Agriculture
fatemeh Hassanzadeh Aval; Parviz Rezvani moghaddam; Mohammad Bannayan aval; Reza Khorasani
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of different maternal corm weight and different levels of cow manure on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2011- 2012 and 2012- 2013 growing seasons. For this ...
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In order to investigate the effects of different maternal corm weight and different levels of cow manure on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2011- 2012 and 2012- 2013 growing seasons. For this purpose a factorial experiment was used based on complete randomized block design with three replications and 16 treatments. The experimental treatments were done at 4 levels of maternal corm weight (1.1- 3, 3.1- 5, 5.1- 7 and 7.1- 9 g) and 4 levels of cow manure (0, 20, 40 and 60 t.ha-1). Variance analysis results for studied characteristics of saffron corm showed that maternal corm weight, cow manure and maternal corm weight × cow manure had significant effects on these characteristics. Among the experimental treatments, maternal corm with 7.1- 9 g weight and the use rate of 60 t.ha-1 of cow manure treatment had both the highest total corm number (510 corm.m-2) and corm yield (1044 g.m-2). It seems that the corms with higher weight in the first year produce larger number of replacement corm than the corms with lower weight. The saffron flower yield characteristics showed that flower yield in the first year increased by increasing the maternal corm weight. The results of variance analysis of the number of flowers and fresh and dry yield of flower and stigma of saffron in the second year showed that the maternal corm weight, cow manure and maternal corm weight × cow manure had significant effects on them. These characteristics increased by increasing the maternal corm weight and levels of cow manure. It seems that producing replacement corm with high weight in the first year, requires large amount of maternal corm and high levels of cow manure usage.
Agriculture
Hamid-reza Fallahi; Alijan Salariyan
Abstract
This descriptive research was conducted as interviews using 125 questionnaires among the saffron farmers of Torbat-Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2020-2021. The aim of this study was to compare the most important agronomic operations related to saffron cultivation among three groups of farmers (ordinary, skilled ...
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This descriptive research was conducted as interviews using 125 questionnaires among the saffron farmers of Torbat-Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2020-2021. The aim of this study was to compare the most important agronomic operations related to saffron cultivation among three groups of farmers (ordinary, skilled and leading farmers), and to compare the methods used by the farmers with the recommendations of saffron researchers. The classification of farmers into the three mentioned groups was based on the stigma yield in relation to the field age. Before the research, the validity of the questionnaire was confirmed and its reliability was also determined using the test-retest method. The results showed that against 15% of leading farmers, none of the ordinary and skilled farmers had agricultural education. The average education of ordinary, skilled and leading farmers were 7.1, 7.5 and 10.9 years, respectively. Corm planting date of the highest number of ordinary and skilled farmers (46.2% and 35.7%, respectively) was in September, while for the leading farmers (37.5%) was in June. The average amounts of corm application by ordinary, skilled and leading farmers was 8.9, 8.9 and 10.5 ton ha-1, respectively, and the average amount recommended by researchers was 10.4 ton ha-1. All the saffron researchers recommended the corm row planting method, which is accordance with the 30, 43.1 and 44.4% procedures of ordinary, skilled and leading farmers, respectively. The minimum corm weight recommended by researchers was 8 g, which is applied by 18.7% of ordinary farmers, 25% of skilled farmers and 100% of leading farmers. Hand weeding was the most common method of weeds control among all farmers. Contrary to the recommendation of most researchers to remain saffron leaves as mulch, the leaves are mainly used as animal feed. The appropriate field age according to researcher’s recommendation was 5-6 years, while most of the farmers use the field for 7-8 years after each planting time. In general, the low level of knowledge, mass planting method (several corms in each planting point), planting of small mother corms, inappropriate planting date and long-term exploitation of the fields were the most important cases of improper field management, especially by ordinary farmers.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Jalal Ghanbari; Gholamreza Khajoei-Nejad
Abstract
Modifications in saffron quality characteristics due to storage time between samples harvested from two consecutive years have not been studied well. For this purpose, saffron samples harvested from 2016 and 2017 were analyzed using proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) ...
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Modifications in saffron quality characteristics due to storage time between samples harvested from two consecutive years have not been studied well. For this purpose, saffron samples harvested from 2016 and 2017 were analyzed using proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) and ISO 3632 trade standard procedures to determine volatile compounds as well as crocin and picrocrocin contents, respectively. The results of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis revealed that 11 main compounds including safranal, acetic acid, 2(5H)-furanone, isobutanal, biogenic aldehyde fragment, 4-ketoisophorone, acetaldehyde, butyrolactone, acetone/propanal, methanol, and isophorone were responsible for the overall VOCs profile of saffron, as accounted for more than 80% of the identified VOCs. Comparisons between samples stored from two years showed that safranal, acetic acid, 2(5H)-furanone, biogenic aldehyde fragment, and butyrolactone compounds were significantly increased for samples stored from 2016 (between 56-82 percent) compared with the samples obtained from 2017. On the contrary, isophorone isomers contents as safranal precursors, decreased their contents relatively. Similarly, crocin and picrocrocin contents measured by ISO method differed significantly between samples of two studied years. For all the studied samples, color and flavor factors of saffron reduced by 20 and 14% on the average for samples stored from 2016 in comparison with amples obtained from 2017, respectively. According to results of principal component analysis, change in crocin, picrocrocin, and main volatile compounds of saffron including safranal, acetic acid, 2(5H)-furanone, isobutanal, and isophorone could be considered as an indicator for distinguishing the current year’s harvested samples from the samples stored since previous years.
Other subject about saffron
Ghorban Ali Asadi; Surur Khorramdel; Mohammad Hasan Hatefi Farajian
Abstract
In order to study the effect of additive intercropping series of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) with saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on their growth criteria and yield, a field experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty ...
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In order to study the effect of additive intercropping series of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) with saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on their growth criteria and yield, a field experiment was done based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during two growing seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The treatment included 100% saffron+20%chickpea, 100% saffron+40%chickpea, 100% saffron+60%chickpea, 100% saffron+80%chickpea, 100% saffron+100% chickpea and their monoculture. The trait studied were plant height, yield components, biological yield and seed yield of chickpea and the number of flowers, fresh weight of flowers, fresh weight of stigma and dry weight of stigma for saffron. The results showed that saffron intercropping series had a significant impact on plant height, number of branches, number of pods, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant, biological yield and seed yield of chickpea (p≤0.01). The highest biological yield and seed yield of chickpea were observed in monoculture with 608.3 and 282.9 kg.m-2 and the minimum of these were obtained in 100%saffron+100% chickpea with 122.5 and 55.94 g.m-2, respectively. The number of flowers, fresh weight of flower, fresh weight of stigma and dry weight of stigma for saffron were significantly affected by intercropping with chickpea (p≤0.01). The highest flower number and stigma dry weight of saffron were achieved in monoculture with 103.89 and 0.47 g.m-2 and the lowest of these were obtained in 100%saffron+20% chickpea with 28.94 flowers.m-2 and 0.14 g.m-2, respectively. By increasing the chickpea ratio from 20 to 100% at additive intercropping series with saffron, the dry weight of stigma was increased by 142, 116, 41 and 5%, respectively. Therefore, we may conclude that intercropping of saffron with nitrogen fixation plants such as chickpea seems to be a rational ecological approach for sustainable management of saffron.
Agriculture
Seid Mohammad Alavi Siney; Jalal Saba; Babak Andalibi; Seyyed Siamak Alavikia; Mohammad Reza Azimi
Abstract
In order to investigate the effective traits on yield of saffron ecotypes, a study was carried out as a split plot in time based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Zanjan University during the growing seasons of 2013-2015. Eighteen saffron ecotypes were ...
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In order to investigate the effective traits on yield of saffron ecotypes, a study was carried out as a split plot in time based on randomized complete block design with three replications in the research farm of Zanjan University during the growing seasons of 2013-2015. Eighteen saffron ecotypes were studied in this experiment. The traits of number of flowers, fresh weight of flowers, fresh weight of stigma, dry weight of flowers, dry weight of stigma, stigma length and dry stigma yield of saffron were measured. The results indicated that there were significant differences among all studied traits of ecotypes except for stigma length. The correlation matrix revealed that the number of flower and dry weight of stigma had a positive and highly significant correlation with dry stigma yield (r= 0.99 and 0.70, respectively). Analysis of stepwise regression and path analysis showed that the traits of number of flowers, dry weight of stigma and dry weight of flowers were the most effective traits on dry stigma yield. Therefore, these traits can be used to achieve a higher stigma yield.
Economics and Marketing
Fatemeh Yaghoubi; Majid Jami Al-Ahmadi; Mohammad Reza Bakhshi; Mohammad Hassan Sayyari Zahan
Abstract
Commercialization of agricultural operations and use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agricultural production has been created serious environmental impacts. Due to this issue and in order to assess the amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs in saffron and wheat production systems, ...
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Commercialization of agricultural operations and use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agricultural production has been created serious environmental impacts. Due to this issue and in order to assess the amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticide inputs in saffron and wheat production systems, a study was conducted in Qaenat region (South Khorasan province), 50 wheat fields and 48 saffron fields were investigated during 2011-12. The results showed that average nitrogen fertilizer consumption was 222.38 and 57.83 kg.ha-1 in wheat and saffron production systems, respectively, which from sstatistically point of view the difference was significant. In addition, unlike wheat, the use of pesticides very low in saffron cultivation and in many saffron farms it was zero. Therefore, the results can be considered saffron is an healthier product and have greater potential to organic product. Also, the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers which were using in wheat in the study area were significantly different with recommended values. While in saffron production there was no significant difference between the values of consumed and recommended. Therefore, it seems, performing soil testing in each region and providing appropriate fertilizer formulas and required promotional-educational services in this regard, and raising public awareness is a good strategy for reducing the use of chemical inputs.
Agriculture
Basir Atarodi; Hamidreza Zabihi; Mehdi Zangiabadi
Abstract
Balanced nutrition is one of the most important methods to increase the quantity and quality of agricultural products such as saffron. Optimal application of fertilizer and impose the balance between nutrients is very important; achieving it requires a proper assessment of plant needs. Because the leaf ...
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Balanced nutrition is one of the most important methods to increase the quantity and quality of agricultural products such as saffron. Optimal application of fertilizer and impose the balance between nutrients is very important; achieving it requires a proper assessment of plant needs. Because the leaf is the main and most important tissue of plant metabolism so decomposition of its nutrients and interpretation of the results according to standard methods can provide complete information about the nutritional status of the plant, and can also be used to determine the order of nutrient requirements and fertilizer priority of the fields. In the present study, in order to investigate the nutritional status of saffron in South Khorasan province, leaf samples were collected from 23 farms and analysed for determining the macro and micronutrients concentration. Using nutrients concentration in high yielding fields, reference concentration (Cref ) was obtained for N, P and K nutrients 2.94, 0.25 and 1.22 percent respectively. As well as Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu Cref was 215.17, 27.21, 21.30 and 7.27 mg/kg respectively. After obtaining the reference concentration, the DOP value was calculated and based on that, the order of nutrient requirements was determined. The results showed that the absolute value of DOP for all nutrients studied was more than zero, in the other words, there was a nutritional imbalance in all fields. In more than 95% of cases, the nutritional imbalance was due to nutrient deficiencies, although in a few cases, the nutritional imbalance was also related to the excess of nutrients. Based on the indices of deviation from optimum percentage, among macronutrients potassium in 70% of the studied farms and among the micronutrients, manganese in 60%, and iron in 30% of the farms, had highest negative indices. Overall and based on the results of this study, it can be recommended that in saffron farms of South Khorasan province, the use of fertilizers containing potassium, iron and manganese should be given priority.
Other subject about saffron
hossein sahabi; Mohsen Jahan; Alireza Kochaki; Mahdi Nasiri
Abstract
The corm size, nutrient management and corm type are the most important factors that may affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to study the effect of mother corm size and nutrient foliar application on flower and corm yield of Spanish and Iranian ...
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The corm size, nutrient management and corm type are the most important factors that may affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to study the effect of mother corm size and nutrient foliar application on flower and corm yield of Spanish and Iranian Saffron landrace, an experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications during two growing seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15) at the Faculty of Agriculture of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran .The saffron corm type was considered in two levels (Iranian corm and Spanish corm), mother corm size were in three levels (1- 8g, 8.1- 15g, 15.1- 23g) and nutrient foliar application were in two levels (control and sprayed leaves with 7% micro and macro nutrients). The results showed that the effect of different mother corm size, corm type and nutrient foliar application on the number of flowers, flower fresh and dry weight (stigma + style) were significant. The highest number of flowers (48.6 flower.m-2), flower fresh weight (24.3 g.m-2) and saffron (stigma + style) dry weight (0.25 g.m-2) were obtained in 15.1-23g mother corm size, and the lowest were obtained in 8g > mother corms. In contrast, nutrient foliar application had not significant effect on total produced daughter corms. However, the highest number of flowers (43.7 flower.m-2), flower fresh weight (21.8 g.m-2) and stigmas dry weight (0.23 g.m-2) were obtained from Iranian corms in the second year. Hence, the use of appropriate weight for planting Iranian corms (over 15 g) with nutrient of foliar application can be useful for increasing the performance of the flowers and saffron corms.
Agriculture
Elham Azizi; Shahin Farabi
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been used as food and medicine for Iranians for a long time, from the ancient to the modern period, and several factors have influenced its production and consumption in different provinces, especially Razavi Khorasan. In order to investigate the trend of cultivated area, ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has been used as food and medicine for Iranians for a long time, from the ancient to the modern period, and several factors have influenced its production and consumption in different provinces, especially Razavi Khorasan. In order to investigate the trend of cultivated area, stigma production and yield of saffron and also the effect of climatic parameters such as altitude above sea level, average temperature, and precipitation on the cultivation and production of this plant in different cities of Khorasan Razavi Province, a study was conducted by using data of Agricultural Jihad Organization during 1984 to 2020. Results indicated that the highest production and cultivated area in the province of Razavi Khorasan in the studied period were related to Zaveh, Torbat Heydarieh, and Roshtkhar, respectively. Zaveh and Torbat Heydarieh also had the largest portion of irrigated production in the province, with 13.3 and 9.4 %, respectively. Upon comparing the yield of saffron across different cities to the provincial average, it became evident that Gonabad and Torbat Heydarieh secured the first and second positions, respectively, in this comparison. Conversely, Kalat exhibited the lowest percentage in terms of cultivated area, irrigated production, and yield ratio compared to the provincial average. Further analysis revealed that elevation above sea level is positively correlated with both cultivated area and saffron production. Interestingly, there exists a non-linear inverse relationship between annual rainfall and cultivated area, production, and yield of saffron. Moreover, the study found that higher average temperatures are associated with increased saffron production, although the average yield of saffron tends to decrease. Regarding similarities across different cities in Khorasan-Razavi province, an investigation at a 75% similarity threshold indicated the possibility of classifying the province's various regions into five distinct clusters. The cities of Bakharz, Gonabad, Kashmer, Mahvalat, and Roshtkhar were in the first cluster, and the cities of Bajastan, Khaf, Torbat Jam, Neishabur, Bardaskan, and Taibad were in the second cluster, and each of the cities of Torbat Heydarieh and Zaveh also formed two separate branches. The rest of the cities were placed in a cluster. In general, the increasing trend of saffron cultivation and production in Khorasan-Razavi province indicates a greater desire to cultivate this plant by the farmers, considering the climatic and soil conditions of this province.
Other subject about saffron
Zohre Natavan; Rooholla Moradi; Mahdi Naghizadeh; Nasibeh Pourghasemian
Abstract
In order to study the effect of different chemical and organic mulch types on density and biomass of weed and some agronomical characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Qaen region in during 2018-2019. ...
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In order to study the effect of different chemical and organic mulch types on density and biomass of weed and some agronomical characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Qaen region in during 2018-2019. The experimental treatments were application of various mulch types for weed control (no weed control, hand weeding, transparent polyethylene, black polyethylene, beeswax waste, residues of grape leaf, wheat straw, pomegranate leaf, pistachio leaf, barley straw and saffron corm dunnage). The results showed that all the treatments except transparent polyethylene significantly reduced the number of species, density, dry weight and shannon diversity of weed compared to no weeding treatment. The lowest dry weight of weed was related to black polyethylene (52.22 g m-2) and wheat straw (123 g m-2) mulches. Application of all the mulches except transparent polyethylene caused a significant increase in corm, flowers and stigmas yield of saffron compared to non-weeding conditions. Beeswax waste and wheat straw had the highest number of flowers (151 and 135 flowers m-2) and stigma yield (4.89 and 4.32 kg ha-1), respectively. Black polyethylene, pomegranate leaf and grape leaf did not show a significant difference with hand weeding in terms of growth and yield of saffron. In general, the results confirmed that the application of all the studied mulches with the exception of transparent polyethylene led to appropriate weed control and improving saffron yield characteristics compared to no weed control treatment and are recommended to farmers.
Agriculture
Hamid-reza Fallahi; Sohrab Mahmoodi
Abstract
The combined effect of water and nutrient availability is one of the most important factors in corm growth and flowering of saffron. In addition, it seems that applying water in amounts more than conventional amounts in semi-arid areas can be more useful in saffron cultivation. Accordingly, the effects ...
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The combined effect of water and nutrient availability is one of the most important factors in corm growth and flowering of saffron. In addition, it seems that applying water in amounts more than conventional amounts in semi-arid areas can be more useful in saffron cultivation. Accordingly, the effects of irrigation regimes [two and four weeks intervals equal to application of 3600 (conventional irrigation treatment) and 7200 m3.ha-1 (extensive-irrigation treatment) during saffron growth], as well as organic (30 ton.ha-1 cow manure based on soil and manure analysis results) and chemical fertilizers (220, 150 and 100 kg.ha-1 urea, super-phosphate and potassium sulfate, respectively) with a control treatment (no-fertilizer) are studied on some physiological growth indices, corm production and flowering of saffron in this experiment. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized completely block design with three replications in Sarayan county, Iran, during 2014-2016. Vegetative growth indices were studied during the first growth cycle, while flowering indices were measured during the second growth season. Total biomass has an increasing trend during saffron growth cycle in all treatments. This index was higher in cow manure treatment in both levels of water availability, during the last two growth months. Crop growth rate (CGR) was slow (below 3.9 g.m-2.day-1), rapid (3.9-12 g.m-2.day-1) and intermediate (5.5 g.m-2.day-1) in the early (the first 90 days of growth), middle (90-150 days after growth) and late (150-180 days of growth) growth periods. The highest CGR (12 g.m-2.day-1) was obtained in cow manure treatment and 145 days after the first autumnal irrigation. In all treatments, leaf weight ratio (leaf to total plant weight ratio) has a decreasing trend from two months after the first irrigation until the end of the growth cycle and it is slightly higher in fertilization treatments. Cow manure application increased the corm production and total corms weight per plant by 15 and 13%, respectively, compared with the control treatment. The highest mean weight of replacement corms (6.4 g) was shown in combined treatment of cow manure and two weeks' irrigation intervals. The highest values of flower number (98 flower per m2), flower yield (24.3 g.m-2), style yield (0.56 g.m-2) and dry petal yield (3.7 g.m-2) were obtained in plants that had been treated with cow manure and received water in intervals of 4 weeks. In cow manure fertilizer and control treatments, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in irrigation intervals of 4 weeks, while in chemical fertilizer treatment, the highest flower and stigma yield were obtained in 2 week irrigation intervals. Therefore, it seems that application of cow manure combined with consumption of 3600 m3.ha-1 is suitable during the first growth cycle of saffron during which corm density and transpiration area are low.
Agriculture
Mohsen Razavian; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Ghorban Ali Asadi
Abstract
In order to study the effects of different weights of mother corm and sowing depth on flower and corm yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted as a factorial layout based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty ...
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In order to study the effects of different weights of mother corm and sowing depth on flower and corm yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), an experiment was conducted as a factorial layout based on complete randomized block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during 2015-2016 growing seasons. The experimental treatments were all combination of four mother corm weights (4-6, 6.1-8, 8.1-10 and 10.1-12 g) and three planting depths (10, 15 and 20 cm). In the first year, criteria such as flower and corms yield were evaluated, and in the second year only flower yield were recorded. The result revealed that in both years the interaction between corm weight and planting depths was significant on most traits of the studied flower. Flower, stigma and style yield significantly increased by increasing corm weight and planting depth. The maximum dry stigma yield was obtained in 10.1-12 g corm weight and 20 cm planting depth which was 0.1095 and 0.5393 g.m-2 in the first and the second year, respectively. The interaction between treatments was not significant on daughter corm but the individual effects of each treatment was significant. The higher corm yield (1181.6 g.m-2) was related to 10.1-12 g corm weight treatment. Deeper planting (20 cm) produced the high corm yield (938.86 g.m-2). Eventually, the high excellence of yield in corm weight and planting depth treatments of higher, we recommend corms with higher weight and deeper sowing depth for cultivating saffron.
Fatemeh Parsapour; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Surur Khorramdel
Abstract
Response surface methodology (RSM) is defined as a set of mathematical and statistical techniques that are used to optimize yield of a product. In order to study the effects of urban waste compost and corm rates on flower yield of saffron using RSM, an experiment was conducted at the Research Field of ...
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Response surface methodology (RSM) is defined as a set of mathematical and statistical techniques that are used to optimize yield of a product. In order to study the effects of urban waste compost and corm rates on flower yield of saffron using RSM, an experiment was conducted at the Research Field of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran during the growing season of 2017-2018. The treatments were determined based on low and high levels of urban waste compost (0 and 20 t.ha-1, respectively) and corm weight (5 and 15 t.ha-1, respectively). These were computed by using Minitab V. 17. Dry weight of stigma, dry weight of style, fresh weight of flower, flower number, corm number, dry weight of corm, and number of buds per corm were calculated as dependent variables and changes of these variables were evaluated by using a regression model. Lack-of-fit test was used to evaluate the quality of the fitted model. The adequacy of the model was tested by analysis of variance. In general, the full quadratic polynomial equation was tested to determine significance of the model and the components (such as linear, squared and first-order interaction terms). The quality of the fitted model was judged using the determination coefficient (R2). The results show that the effect of linear component on all traits studied except fresh weight of flower, dry weight of corm 0-4g, and number of buds per corm 0-4 and 8-4 grams were significant. The effect of total grade two had a significant effect on the traits of flower number, fresh weight of flower, dry weight of stigma, dry weight of style, number of daughter corms per 0-4, 4-8 and >8 grams, dry weight of corm per 4-8 and >8 grams and number of buds per >8 grams was significant. Also, the interaction effect of two factors of urban waste compost and weight corm on the number of flowers, fresh weight of flower, dry weight of stigma, dry weight of style, number of daughter corms per 4-8 and >8 grams, dry weight of corm 4-8 and >8 grams, and number of buds per corm >8 grams were significant. Lack of fit test had no significant effect on the studied traits. The full square model for the response variables gave insignificant lack-of-fit indicating that the data of experiment were satisfactorily explained. The highest flower number, fresh weight of flower, stigma dry weight and style dry weight were observed for 5 t.ha-1 corm+ 20 t.ha-1 compost. Optimum of corm weight and urban waste compost and desirability for the traits related to flower and corm with 5 t.ha-1, 20 t.ha-1and d = 0.92 were urban waste compost with 12 t.ha-1, 20 t.ha-1and d = 0.95, respectively. Based on the results, municipal waste compost and corm weight had a positive effect on most of the studied traits.
Biotechnology and genetics
mahdi bayat; reza amirnia; mahdi tajbakhsh; bahattin tanyolac
Abstract
In order to study genetic diversity and some of the quality and agronomic traits in saffron, six cultivated ecotypes were collected from different regions of the Khorasan province (Mashhad, Torbat-Jam, Gonabad, Torbat-Heydarieh, Qaen and Birjand) and they were evaluated during two cropping seasons in ...
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In order to study genetic diversity and some of the quality and agronomic traits in saffron, six cultivated ecotypes were collected from different regions of the Khorasan province (Mashhad, Torbat-Jam, Gonabad, Torbat-Heydarieh, Qaen and Birjand) and they were evaluated during two cropping seasons in 2011-13 in the research farm of the agricultural faculty, Urmia University, Urmia-Iran. The farming results showed that there were significant differences between the ecotypes in the studied agronomic and qualitative traits. Thus,, the cluster analysis grouped ecotypes Torbat-Heydarieh, Mashhad and Torbat-Jam in a cluster and ecotypes Birjand, Qaen and Gonabad in the other cluster. The results of mean comparison also showed that ecotypes Torbat-Heydarieh and Mashhad were the best saffron ecotypes in the Urmia condition. On the other hand, the genetic results showed that 22 of 30 SSR primers (73%) detected a total of 44 polymorphic alleles (average 2). The average of Shannon index (I), genetic diversity (h) and polymorphic information content (PIC) were estimated to be 0.688, 0.424 and 0.402, respectively. These results not only clarified the existence of genetic diversities among saffron ecotypes, but also, the genetic diversities were proven with other analyses such as analysis of molecular variance. The results of cluster analysis of Darwin grouped each ecotype of Birjand, Mashhad and Gonabad in a cluster and three ecotypes. Torbat-Heydarieh, Qaen and Torbat-Jam were placed in the same cluster because of their high genetic similarity. This grouping was confirmed by principal coordinate analysis. It was notable that high genetic similarities were estimated between saffron ecotypes (65-90%). Overall, the results of this research not only introduced microsatellite molecular markers as useful tools for evaluating genetic diversity and grouping of saffron ecotypes, but also confirmed that saffron is not a monomorphic plant and we can identify useful genetic diversities for breeding programs.
Agriculture
Hamidreza Zabihi; Hasan Feizi
Abstract
In order to investigate the response of saffron to rate and time of application and two kinds of potassium (K) fertilizers, a factorial experiment was conducted with three factors, including the amount of potassium (0, 20.75, 41.5, 65.25, 83 and 103.75 kg K.ha-1); time of application (annual application ...
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In order to investigate the response of saffron to rate and time of application and two kinds of potassium (K) fertilizers, a factorial experiment was conducted with three factors, including the amount of potassium (0, 20.75, 41.5, 65.25, 83 and 103.75 kg K.ha-1); time of application (annual application of K, and application of cumulative potassium needed for 4 years in the first year; these plots received 415, 332, 249, 166, 83, 0 Kg K.ha-1,respectively in the first year and at other three years not received any K fertilizer); and sources of potassium (K2SO4 and KCl) with three replications in a randomized complete block design in Gonabad agriculture and natural resource research station for 4 years. Results of the first year were not analyzed, because these results not related to fertilizer treatments.Results showed that effect of potassium rate on saffron dry stigma was significant (P<0.05) and the highest dry stigma yield was obtained from application of 20.75 Kg K.ha-1.Application time of K fertilizer had a significant effect on saffron dry stigma yield and application of fertilizer each year increased saffron dry stigma yield significantly (P<0.05) in compared to application of all fertilizer at the first year. Effects of sources of K on dry stigma yield of saffron was significant (P<0.05) and application of K in the form of K2SO4 increased dry stigma yield in compared to muriate of KCl treatment.
Agriculture
Majid Rostami; Behrooz Mohmmad Parast; Rahil Golfam
Abstract
Salinity is a common stress in many parts of the world especially in Iran that decreases the yield and quality of many crops. In order to investigate the effects of different levels of salinity stress on some physiological indices of saffron, an experiment was conducted in the Malayer University in 2012. ...
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Salinity is a common stress in many parts of the world especially in Iran that decreases the yield and quality of many crops. In order to investigate the effects of different levels of salinity stress on some physiological indices of saffron, an experiment was conducted in the Malayer University in 2012. The experiment was arranged based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications and six levels of salinity (i.e. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 dS m-1). The results showed that the effect of salinity on chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content was not significant. However, increasing the salinity stress up to 6 dS m-1 resulted in an increase of these photosynthetic pigments. The effect of salinity stress on leaf carotenoides and xantophyll content were significant and higher salinity stress resulted in an increase of these pigments. Moreover, the effect of salinity on leaf proline was not significant, but the amount of leaf glucose content increased by increasing salinity stress, significantly. The effects of experimental treatments on leaf dry weight, leaf length and relative water content were significant and negative, but there was no significant effect on leaf number. By increasing the concentration of salt, the mean weight of replacement corms decreased significantly whereas the corms number increased up to 4 dS.m-1 and then decreased significantly.
Surur Khorramdel; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Abdollah Mollafilabi; Sahar Valizadeh
Abstract
Weedy flora of agroecosystems is composed of many species that have evolved in response to cropping system practices by occupying the niches left available in agroecosystems. In order to study weed species diversity and community structure in the saffron fields of Khorasan province, a survey trial was ...
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Weedy flora of agroecosystems is composed of many species that have evolved in response to cropping system practices by occupying the niches left available in agroecosystems. In order to study weed species diversity and community structure in the saffron fields of Khorasan province, a survey trial was carried out in seven counties (including Mashhad, Neyshabur, Birjandn, Ghaen, Gonabad, Torbat-e Jam and Torbat-e Heydari) during 2014 and 2015 from vegetative growth, dormant to flowering stages of saffron randomly dropped 1×1 m2 quadrates in 50 fields based on a systematic method as W pattern. The counties were clustered by the hierarchical complete linkage method based on Euclidean. Biodiversity indices such as stability coefficient, Simpson, Shannon–Wiener, Margalef and Menhinick were computed. The results indicated that the dominant weeds in saffron fields belong to 19 families and 50 species. Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae were dominant families with 11, 9, 8 and 6 species, respectively. The majority of weed species were dicotyledonous, C3, noxious and annual plants. The highest stability coefficients in the stages of growth of saffron were calculated in Alhagi camelorum, Avena fatua and Achillea millefolium to be 30.81, 24.11 and 12.14, respectively. All weed species except for Alhagi camelorum (sustainable species) and Avena fatua (temporary species) were recognized as causal species. The maximum diversity indices for weed species were recorded at the vegetative phase of saffron. Correlation coefficient between weed density and yield loss of saffron was computed as R2=0.98. Based on diversity indices for weed species, different counties were clustered in three groups at 75% similarity level.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Javad Feizy; Moslem Jahani; Elaheh Moradi; Sima Ahmadi
Abstract
One of the new management methods to reduce costs and also environmental pollution is the use of agricultural waste. Considering the importance of metal compounds in the consumer’s health and their decisive role in proposing suitable cultivation areas and developing food applications of saffron ...
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One of the new management methods to reduce costs and also environmental pollution is the use of agricultural waste. Considering the importance of metal compounds in the consumer’s health and their decisive role in proposing suitable cultivation areas and developing food applications of saffron by-products in Iran, it is necessary to measure micronutrients and useful nutritional metal elements and heavy metal residues. Iran is the largest producer and exporter of saffron in the world with an annual production of 330 tons and an export of 280 tons. In this study, minerals of different components of saffron flowers (petals, stamens and styles) collected from eleven farms (in Khorasan Razavi and Qazvin provinces) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results showed that in the stamen, the highest amount of micronutrients was related to magnesium (3031.9031), sodium (366.29), iron (236.57), copper (122.01), manganese (109.04) and zinc (91.17) mg/kg, respectively. Also, calcium and potassium quantities were 2.30 and 3.51 g/100g, respectively. In the style samples, the highest amount of micronutrients was related to magnesium (2365.78), sodium (394.53), iron (238.11), manganese (113.13), zinc (66.83) and copper 49.39 mg/kg, respectively. In the style samples, calcium (4.30) and potassium (2.15) were 4.30 and 2.15 g/100g, respectively. In the case of petals, like style, the highest levels of micronutrients were related to magnesium (1805/80), sodium (539.25), iron (292.63), manganese (81.98), zinc (56.76) and copper 16.17) mg/kg, respectively. Also, the amount of calcium and potassium were 3.45 and 1.59 g/100g, respectively. Due to the results and richness of these by-products of micronutrients, they can be used in various food industries, including enrichment and compensation of mineral deficiency of various processed and canned foods.
Agriculture
Abdollah Mollafilabi; Sorour Khorramdel
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice and 95% of its global production is in Iran. In order to study the effects of cow manure and foliar spraying on criteria of daughter corms and flower yield in six year-old saffron, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive spice and 95% of its global production is in Iran. In order to study the effects of cow manure and foliar spraying on criteria of daughter corms and flower yield in six year-old saffron, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during two growing seasons of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Treatments were Yaramilla complex (A), Humestar (B), True fertilizer (C), Delfard (D), manure fertilizer as composted cow manure (E), A+E, B+E, C+E, D+E and control. Twenty t.ha-1 of cow manure were applied at the end of fall on the soil surface. Foliar nutrient treatments were sprayed at three times during vegetative stage of saffron (7 mg.kg-1). The results showed that the effects of cow manure and foliar spraying were significant on dry weight of tunic, dry weight of leaf, dry weight of corm, leaf length, leaf appearance rate, flower emergence rate, flower number, fresh weight of flower and dry weight of stigma for saffron (p≤0.01). The highest leaf appearance rate and flower emergence rate were observed in C+E with 7.34 leaves per day and 11.7 flowers per day, respectively. The maximum fresh weight of flower and stigma dry weight were obtained in C+E with 69.77 and 0.66 g.m-2, respectively. These lowest amounts were obtained in control with 27.30 and 0.26 g.m-2, respectively. The application of cow manure resulted in enhanced growth and yield of corm and flower. Also, foliar spraying improved flowering rate, flower yield and stigma yield of saffron due to increasing in production assimilates and their translocation to corm and below ground organs.
Other subject about saffron
Shima Abdoshah; Davood Bakhshi; Mohammad Bagher Farhangi
Abstract
Applying chemical fertilizers has traditionally been employed to enhance saffron cultivation yields. However, their excessive usage has not only failed to increase yields significantly but has also resulted in soil element depletion and environmental pollution. In the context of sustainable agriculture, ...
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Applying chemical fertilizers has traditionally been employed to enhance saffron cultivation yields. However, their excessive usage has not only failed to increase yields significantly but has also resulted in soil element depletion and environmental pollution. In the context of sustainable agriculture, the use of biofertilizers presents an alternative approach. Biofertilizers play a crucial role in reducing the dependency on chemical fertilizers by aiding in the mobilization of mineral elements within the soil, ultimately leading to heightened yield levels. Therefore, due to the importance of increasing the yield of saffron as a strategic export and medicinal plant, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design format with three replications in the research farm of the Semnan Natural Resources Department during the year 2022. Iron-zinc (FeZn), potassium (K), phosphorus (P) biofertilizers, and their combination together with the control (total of 8 treatments) were experimental treatments and applied as fertigation in the middle of February 2022. The studied traits included flowering period, number of flowers, fresh and dry flower weight, fresh and dry weight of stigma, height and diameter of stigma tip, number and length of leaves, and leaf chlorophyll content. The field soil was analyzed before the experiment, and it was a saline calcareous soil with alkaline pH and high levels of nutritional elements, which does not need chemical fertilizers for saffron cultivation. Mean comparisons showed that biofertilizers caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all traits except length and number of leaves, height, and stigma diameter compared to the control. This research showed that the combined application of K and FeZn biofertilizers had the best results. So that the highest values of the number of flowers (175 number.plot-1), fresh weight of flowers (72.61 g.plot-1), dry weight of flowers (7.92 g.plot-1), length of flowering period (21 days), chlorophyll a content (0.728 mg.g-1 of leaf fresh weight), total chlorophyll content (5.97 mg.g-1 leaf fresh weight), stigma fresh weight (4.28 g.plot-1) and stigma dry weight (0.804 g.plot-1) were recorded in the K+FeZn treatment. Overall, the cultivation of saffron with biofertilizers improved most of the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron by affecting the uptake of nutrients, and the combined use of biofertilizers can significantly increase saffron yield through synergistic effects.
Agriculture
Surur Khorramdel; Mehdi Nassiri Mahallati; Abdollah Soltan Ahmadi; Mina Hooshmand; Mohammad Javad Mostafavi
Abstract
Carbon footprint (CF) is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of farmlands. Since the used inputs have an important role in greenhouse gas emissions, CF as an ecological indicator have been extensively applied for assessing the environmental externalities in agroecosystems. This study ...
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Carbon footprint (CF) is the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of farmlands. Since the used inputs have an important role in greenhouse gas emissions, CF as an ecological indicator have been extensively applied for assessing the environmental externalities in agroecosystems. This study was conducted to estimate the CF and carbon efficiency (CE) of saffron production systems in North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan provinces. Also, life cycle assessment analysis is calculated for quantifying the impact of saffron farming activity on the environment. Studied indices were global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential )AP) and eutrophication potential in terrestrial (UPT) and aquatic (UPA) sub-categories, N2Odirect, N2Oindirect, N2O emissions affected as volatilization and leaching, carbon inputs (Ci), carbon outputs (Co), CF and CE. The results revealed that the lowest GWP for saffron production systems was related to south Khorasan with 339.43 kg CO2 equiv./ one kg flower yield. The minimum environmental index (EcoX) was recorded for south Khorasan (0.039 EcoX/ one kg flower yield). N2O emissions in South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan and North Khorasan provinces were estimated with 95974.51, 199674.4 and 344723 kg N2O per one ha, respectively. The largest N2O emissions affected as leaching and volatilization were calculated for North Khorasan province (with 1.21 and 24.23 kg N2O per one ha, respectively). The maximum Ci and Co were related to North Khorasan province with 117986.52 and 15135.56 kg C per one ha, respectively. The largest CF and CE were computed for North Khorasan and south Khorasan provinces with 7.8 and 0.18, respectively. It concluded that adoption on conservation and reduced tillages, N2- fixing pulses, cover crops and green manures in rotations with saffron and increased nitrogen use efficiency as ecological approaches can optimize the system performance while reducing environmental externalities and the carbon footprint of the crop cultivation. So, with relevant agro-environmental policies in saffron production systems along with the adoption of improved agronomical practices increasing flower yield with no cost the environment can be achieved effectively, efficiently and economically.
Agriculture
Hassan Feizi; Abdollah Mollafilabi; Hossein Sahabi; Ahmad Ahmadian
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of summer irrigation and conservation tillage on flower characteristics and corms behavior of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a field experiment was conducted during 2009- 2010, at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Torbat-e-Heydarieh, Iran. A factorial trial based ...
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In order to investigate the effects of summer irrigation and conservation tillage on flower characteristics and corms behavior of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a field experiment was conducted during 2009- 2010, at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Torbat-e-Heydarieh, Iran. A factorial trial based on complete randomized block design with four replications was used. The experimental treatments were all combination of summer irrigations (July, August, July + August and no irrigation) and conservation tillage (application and non- application). Based on analysis of variance, in the first and second years, summer irrigation had significant effects on number and flower yield of saffron. In the first year, the highest number of flower, flower and stigma yield of saffron significantly observed by irrigation on July + August (25 flowers per m2, 12.1 and 0.16 g.m-2, respectively,). In the second year, irrigation in August had highest significant effects on mentioned characteristics of saffron (127.4 flowers per m2, 61.4 and 0.87 g.m-2, respectively). In the first year, flower and stigma yields of saffron significantly increased by conservation tillage (by 11.3 and 11.7%), as compared to control (no conservation tillage). In addition, summer irrigation and conservation tillage significantly increased picrocrocin content.
Biotechnology and genetics
Fereshteh Babaee; Zahra Tahmasebi; Hasan Feyzi; Arash Fazeli
Abstract
Iran is one of the important distribution centers of medicinal species, including plant saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The presence or absence of genetic diversity in common native and commercial cultivars of saffron of the country has always been one of the important questions for researchers of this ...
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Iran is one of the important distribution centers of medicinal species, including plant saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The presence or absence of genetic diversity in common native and commercial cultivars of saffron of the country has always been one of the important questions for researchers of this filed. In the present study, varioussaffronsamplesfrom different regions of Iran, including seventeen cultivated samplesfrom North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, Lorestan and Ilam, eight wild types (C. haussknechtii) from Lorestan, Kermanshah and Ilam and one wild type (C. cancellatuse) from Kermanshah were collected and then their genetic diversity was obtained using random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) marker. A total number of 161 DNA bands were produced by eight primers with an average of 14.3 bands; the primer Oligo 340 produced the most number of bands. The polymorphism percentage mean was 73.77%. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method divided the samplesinto four groups. In this grouping, there was a minimum distance between saffron populations collected from Kermanshah and Ilam. In other words, these two populations had the maximum genetic similarity with each other. The maximum similarity was observed between the samplescollected from Saleh-Abad and Lomar in Ilam and the minimum similarity was observed between ecotypes collected from Bisotoon in Kermanshah and Torbat-jam in the Khorasan Razavi province. In most cases, samples of different species were divided into different groups such that it can be said that this Genus has a great diversity. Although there are some samples of wild species (C. haussknechtii) that were with saffron crop species in a group in which there exists many molecular Genetics similarities between these species that is indicative of a common genetic background.
Agriculture
Mohammad Karimiferezgh; Mohammad Kafi; Ahmad Nezami
Abstract
In order to compare the effect of irrigation levels and methods on leaf area and replacement corm production of saffron during 2013-2014 growing season, a split plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in the Jolgeh Rokh District, in 35 km Torbat Heydarie. ...
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In order to compare the effect of irrigation levels and methods on leaf area and replacement corm production of saffron during 2013-2014 growing season, a split plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in the Jolgeh Rokh District, in 35 km Torbat Heydarie. The main plot basin irrigation, drip and sprinkler irrigation and sub plot was three levels of irrigation (100, 75 and 50 percent water requirement of saffron). The traits studied were including dry weight, number, diameter and length of leaf, dry weight, size and number of replacement corms, weight and length sheath. Sampling for determining the characteristics of leaf and sheath was done on April 30, and for corm it was done on May 31, 2014. The results showed that in the irrigation method treatments, the most dry weight of corm, leaf and sheath weight, size and number of replacement corm, number, diameter and length of leaf were observed in the case of drip irrigation. In addition, the best yield was observed in drip irrigation and the lowest amount was seen in basin irrigation. Saffron irrigation with the drip method resulted in an increase of the number of replacement corms compared to the sprinkler and basin methods (10 and 34 percent, respectively). The effect of irrigation levels was significant on some of the traits that were studied and the most yield was related to 100 percent irrigation level and the lowest one was in the 50 percent water requirement. Reducing irrigation from 100 to 50% crop water requirement severely reduced replacement corms number and their weight (62 and 86 percent, respectively). Consequently, the most photosynthesis level of Saffron and also the maximum amount of total number and total weight of replacement corms were obtained in the drip irrigation case and 100 percent irrigation level.
Agriculture
moahammad Farhangi; ahmad ahmadian; Iman yousefi javan
Abstract
One of the most serious problems in saffron production is that it is impossible to plant saffron again in a given farm. Therefore, it is essential to identify the reasons for not being able to plant saffron again in a given farm. This research was carried out in order to investigate the effect of residual ...
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One of the most serious problems in saffron production is that it is impossible to plant saffron again in a given farm. Therefore, it is essential to identify the reasons for not being able to plant saffron again in a given farm. This research was carried out in order to investigate the effect of residual soil of saffron, different ages of saffron field, its corm and extract on quantitative production of saffron in factorial as completely randomized design with three replications during 2016-2018, in a personal farm under natural conditions in Torbate Heydarieh, Iran. The first factor was soil age at three levels (including field soil without background of saffron cultivation (control treatment), field soil from which corms had been taken out two years ago, and soil under cultivation of saffron in the fourth year) and the second factor was the application of corm and its extract in three levels (including non-consumption of corm as control, crushed saffron corm 14 tons per hectare and consumption of aqueous extract of saffron corm with a concentration of 50 percent). The results showed that most traits were affected by treatments and their interactions. The cultivation of saffron in the field caused a significant reduction in the amount of leaf and flower components and their yield (more than 17 and 27 %, respectively). Also, using aqueous extract and crushed saffron corm reduced more than 10% of flower and leaf components and their yield. The highest stigma and leaf yield were observed in the control treatment (9.88 and 240.97 kg.ha-1, respectively) and the least stigma and leaf yield were observed in field soil two years after the outcrop and using crushed corms (2.27 and 16.09 kg.ha-1, respectively). So, it can be stated that remnants of saffron corm in the field significantly reduce the growth, reproduction, leaf and flower yield and its components and it is recommended that the cultivated saffron residues of the previous year be taken out from the soil for re-cultivation of saffron so that its harmful effects do not reduce the growth and yield of new saffron.
