Extraction and Isolation of Three Genes of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) such as AREB, DREB and MPK to Drought Resistance

Among environmental stresses, drought stress is one of the main constraints for agriculture around the world. To reduce the effects of environmental stresses, it is important to find genotypes that have genes and desirable traits in this field. To this end, one of the most important research objectives is to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with drought resistance in plants. With recent advances in molecular genetics, hundreds of genes that are induced by stress have been identified and used as gene candidates for genetic engineering. Saffron is a plant that grows in arid and semi-arid regions, and unlike many plants, it is a heroine with a different heat regime. The presence of numerous genes to deal with drought stress limitations in this plant can be investigated. By recognizing the genes involved in creating drought stress resistance and selecting suitable native varieties, saffron can produce relatively similar crops in most areas with different climatic conditions. In this study, the presence of AREB, DREB and MPK genes in saffron was proved for the first time. The pattern of expression of these key genes was investigated using Real Time-PCR technique in different organs of saffron plant.