Effect of silver nanoparticles and corm weight on physiological and morphological traits of saffron (Crocus Sativus) under Sistan climatic conditions

In order to survey the effect of silver nano-silver particles and weight of corm on physiological and morphological features of Crocus Sativus under climatic conditions in the area of Systan, an experiment was carried out based on a factorial randomized complete base-blocks design with three repetitions using two different weights of Crocus Sativus corm (more and less than 8 g) and two different concentrations of nano-silver treatment (zero and 50 ppm) in Dadi village located in Teymourabad district of Hamoun province during two consecutive years 2014-2016. Findings indicated that the treatment with nano-silver particles (AgNPs) had a significant effect on the morphological and physiological properties during the both study years and increased all traits under study as compared with the control. Moreover, the treatment including corm weight more than 8 g had significant effects on all properties under study during these two years. The results of analysis of the quantitative traits and color in saffron, which was done by HPLC method, showed that flavonoids, flavor, and odor of saffron in the sample soaked in the Ag Nanoparticles' solution remarkably increased in comparison with the control. Comparisons also indicated that the samples weighing more than 8 grams had a more significant increasing rate of the traits compared with the lighter samples. The results of the present study also showed that under hot and dry conditions and if the saffron corms with optimal size are exposed to suitable concentrations of Ag nanoparticle solution, increased qualitative and quantitative traits is observed, and this can even lead to improved economical properties in the plant.