نشریه پژوهش های زعفران
سال هشتم شماره 2 (پاییز و زمستان 1399)

In order to investigate the effects of chilling stress on saffron plant, a completely randomized design as pot cultivation with four replicates on five ecotypes of saffron including: (Torbat Heydariyeh, Ferdows, Gonabad, Ghaen, Kashmar) was performed. Two temperature conditions 25° C (non-stress conditions) and 5° C (stress conditions) were applied to the ecotypes in the growth chamber (germinator) and twelve morphological traits were measured. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the most studied traits at 1% level. The results of factor analysis showed that three components totally explained 84.6% of the studied traits under non-stress conditions and four components totally explained 86.12% of the studied traits under stress conditions. Cluster analysis under non-stress conditions revealed that Ghaen, Gonabad, Kashmar and Ferdows ecotypes were in the first cluster and Torbat Heydariyeh ecotype in the second cluster. Similarly, Cluster analysis under stress conditions revealed that the Torbat Heydariyeh and Ferdows ecotypes were in the first cluster, the Kashmar and Gonabad ecotypes were in the second cluster, and the Ghaen ecotype was in the third cluster. The discriminant analysis showed a function with Eigenvalue (61.51%) explained 100% of ecotypes variation under non-stress condition while two functions explained 100% of ecotypes variation under stress condition, with only the first function had a specific eigenvalue greater than 1. According to the group membership prediction table, the ecotypes in each of the three groups of dendrogram cuts were correctly divided by 100% probability. It can be concluded that the ecotypes of Torbat-e-Heydariyeh and Ferdows which grouped in one cluster and had the highest biologic yield under chilling conditions can be recommended for cultivation in cold regions.

Present research has been conducted with the aim of farmer awareness about role of saffron research on economical, social and environmental effects and their attitude and willing to application of Saffron research in Khorasan-e-Razavi. Questionnaire is the tool of collecting data that its credibility has been confirmed by experts in Saffron and its reliability by cronbakh α and combined reliability. Then, necessary information was collected by filling questionnaire by 100 Saffron farmers in 2018. Results of structure model of the research shows that farmer awareness from research role in economical, social and environmental effects on their attitude to research application for a positive and significant effect. Variables of awareness about research role in economical, social and environmental effects predicted 22% of the variation in the attitude variable to application of Saffron research and variable of attitude to application of Saffron research, Subjective norm and Control of perceived behavior predicted 61% of the variation in the variable of willing to use of Saffron research.

In order to improve the efficacy of ACCase-inhibitor herbicides using adjuvants in the control of grassy weeds in saffron cultivation, a field study with 3 replications based on a RCBD was conducted during 2016 -2017. Herbicides of haloxyfop-r-methyl, clethodim and cycloxydim (108, 96 and 120 a.i. ha-1 respectively) was investigated when they were tankmixed with and without Spray Plus (0.3% v/v), Ammonium sulphate (2% w/v), Citogate (0.2% v/v) and Humix 99 (0.25% w/v) as well as a control plot with no herbicide application and hand weeding. Weed species Hordeum murinum L. and Hordeum spontaneum C.Koh. respectiveley with relative density 36.71% and 24.05% obtained the highest weed density in the experimental field. Results showed that hand weeding significantly (14 up to 49%) increased the yield of saffron flower and corn. Adding adjuvants to herbicides Between 27 up to 34% increase their efficacy in weed controling. The herbicids were classified from the aspect of decreasing dry weight of grassy weeds and increasing saffron yield in the order of haloxyfop-r-methyl > clethodim > cycloxydim. Spray Plus and Citogate were the best adjuvant to optimize the efficiency of haloxyfop-r-methyl. while Ammonium sulfate and Spray Plus are recommended to improve the efficiency of clethodim and cycloxydim herbicides. Based on the results of experiment, Humix 99 increased the yield of saffron flowers and corms from 1.5 % (mixing with haloxyfop-r-methyl) up 12 % (mixing with cycloxydim), Although this increase was not significant. Mixing Humix 99 with cycloxydim significantly reduced the weeds dry weight up 30%, But but the its effect was not significant on other treatments.

Water quality is important in crop production. This study investigated the effect of five salinity levels1.4 to 9.1 (dS / m)), five levels of bicarbonate from 10 to 60 (mg / lit)) and five levels of irrigation water pH from 7.05 to 8.33 on the yield of stigma and flower yield components of saffron using completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed that, all measured characters of saffron flower yield and yield componentswere significantly affected by pH, EC and bicarbonate. Under the influence of the salinity of irrigation water at level one, most of the measured parameters were at the highest amount. Yield and flower yield components decreased with increasing salinity levels. The number of flowers in the level one of salinity was 2.5 and 7 folds higher than those of the salinity level of two and five, respectively. Likewise, the dry weight of stigma at the salinity level of one was 7.5 folds higher than that of level five. The highest significant effect of water bicarbonate on measured parameters was observed in level of four. Increasing water bicarbonate to level 4 increased the stigma dry weight to 4.03 mg, which were approximately 9 folds higher than that of the level of 5. Also, the effect of irrigation water pH was significant on different pH levels. The maximum dry weight of stigma was observed at pH 7.72 - 8.05 which was 7.5 and 31 folds higher those of level 1 and 5, respectively.Finley, along with soil quality, irrigation water quality is one of the most important inputs involved in decision making saffron fields. The results also showed that yield of stigma and flower components significantly decreased under water quality especially salinity index. Therefore, it is suggested to consider this issue in planning the construction of saffron fields.

Nowadays, the side effects of using synthetic herbicides and fungicides have been identified as one of the most important environmental challenges in the world. Therefore, the use of natural materials with herbicidal and fungicidal power can be considered as an alternative to synthetic compounds. To evaluate the natural allelopatic and fungicidal properties of aqueous leaves and corm extracts of saffron on seed germination, plant growth of common pursalne, and antifungal effects on Penicillium sp, three separated factorial layout were conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications in Seed Research Laboratory, Research Greenhouse and Plant Disease Laboratory of Birjand University of Agriculture during 2019. Experimental treatments in the lab and greenhouse consisted of two types of saffron tissues (leaves and corm) and six concentrations of aqueous saffron extract (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 4% m/v) and antifungal treatments consisted of two types of saffron organs (leaves and corm) and six concentrations of aqueous extract (0, 0.0078, 0.0312, 0.0625, 0.25, 1, 1.5, 2 and 4% m/v). The traits studied in the first experiment included germination percent, germination rate, root length, dry root weight, and dry shoot weight. In the second experiment traits included emergence percentage, fresh and dry weight of shoot and in the third experiment mycelium growth inhibition of Penicillium sp. The results showed that the extract concentrations and types had a significant effects on germination characteristics including germination percent, germination rate, mean germination time, germination, root length, shoot length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight. However the interaction effect of the type and concentration extracts on germination percent, germination rate seed viability and root length was significant. The mean germination time, root length, shoot and root dry weight were decreased up to 52.4%, 71.4%, 81.7% and 79.2%, compared to control at the highest extract concentration.

Saffron planting in a soilless system is considered as a potential method to increase the weight of replacement corms. In this environment, it is possible to obtain replacement corms with the suitable weight from no-flowering small mother corms as well as from corms that have produced flowers in a controlled environment, by improving the physical properties of the planting bed and proper nutrition. In this regard, in a pot research, the effect of mother corm weight (2-4, 4-6, 6-8 and 8-10 g) and superabsorbent application (0 and 4.5 g per pot) was studied on saffron vegetative growth. For this aim, a factorial experiment based on RCBD was carried out at University of Birjand. Transplanting was done in perlite substrate and all pots were kept at open door conditions. The aim of superabsorbent application was to increase the nutrients and water holding capacities in perlite planting bed. The simple and interaction effects of experimental factors were significant (P≤0.01) on most of the traits associated with saffron vegetative growth, such as the number and weight of replacement corms, the weight of the main replacement corm, the number of contractile roots and leaf growth. The growth of leaves and replacement corms improved by increase in mother corms weight. Application of superabsorbent had no positive effect on saffron vegetative growth parameters. The highest values of number of replacement corms and weight of main replacement corm were obtained by planting the large mother corms (5.6 corm per plant and 0.34 g, respectively) and no-application of superabsorbent (3.45 corm and 0.27 g, respectively). The production of contractile roots (about 0.5 roots per replacement corm), early drying of the aerial parts (in mid-March) and no full allocation of mother corm reservoirs to plant vegetative growth, were some of the observations in this experiment. The ...

This research aimed to investigate the effect of planting bed and nitrogen fertilizer levels on growth and yield of saffron. For this work a field experiment was conducted in 2016-17 in research farm of Saffron Institute of University of Torbat Heydarieh. Experimental treatments were performed based on a randomized complete block design as split plot arrangement with three replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of planting bed: soil of without planted saffron in previous years (Control soil) (S1) and soil of planted saffron in previous years (Contaminated soil) (S2) as the main-plots; and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer: no nitrogen (0) (N0), 50 (N50), 100 (N100) and 150 (N150) kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer from urea source as the sub-plots. The research results, which was obtained from the data of the second year, showed that planting bed had significant effect on all measured factors. So that application of contaminated soil led to an decrease in 12.72 percent for leaf length, 27.53 percent for corm weight, 31.88 percent for No. of replacement corms, 40.10 percent for No. of flower, 42.53 percent for flower fresh weigh, 42.88 percent for petal fresh weight, 40.01 percent for petal dry weight, 18.71 percent for stamen fresh weight, 26.40 percent for stamen dry weight, 43.41 percent for stigma fresh weight and 56.04 percent for stigma dry weight in compare with control soil. Effect of different nitrogen fertilizer levels was significant on all measured factors. So that consumption of 150 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer led to increasing amounts of all measured factors. However for saffron reproductive factors such as flower fresh weigh, petal fresh and dry weight, stamen fresh and dry weight, stigma fresh and dry weight wasn’t seen any significant different between treatment of 150 and 100 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer.

Saffron is one of the most valuable spices and medicinal plants with a great economic value. Saffron corms sorting based on the size is one of the most important production processes which is effective on the crop yield. This research was conducted during 2019 and 2020 with the aim of identification and prioritization of the appropriate technologies in Iran for sorting the saffron corms.The information and technical specifications of the sorters were collected and checked.Appropriate technologies were identified through survey and specialized visits.Comparison criteria were also determined.The options belonged to three companies: ‘Nardis’,‘Red Gold of Iranian Golshid’ and ‘Seifi Industrial Group’.The criteria included ‘Capacity’,‘Accuracy’,‘Ease of use’,‘Portability’,‘Number of categories’,‘Sorted corms quality’, ‘Multitasking’,‘Losses’,‘Number of operators’,‘Price’,‘Power’ and ‘Maintenance cost’.To prioritize the options and select the most appropriate technology, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighting of the criteria and options were used in Expert Choice software.The criteria were given value based on the opinions of 20 experts with completing the questionnaire.Results indicated that ‘Losses’ and ‘Sorted corms quality’ were the most effective criteria with relative weights of 0.14 and 0.135, respectively.Moreover, ‘Portability’ was the least effective criteria to select the appropriate technology for saffron corms sorting with relative weight of 0.045 (Inconsistency=0.01).Performance sensitivity analysis showed that ‘Nardis’ sorter is preferable to the other two sorters in terms of ‘Number of operators’,‘Price’ and ‘Power’.Moreover, ‘Red Gold of Iranian Golshid’ sorter is preferable to the other two sorters in terms of ‘Capacity’ and ‘Multitasking’. ‘Seifi Industrial Group’ sorter is superior to the other two sorters in terms of ‘Accuracy’,‘Ease of use’,‘Portability’,‘Number of categories’,‘Losses’ and ‘Maintenance cost’.Based on synthesis results, ‘Seifi Industrial Group’ sorter based on divergent rollers technique was introduced as the most appropriate technology for saffron corm sorting.

The implementation of sustainable farming systems is essential for ensuring long-term food supply. One of the most important agricultural products produced in Iran is saffron, which is the main source of income for many villagers in the east of the country. Therefore, attention must be paid to the sustainable saffron cultivation in main saffron production regions. The present study was conducted with the aim of measuring the ecological sustainability of saffron farms in Gonabad county and identifying the socio-economic factors affecting it in 2020. The data collection tool was a questionnaire and 193 questionnaires were completed based on simple random sampling procedure. In order to achieve the research objectives, first, ecological sustainability of farms was evaluated based on 12 criteria and using TOPSIS method. Subsequently, an ordered logit model was carried out to determine the factors affecting farm sustainability. Study findings reveal that perception towards sustainable agriculture, age, income and education, as well as having agricultural insurance and pursuing agriculture as the main job, have positive and significant effect on the probability of saffron farmers to be in more sustainable groups. Training courses, by contrast, has a negative effect on this probability, however, it is not significant at the desired statistical probability level. Therefore, improving farmers' perception towards sustainable agriculture, using the experiences of older farmers, financially supporting saffron growers in order to provide the required inputs, and a fundamental revision of the content of training courses can be considered as strategies to enhance the ecological sustainability of this valuable spice.

In this study, 400 fertile eggs of Ross 308 were used in the compeletly randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates (25 eggs in each replicate). Treatments were non-injected (control group), injected with 0.1 ml deionized water, injected with 0.1 ml crocin %20 and injected with 0.1 ml crocin %40 (in 11 days incubation). In ovo injection of crocin %40 increased hatchability percent and body weight of hatched chicks in comparison to the other treatmenrs. There was significant difference between plasma glutathione peroxidase enzyme in broilers injected by crocin and control group, and total antioxidant capacity significantly improved at 1 day old. There was no effect of crocin on lipid metabolism, however cholesterol significantly decreased.

Due to the sensitivity of saffron yield and its effect on climatic parameters and nonlinear properties of plant functions, in this research, saffron yield prediction was considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the support vector machine simulation model (lssvm) and genome genotype programming model (GenXproTools5.0) to predict saffron yield based on meteorological data (minimum temperature, maximum temperature, precipitation, evaporation and relative humidity, Performance one year ago) on a seasonal scale between 1992 and 2006. The best model was selected based on R2, RMSE and MAE assessment criteria. The results showed that in both scenarios, in the H scenario (average winter temperature, mean precipitation in autumn, winter rainfall average, winter evaporation average, yield one year ago), better results were obtained from saffron yield. In the LSSVM model, combinations with the Liner kernel function had more accurate results. But between lssvm model and GEP model, GEP model had higher R2 and lower RMSE and MAE. The R2, RMSE and MAE ratios in this model under the H-scenario in education section were 0.60688, 0.43265 and 0.46432 respectively. In general, the GEP model had more accurate results in saffron yield estimates than the LSSVM model.

In order to investigate the effect of salicylic acid on reduction of the effects of salinity stress in saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted in Torbat Heydarieh during 2015-2017. The experiments were performed as split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of salinity stress levels at four levels in the main plots: a1 (1.5 ds.m-1), a2 (3 ds.m-1), a3 (6 ds.m-1), a4 (9 ds.m-1) and the sub plots of salicylic acid in four levels including b1 (zero (control)), b2 (0.4mM), b3 (0.8mM), b4 (1.2mM). Results showed that in the highest salinity level (9 ds.m-1), application of appropriate concentration of salicylic acid increased leaf number and leaf length by 3 and 20% in first year and 20 and 32% in second year , respectively. Also, with the application of salicylic acid, leaf sodium content decreased by 40% and Leaf potassium content increased by 38% in second year. According to the results, salicylic acid caused balances in glucose and proline content, decrease of Na absorption, prevent disorders of K absorption and enhanced RWC leaves. At the highest salinity level salicylic acid application caused a 20% increase in total chlorophyll compared to control in second year. In the case of stigma yield, application of 0.8 mM salicylic acid at 6 and 9 ds/m salinity increased dry stigma yield (1.12 and 2.45 Kg/ha respectively)by 81% and 118%, respectively. Therefore we can suggested that application of 0.8 mM salicylic acid in salinity stress conditions in order to enhance stigma yield and saffron growth and decrease negative effects of salinity.