author(s)
Abroo Ali and GA Bhat

abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has a significant place in agricultural economy of Kashmir, but it has remained under exploited and unrefined and needs to be managed to increase and sustain its yield. This study assessed the diversity and composition of macrofauna and effect of intercropping on the same. Macro fauna was sampled in transects, for which the ideal size was 40 x 4m in accordance to Anderson and Ingram (1993) ^[4]. During the study a total of 33 taxa, belonging to 19 families, 9 orders, 5 classes and 2 phyla were recorded. Amid the entire developing season, Shannon wiener index of 0.99 ± 0.05 was recorded for the macro faunal community of the study area. The area was found to be more diverse in terms of genera belonging to order Coleoptera with a diversity index of 0.76 ± 0.13. Results additionally pointed almond intercropping in saffron field did not conspicuously affect the diversity and the composition of soil macrofauna. As no examination in such manner has been directed, it will go about as basic and standard information for future investigations to help decision makers and managers to take wise choices while dealing the saffron agro frameworks, to maintain them.