility. Saffron is a native plant in eastern part of Iran . It was estimated that the area of saffron growing to be 23000 ha in 1996 over central and southern Khorasan provinces. Saffron is a perennial plant which can grow up to 5-7 years through its corms. Annually animal fertilizer is added to the soil up to approximately 20-30 ton/ha. Soil handling is at the minimum level. In contrast to most plant, saffron grows in autumn and winter seasons. So there is no need to irrigate the soil due to saffron summer hibernation. The main aim of the present research was to evaluate physical and chemical properties of soil in saffron farms over a seven year period. 50 ha saffron farms were selected from Gezic region. Soil sampling were conducted from the farms (with 1 to 7 years growing background) including eight replicates. In the samples, organic material percentage, soil POM, saturated paste pH, MWD, FC, PWP, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, micro elements including Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co which were extractable with DTPA, were measured. The comparison among the farms revealed that organic materials increased over the growing years. There was no significant increase for POM over the growing years. Soil pH for 7-year farms was lower than 1-year farms. The MWD, FC and PWP were greater for 7-year farms as compared to 1-year farms. The available phosphorus and other micro elements were higher in older farms. It can therefore be concluded that soil physical and chemical properties improved in saffron farms over the growing years. Key Words: Saffron, Soil management, alfalfa, organic matter
