Effect of nano-silver on root and bud growth of saffron in flooding stress condition

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is cultivated as spices، medicinal and aromatic plant species. At autumn season، heavy rainfall can cause flooding stress and inhibits growth of saffron. Thus this research was conducted to study the effect of silver ion (as an ethylene inhibitor) on growth of saffron under flooding conditions. The corms of saffron were soaked with one concentration of nano silver (0، 40، 80 or 120 ppm) and then planting under flooding stress and non flooding stress conditions. Results showed that number of roots، root length، root fresh and dry weight، leaves fresh and dry weight were reduced by 10 day flooding stress. Soaking saffron corms with 40 or 80 ppm concentration of nano silver rewarded the effect of flooding stress on the root number، by increasing it. Furthermore، 40 ppm of nano silver increased root length in stress. Nano silver 80 ppm in flooding stress، increased leaves dry weight.