Biotechnology and genetics
Mohammad Ramezani Kaporchali; Mohammad Reza Safarnejad; Abolghasem Ghasemi; Naser Farrokhi
Abstract
Burkholderia gladioli pv. gladioli (Bgg) is the causative agent of saffron bacterial rot. Accurate identification methods will play an important role in disease control management. Flagellum is the main commodity of the bacteria that facilitates its movement. Furthermore, it is of particular importance ...
Read More
Burkholderia gladioli pv. gladioli (Bgg) is the causative agent of saffron bacterial rot. Accurate identification methods will play an important role in disease control management. Flagellum is the main commodity of the bacteria that facilitates its movement. Furthermore, it is of particular importance in colonization and pathogenicity. The fliC gene is one among five other genes encoding flagellin, the protein that makes the flagella in bacteria. In this study, the flagellin genes of 11 bacterial species were selected and the phylogenetic tree analysis divided them into plant and animal bacteria groups. Electron microscope images were taken from the bacterial flagella and its length was up to nine microns with 400-600 nm in diameter; as observed in both Lophotrichous and Monotrichous forms. fliC was amplified and analyzed for the first time by polymerase chain reaction for the two isolates of bacterial pathogen of saffron. Specific primers were designed and used that managed to separate Bgg from other bacteria, and helped in distinguishing the infected saffron corms from the healthy. Electron microscopy of the flagellum was illustrative of different types of Bgg. Investigating and studying the fliC gene can be useful in diagnosis of the causative agent of saffron corm rot disease.
Economics and Marketing
Majid Hamzei; Khadijah Bouzarjmehry
Abstract
Selected appropriate cropping patterns, especially high-value crops such as saffron, shows that the pattern of cultivation of these crops can facilitate the achievement of the objectives of rural development programs. In recent years, saffron cultivation considerably has been increased in parts of the ...
Read More
Selected appropriate cropping patterns, especially high-value crops such as saffron, shows that the pattern of cultivation of these crops can facilitate the achievement of the objectives of rural development programs. In recent years, saffron cultivation considerably has been increased in parts of the city of Nishapur like Isaac Abad district which altered the pattern of crop cultivation from onion to saffron cultivation. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the development pattern of saffron, and the economic and social consequences of the mentioned districts. This study was conducted based on library information and field collected data. A random sampling method was used. The sample size was calculated using Cochran equation, the number of calculated samples were 220 Isaac Abad district saffron grower. Data was analyzed by Pierson Correlation methods. The results showed that geographical factor and attractions in the consumer market were the most important factors in the spread pattern of saffron cultivation in the region. In order to maintain the local potential is also planning to expand the crop pattern deserves more attention to geographical factors.
Biotechnology and genetics
Mohammad Javad Habibzadeh; Seyed Mahdi Ziaratnia; Ebrahim Dorani-Uliaie
Abstract
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The economic value of saffron is due to the existence of apocarotenoids in its stigma. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of genes involving in apocarotenoids metabolism is on particular importance. In this research, beacause the importance ...
Read More
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The economic value of saffron is due to the existence of apocarotenoids in its stigma. Therefore, the isolation and characterization of genes involving in apocarotenoids metabolism is on particular importance. In this research, beacause the importance of CsUGT gene in crocin biosynthesis, it was isolated, cloned the E.coli strain DH5α. The full length gene was sequenced and registered in the NCBI. In order to characterize CsUGT gene, first the protein sequence was obtained, and then the physical and chemical characteristics and physiology of the CsUGT protein were analyzed by Protparam, SOPMA, ProtScale, Pfam, ProtComp, SignalP, TMHMM and ChloroP servers and tools. Also, using the Swiss-Model server, the 3D structure of this protein was investigated and Ramachandran diagram was drawn to validate the 3D drawn model structure. According to the results, CsUGT protein with 462 amino acids has the conserved sequence of glycosyltransferase family proteins and was identified as a polar protein, stable at high temperatures and without hydrophobic domain. CsUGT protein has no peptide signal or binding signals and has a cytoplasmic location. This research made it possible to isolate the CsGTS gene of saffron and optimized the conditions of its transfer into a vector. In addition, the results of CsUGT protein structure analysis provide the basis for future functional studies and can also provide valuable information regarding the behavior and reaction of this enzyme in the synthesis of saffron apocarotenoids. In addition, these results can be useful in the future programs of Iranian saffron genetic modification.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Maede Karamipour Esfahani; Mohammad Abedi; Zaker Bahreini
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L) is an important medicinal plant cultivated in different parts of Iran especially Razavi and South Khorasan provinces and because of its high price considered as one of the important Iranian products for export. Saffron extract is rich source of phyto chemicals with antioxidant ...
Read More
Saffron (Crocus sativus L) is an important medicinal plant cultivated in different parts of Iran especially Razavi and South Khorasan provinces and because of its high price considered as one of the important Iranian products for export. Saffron extract is rich source of phyto chemicals with antioxidant properties and used in traditional and modern medicine. Crocin is one of the natural carotenoid in saffron extract which recently used in pharmaceutical formulations for treatment of depression. In regard to significance of phyto chemicals and bioactive compounds in saffron extract and specially crocin, in this study, a convenient and practical solvent extraction method has been examined for extraction of crocin and bioactive compounds from saffron. For this purpose, at different ethanol-water volume ratios 0-100, 25-75, 50-50, 75-25 and 100-0, the ultrasonic extraction of bioactive compounds and crocin has been achieved. UV-Vis spectra at max of 445 nm was used for absorbance measurements and least square curve fitting applied for determination of crocin concentrations in extracted samples. The results obtained at different ethanol-water volume ratios and the stability of the solutions studied after three days. Ethanol-water with composition of 50:50 (v/v) was selected as the optimum ratio for the extraction of crocin from saffron.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Noraddin Hosseinpour azad; Ghorban Ali Nematzadeh; Giovanni Giuliano; Gholam Ali Ranjbar; Ahad Yamchi
Abstract
The main metabolites in saffron are the Apo- carotenoids’ Crocin and Crocetin. Color intensity and quality of saffron mostly depend on the presence of Crocins that are glycosylated steric form of Crocetin by glycosyltransferase enzyme. The aim of this study is the characterization of these metabolites ...
Read More
The main metabolites in saffron are the Apo- carotenoids’ Crocin and Crocetin. Color intensity and quality of saffron mostly depend on the presence of Crocins that are glycosylated steric form of Crocetin by glycosyltransferase enzyme. The aim of this study is the characterization of these metabolites in methanolic and chloroformic extracts of saffron stigmas during anthesis stage by LC-APCI-MS. Identification of cis and trans isomers of Crocin and Crocetin was done by three parameters such as mass spectra registered in the negative ion mode, retention time and absorption ratio related to each metabolites. The variability of these parameters made it possible to detect the Crocins isomer with regard to the attached position and the number of UDP- glucose and Gentiobiosyl molecules to Crocetin structure. Crocins was the mainly detected components as there are polar components that are classified in the carotenoeids groups and the strified form of Crocetin Glucose (β-D-Glucopyranosyl) and Gentiobiose (β-D-Glucopyranosyl-D-Glucose). Also doubly charged ions were found for trans-isomers of Crocin-4, due to the high symmetry of their molecules. Based on the data gathered, the applied chromatograph Machin in this project is accurate and it is most sensitive tools to investigate about plants’ natural components like saffron, also the used APCI-MS in negative ions mode is the most efficient method to distinguish different steric forms of Crocin based on the ion’s fragments related to united reduction of glycosyl and gentiobiosyl as well as molecular fractions.
Agriculture
Azizollah Kheiry; Hajar Parsa; Mohsen Sani Khani; Farhang Razavi
Abstract
In order to investigate the effect of different nitrogen sources on some quantitative and biochemical characteristics of Saffron Petals, an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications on the Research Farm of University of Zanjan. The treatments were Azotobarvar-1 ...
Read More
In order to investigate the effect of different nitrogen sources on some quantitative and biochemical characteristics of Saffron Petals, an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications on the Research Farm of University of Zanjan. The treatments were Azotobarvar-1 bio-fertilizer (containing free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii) with two levels (0.1 and 0.2 percent), Nitrokara (containing symbiotic and free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azorhizobium caulinodan) with two levels (1 and 2 percent) and combinations of both of them with four treatments (1percent Nitrokara + 0.1 percent Azotobarvar-1, 1 percent Nitrokara + 0.2 percent Azotobarvar-1, 2 percent Nitrokara + 0.1 percent Azotobarvar-1, 2 percent Nitrokara + 0.2 percent Azotobarvar-1) compared to control and one nitrogen level (40 kg/ha). The results showed that the highest yield of petals and stigma were obtained in 0.2 percent Azotobacter while the highest average dry flower weight resulted in 2 percent Azorhizobium treatment. The highest leaf nitrogen content and total chlorophyll were obtained in 0.2 percent Azotobacter and 40 kg/ha of nitrogen treatments. Also 40 Kg/ha nitrogen resulted in the highest leaf area. The highest antioxidant, total phenol and anthocyanin of tepal were achieved in 0.1 percent Azotobacter while the highest amount of flavonoid was observed in 1 percent Azorhizobium. The results showed that the application of all treatments increased yield of saffron petals. The 0.2 percent Azotobacter was the best treatment in terms of quantity of petal yield and 0.1 percent Azotobacter resulted in highest antioxidant content and therefore it can be recommended.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
hamed bakhshi; Mohamad Abaspour; Mohammad Hossein Saeidirad; Mohammad Hossein Aghkhani; Roghayeh pourbagher
Abstract
Separation of stigma from petals is one of the required tasks in saffron production. The mechanical separation of saffron flowers may be performed through the following steps: I) singulation of the flowers ii) aligning the flowers iii) cutting the style (Konje) and iv) separating the stigma from the ...
Read More
Separation of stigma from petals is one of the required tasks in saffron production. The mechanical separation of saffron flowers may be performed through the following steps: I) singulation of the flowers ii) aligning the flowers iii) cutting the style (Konje) and iv) separating the stigma from the petals. Because of the importance of saffron flower separation, a prototype device was constructed in this project for singulating and aligning of saffron flowers, prior to the cutting operation. This device can also be installed to work with other cutting and separating equipment and produce on an industrial scale. A pickup vacuum cylinder was used for singulating the flowers and an inclined V-shaped surface was employed for aligning of saffron flowers. The constructed apparatus was evaluated from the standpoint of singling efficiency and losses. For this purpose, three types of saffron flowers (buds, open short tail and long tail), three rotational speeds of pickup cylinder (6, 12 and 21.5 rpm), three levels of suction (30, 70 and 100 mm Hg), and four different inner diameters of finger’s nozzle (2, 3, 4 and 5 mm) were used with three replications. The results of analysis on the constructed device showed that the highest efficiency (75%) is observed for short tailopen saffron flowers with 5 mm inner diameter of sucking nozzles, suction of 100 mm Hg and the rotational speed of 6 rpm. To evaluate the performance of flower aligning, 100 saffron flowers with an average length of 5 cm were selected and tested with 5 replications. The average aligning with the correct direction obtained was equal to 84%.
Biotechnology and genetics
Fariba Afkhami; Nasser Zare; Rasool Asghari; Mohammad Mehdizadeh; Behnam Firoozi
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most important pharmaceutical plants in the world due to its valuable secondary metabolites. The aim of this study is to investigate the different factors on callus induction and growth in saffron corm explants. In the first experiment, saffron corms surface were sterilized and ...
Read More
Saffron is one of the most important pharmaceutical plants in the world due to its valuable secondary metabolites. The aim of this study is to investigate the different factors on callus induction and growth in saffron corm explants. In the first experiment, saffron corms surface were sterilized and were excised to equal segments, then they were treated with ultrasound and then they were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg.L-1 auxin (NAA and 2,4-D) and 0.5 mg.L-1 Kinetin. In the second experiment, the effect of temperature, light and chitosan were evaluated. The results of analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences (P≤0.05) among temperature, light, chitosan as well as ultrasound treatments in terms of callus induction percentage and fresh weight of callus. Callus induction and growth on MS medium containing 2 mg.L-1 NAA + 0.5 mg.L-1 Kin was higher than those containing 2 mg.L-1 2,4-D +0.5 mg.L-1 Kin. In MS medium containing 2,4-D which had low callus induction and callus growth rate, utilization of ultrasound stimulated callus induction and especially it stimulated callus growth from saffron corm explants. In addition, in MS medium containing 2,4-D, utilization of 0.25 g.L-1 chitosan stimulated callus induction and increased callus induction of saffron corm explants. However, increasing chitosan concentration from 0.25 mg.L-1 to 0.75 g.L-1 decreased callus induction and callus growth, while, in MS medium containing NAA, which had efficient callus induction and growth, utilization of these treatments reduced callus induction and callus growth from saffron corm explants. In other words, the effect of ultrasound and chitosan on response of saffron explants in vitro cultures was used, depending on the type of auxin used in composition of the culture medium. Generally, the highest percentage of callus induction occurred on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg.L-1 NAA + 0.5 mg.L-1 Kin and incubated at 25 ºC in the dark, which could be suitable for in vitro culture and gene transfer studies in saffron.
Other subject about saffron
Somayeh Khoshpeyk; reza sadarabadi; ahmad ahmadian
Abstract
In order to study the physiological responses of saffron(Crocus sativus L.) to salinity stress under application Silicon, nanosilicon and superabsorbent polymers, experiment as split plots in a randomized complete block design, in three replications and two cropping years it was done in a farm located ...
Read More
In order to study the physiological responses of saffron(Crocus sativus L.) to salinity stress under application Silicon, nanosilicon and superabsorbent polymers, experiment as split plots in a randomized complete block design, in three replications and two cropping years it was done in a farm located in Ziauddin section of Torbat Heydariyeh city. the main factor of irrigation water quality in two levels (includes water with electrical conductivity of 1.96 dS /m as a control and water with an electrical conductivity of 6 dS /m). and sub-factor of application of silicon and superabsorbent in six levels, (includes non-consumption as a control, Silicon, nanosilicon each with a concentration of 1.5 per thousand, superabsorbent (0.4 g / kg dry weight of soil). Silicon with superabsorbent and nano Silicon with superabsorbent) the results showed that salinity reduces and consumes silicon and superabsorbent in both salinity treatments and lack of salinity stress significantly increases important traits of reproductive growth, Included number of flowers, weight of single flower, average stigma length and yield of saffron flower and stigma in every 2 years of experiment. effect of treatments on saffron leaf vegetative growth traits including number of leaves, average leaf, leaf yield, chlorophyll a and b content and also on the characteristics of produced female corms including total number of female corms, average corm weight and yield of female corm in every 2 years. Salinity increased sodium and decreased leaf and corm potassium. while the use of silicon and superabsorbent due to maintaining the stability of cell membranes, Significantly reduced the sodium content of leaves and corm under stress and increased the amount of potassium. concomitant use of nano-silicon with superabsorbent reduces sodium content by 27.5% and 23.7%, respectively. also, 22.1% and 33% increase in potassium content of saffron leaves and corm compared to the control in salinity conditions were tested in the second year. consumption of nanosilicone with superabsorbent in salinity conditions increased 46.8% and 54.3% in the yield of saffron flowers and stigmas in the second year compared to the first year, respectively. it also reduced the amount of proline in saffron leaves and corm in both years of experiment. The experimental results showed that the combined application of nano silicon and superabsorbent increased the quantitative and qualitative yield of Saffron in salinity conditions.
Agriculture
Hamid-Reza Fallahi; Alijan Salariyan
Abstract
This research was conducted using questionnaires and the analysis of soil samples (the content of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) obtained from saffron fields of Torbat-Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2020-2021. In this research, saffron irrigation and nutrition management methods among ...
Read More
This research was conducted using questionnaires and the analysis of soil samples (the content of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) obtained from saffron fields of Torbat-Heydariyeh, Iran, during 2020-2021. In this research, saffron irrigation and nutrition management methods among three farmer groups (progressive farmers, skilled farmers and ordinary farmers) were investigated and compared with the recommendations of saffron researchers. The classification of farmers in the mentioned three classes was based on the stigma yield in relation to the field age. The results showed that most of the progressive and skilled farmers used the combined nutrition management method (organic fertilizer + chemical fertilizer with frequency of about 65%), while the single application of chemical fertilizer was the most common method among ordinary farmers (47.5%). The mean amount of organic manure application for ordinary, skilled and progressive farmers was 5.0, 6.3 and 10.7 ton ha-1year-1, respectively (less than the amount of 19.2 tons recommended by researchers) and the mean amount of nitrogen application was 49.5, 56.5 and 87 kg ha-1 (compared with 93.3 kg recommended by researchers). The application of phosphorus and particularly potassium was not a common practice among all three groups’ farmers. The average content of organic matter in the fields was 0.68%, nitrogen 0.041%, phosphorus 16.1ppm and potassium 292 ppm, which indicates the poverty of soils in terms of organic matter and to some extent nitrogen. The foliar application of nutrients for the fields of ordinary, skilled and progressive farmers was 0.23, 0.65 and 1.00 times per year, respectively, and the average irrigation times was 3.2, 3.6, and 4.6 times per year, respectively, which is less than the recommended values by experts (2.55 and 5.8 times per year, respectively). Summer irrigation (44.4% of farmers) and sprinkle irrigation method (26.8% of farmers) were more common among progressive farmers. In general, the poverty of organic matter and lack of nitrogen in the soil, low foliar application of nutrients and lack of use of modern irrigation methods were among the most important reasons for the high gap yield of saffron fields.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Zohreh Birjandi Toroghi; ّFarid Moradinezhad; Razieh Niazmand; Hassan Bayat
Abstract
Saffron is known as the most expensive spice in the world due to its many medicinal properties. This plant has many secondary metabolites, the most important of which are crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Different drying and storage conditions have caused a decrease in the quality ...
Read More
Saffron is known as the most expensive spice in the world due to its many medicinal properties. This plant has many secondary metabolites, the most important of which are crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Different drying and storage conditions have caused a decrease in the quality and effective ingredients of saffron stigma, which has reduced its value and credibility for export. This research aimed to explore methods for preserving the quality and microbial characteristics of dry saffron stigma during storage. Saffron stigmas were packed using three-layer packages (polyethylene-polyester-polyethylene) under three atmospheres: air, vacuum, and N2.The packages were then stored at room temperature for 80 days. Once every 20 days, the concentration of oxygen gases, carbon dioxide, physicochemical properties, total microbial load and sample scanning image were measured. The results showed that the best samples for maintaining the physicochemical characteristics of saffron stigma were packages containing nitrogen-rich atmosphere, so the amount of crocin and picrocrocin decreased by 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, while the amount of safranal increased by 0.3%. Also, the total microbial load decreased by one logarithmic cycle compared to the first day of storage in packages containing a vacuum atmosphere. Electron microscope images also showed that the samples under nitrogen atmosphere, like the control sample, had cell swelling and bubble-shaped particles along with cell membrane rupture and cell collapse.
Agriculture
ramin Esmi; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Alireza Koocheki; ahmad ahmadian
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of mother corm weight (including 4.1-7, 7.1-10 and 10.1-13 g) and different levels of cow manure (including 30 (control), 60 and 90 t/ha) on flower characteristics and daughter corms of saffron, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with ...
Read More
In order to investigate the effects of mother corm weight (including 4.1-7, 7.1-10 and 10.1-13 g) and different levels of cow manure (including 30 (control), 60 and 90 t/ha) on flower characteristics and daughter corms of saffron, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted during two cropping years (2012-13, 2013-14) in Zaweh county. The results of variance analysis in the first and second years showed that there were significant differences between the simple effects and the interaction effects in terms of most of the studied traits, and these differences were higher in the second year. The highest (56.8 m-2) and the lowest (41.3 m-2) flower numbers were obtained in 90 t/ha cow manure with bigger corm size ( 10.1-13 g) and 60 t/ha cow manure with smaller corm size (4.1-7 g) treatments, respectively. 60 t/ha cow manure with bigger corm size (10.1-13 g) and 60 t/ha cow manure with smaller corm size (4.1-7 g) treatments produced the highest (0.347 g.m-2) and the lowest (0.220 g.m-2) dry weight of stigma, respectively. The highest and the lowest of total number of daughter corms (504.2 and 264.7 m-2), total daughter corm yield (2677.3 and 1582.9 g.m-2) were shown in 90 t/ha cow manure with bigger corm size ( 10.1-13 g) and 30 (control) t/ha cow manure with smaller corm size (4.1-7 g) treatments, respectively. In addition, the mean comparison of interaction effect in the second year showed that there were significant differences between most of treatments. The interaction effects of studied traits in the second year showed that 90 t/ha cow manure with bigger corm size (10.1-13 g) and 30 (control) t/ha cow manure with smaller corm size (4.1-7 g) treatments produced the highest and the lowest flower number (231.0 and 156.5 m-2), stigma dry weight (2.062 and 1.053 g.m-2), total number of daughter corms (1024.5 and 505.5 m-2) and total daughter corms yield (4486.6 and 2133.1 g.m-2), respectively. Finally, it can be concluded that by increasing the use of cow manure (more than 60 t/ha) and the use of more than 7 grams mother corms, it is possible to improve the number and yield of daughter corms and these traits will increase the saffron stigma yield in the next coming years.
Biotechnology and genetics
Noraddin Hosseinpour Azad
Abstract
The existence of isoform genes in plants led to the creation of the different types of isomeric metabolites like these glycosylated forms. This study was conducted to investigate the identification and heterologous expression of Saffron stigmas Glycosyl transferase coding isoform gene during the pollination ...
Read More
The existence of isoform genes in plants led to the creation of the different types of isomeric metabolites like these glycosylated forms. This study was conducted to investigate the identification and heterologous expression of Saffron stigmas Glycosyl transferase coding isoform gene during the pollination stage. The results have been obtained by sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of an isolated gene from saffron genomes by degenerate oligo’s revealed that the gene is in1283 bp length and belongs to CsUGT protein family which has Apo- plastic secretion in the cell. to evaluate the enzymatic function, firstly the isolated sequence was sub-cloned under arabinose induce promoter in pThio-UGT expression vector by Gibson assembly technique, then the recombinant vector transformed into BL21-pGro7 bacteria which were able to express chaperon proteins with EL& ES subunits. Followed by destructing the bacteria cell wall via ultrasound, the pellet was suspended by PBS solution and then the soluble proteins were extracted by boiling method. Finally, the protein electrophoresis by SDS pages10% was showed that the recombinant protein of CsUGT expressed correctly in bacteria with 69/5 kDa molecular weight. The gained results in this project could be applied to determine the breeding's strategies to improve qualitative and quantitative traits such as color and aroma in saffron.
Other subject about saffron
Hamid Reza Tavakkoli Kakhki; Hamidreza Sharifi; Zohreh Nabipour
Abstract
In order to investigate the effects of vegetation covering and shading on the economic yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) a split–plot experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted at the Gonabad station for two cropping years (2018-2019, 2019- ...
Read More
In order to investigate the effects of vegetation covering and shading on the economic yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) a split–plot experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted at the Gonabad station for two cropping years (2018-2019, 2019- 2020). Experiments included main factor, density at four levels (90, 60, 120 and 150 corms per square meter) and sub-factors of crop residue management and shading at four levels (removal of saffron residues at the end of growing season as (control), presence of saffron residues at the end of the growing season, (control) + use of 2 (t.ha-1) barley straw and finally (control) + use of shading). Due to the nature of sub-factors, the data for the second year of growth were measured and analyzed. The results of analysis of variance showed that density and cover management had a significant effect (p≤0.01) on the vegetative characteristics of saffron (number, length and leaf area). However, the effect of density and the interaction effect of density × covering on vegetative traits had not significant effect. Also, the results of measured traits related to yield showed that the effect of corm density, covering management and the interaction of corm density × type of covering on number, flower weight and economic stigma yield were significant (p≤0.01). The highest amount of dry stigma yield and fresh weight of flowers with values of 5.16 and 411 (kg.ha-1), respectively, achieved from the treatment of 150 corms per square meter density and use of cereal straw covering and the lowest of these traits with values of 2.2 and 200 (kg.ha-1) was obtained from the density of 60 corms per square meter and control. Stepwise regression analysis for variables related to saffron economic yield showed that the number of flowers per unit area alone could explain 90.59% of the variation in saffron economic performance. Considering the positive effect of covering application on adjusting soil temperature compared to the maximum daily air temperature (at least 7%) and the simultaneous positive effect of this method of cropping management with induction of flowering stage in saffron, it seems that the use of different types of covering, especially cereal straw, is recommended to stabilize and improve saffron yield due to its low cost and easier access to covering saffron fields.
Agriculture
Elham Azizi; Leila Tabrizi
Abstract
According to the growth period of saffron, intercropping of this plant with species with similar needs can be a suitable option for better land use, provided that the allelopathy of this plant is considered. In order to investigate the allelopathic effect of saffron on quantitative and qualitative traits ...
Read More
According to the growth period of saffron, intercropping of this plant with species with similar needs can be a suitable option for better land use, provided that the allelopathy of this plant is considered. In order to investigate the allelopathic effect of saffron on quantitative and qualitative traits of some of medicinal plants, an experiment was conducted under greenhouse condition in ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Treatments were combination of 4 species (Thymus vulgaris, Zataria multiflora, Ziziphora clinopodioides and Teucrium polium and corm and leaf extracts in four levels (0, 3000, 6000, 9000 ppm) arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. Measured parameters were fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, shoot to root ratio, stomatal resistance, SPAD reading and essential oil percentage and yield. Result indicated that interaction of corm and leaf extract concentrations affected fresh weight of root and SPAD reading. Four species showed different trends in different extract concentrations. In Thymus vulgaris and Zataria multiflora, with increasing extract concentration, stomatal resistance initially increased and then decreased but other species, other species did n’t follow this trend. In total species, with increasing extract concentration, SPAD reading, initially increased and then decreased. In all species studied, except Thymus vulgaris, as extract concentration increased shoot to root ratio increased. Also, with extract concentrations, essential oil percentage decreased. In general, in all investigated species, the physiological and qualitative traits of the plant decreased with the use of saffron leaf and corm extracts.
Economics and Marketing
Mohammad Kavoosi Kalashami
Abstract
Considering the position of saffron in Iran's non-petroleum export basket, establishing proper export strategy through concentrating marketing activities in markets with high priority is inevitable. This study ranks export goal markets of different Iran's packaged saffron using annual data of 2010-2012. ...
Read More
Considering the position of saffron in Iran's non-petroleum export basket, establishing proper export strategy through concentrating marketing activities in markets with high priority is inevitable. This study ranks export goal markets of different Iran's packaged saffron using annual data of 2010-2012. To this end, three approaches of numerical taxonomy, TOPSIS and weighted riddling were applied. Results revealed that priorities for exporting different saffron powder in 10 to 30 g packages include Spain, UAE and Italy, for saffron in less than 10 g packages these priorities include Saudi Arabia and Spain, for saffron in 10 to 30 g packages (tariff code 09102013) these priorities include UAE, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Numerical taxonomy approach showed that for different saffron powder in 10 to 30 g packages Saudi Arabia and Spain, saffron in less than 10 g packages Saudi Arabia and Spain, and for saffron in 10 to 30 g packages (tariff code 09102013) United Arab of Emirates, Spain and China are heterogeneous markets. Results of TOPSIS approach showed that for exporting different saffron powder in 10 to 30 g packages and saffron in less than 10 g packages Spain is the first priority and for saffron in 10 to 30 g packages (tariff code 09102013) United Arab of Emirates is the first priority. In weighted riddling approach according to the experts' viewpoints the weight of import demand index considered as 50% and the other indices weights equal 8.3%. Results of this approach revealed that for exporting different saffron powder in 10 to 30 g packages and saffron in less than 10 g packages Spain was the first priority. Also, for exporting saffron in 10 to 30 g packages (tariff code 09102013) United Arab of Emirates was the first priority. Based on these results, for ranking markets in order to export different packaged saffron, using weighted riddling and TOPSIS methods results and for ranking homogenous markets (considering used indices) applying numerical taxonomy results were advised.
Economics and Marketing
Abbas Jalali; Reza Esfanjari Kenari; Somaye Shirzadi Laskookalayeh
Abstract
In this study, profit efficiency and its influence factors were analyzed using stochastic frontier production approach and simultaneously estimating the behavioral profit model of saffron farms. For this purpose, information from 81 farmers that were interviewed randomly in 2014 was used. The results ...
Read More
In this study, profit efficiency and its influence factors were analyzed using stochastic frontier production approach and simultaneously estimating the behavioral profit model of saffron farms. For this purpose, information from 81 farmers that were interviewed randomly in 2014 was used. The results showed that the average profit efficiency of saffron farms was 61.4 percent and 51.3 percent of saffron farms have lower profit efficiency than 50 percent. Based on the results of the frontier profit function, pesticide costs have a negative effect on the profit of saffron farms and the cost of water, machine, labor cost, years of experience, farm size and participation in promoting class are positive and have a significant effect on profit efficiency. Based on the results of this study providing the necessary conditions along with easier and cheaper access to modern equipment and also encouraging farmers to use optimal allocation and reduce costs is an effective step to improve the profitability of saffron farms.
Economics and Marketing
Alireza Karbasi; Fatemeh Rastegaripour
Abstract
With due attention to facilities, and different potentials and sources in agriculture of Torbat Heydarieh city, this region is suitable for cultivation and production of saffron. In this study comparative advantage of saffron production in Torbat Heydarieh investigated using DRC index and policy analysis ...
Read More
With due attention to facilities, and different potentials and sources in agriculture of Torbat Heydarieh city, this region is suitable for cultivation and production of saffron. In this study comparative advantage of saffron production in Torbat Heydarieh investigated using DRC index and policy analysis matrix (PAM) during 2012-13. Also in this study evaluated comparative advantage of saffron export using RCA and RSCA index. The Results showed that saffron production in Torbat Heydarieh has a comparative advantage. According to the NPC price index is higher than market price and so producers benefited from subsidies and market support. According to the EPC standard, government interventions has a positive effect on production of this crop, so was supported from input and production markets this crop. In result, NSP index was positive in all sectors. Results of these two indexes showed that Iran, Spain and Greece had preferences on export relative advantage in the world during 2004-2012. While value added of Iran saffron export is not considerable, therefore, for improving this condition, joining Iran to the WTO in order to reduce tariffs on exports, paying more attention in marketing and supplying necessary facilities such as foreign exchange support in the country was suggested.
Agriculture
Farideh Ahmadi; Mohammad Hossein Aminifard; Mahdi Khayat; Alireza Samadzadeh
Abstract
The effects of applications of humic acid and planting density on antioxidant activities and components of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were of four levels of humic acid (0, 5, 10 and 15 Kg.ha-1) and three densities of planting (50, 75 and 100 corms.m-2). The experiment was ...
Read More
The effects of applications of humic acid and planting density on antioxidant activities and components of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were of four levels of humic acid (0, 5, 10 and 15 Kg.ha-1) and three densities of planting (50, 75 and 100 corms.m-2). The experiment was designed in randomized block design with three replications at the research station of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Birjand during the growing season of 2015. Petal antioxidant compounds (antioxidan, total phenol and Anthocyanins) and active ingredients of saffron (picrocin, safranal and crocin) were influenced by humic acid and planting density treatments. The highest antioxidant activity (69.7%) was obtained in plants treated with 5 kg.ha-1 humic acid with a planting density of 50 corms.m-2. However, no significant difference was found in phenol content under different treatments. The highest anthocyanin content (46.4 mg.100 g-1) was observed in 10 kg.ha-1 humic acid with a planting density of 75 corms.m-2. Picrocin content was influenced in response to humic acid planting density and the highest value (40.60%) was obtained from 15 kg.ha-1 humic acid with a planting density of 75 corms.m-2. The highest safranal (20.1%) and crocin (55.57%) were obtained in plants treated with10 kg.ha-1 acid humic, while the lowest values were recorded in the control (15.70%) and (43.12%) respectively. Thus, the results showed that humic acid and planting density have strong impacts on antioxidant compounds and active ingredients of saffron under field conditions.
Agriculture
Ali Hossainnia; Abbas Mohammadi
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most important herbs and spices in the East of Iran and its production is affected by various pathogens. This study is aimed at isolation, identification and pathogenicity detection of Alternaria alternata isolates as leave spot and corm rot of saffron agents. Soil samples and infected ...
Read More
Saffron is one of the most important herbs and spices in the East of Iran and its production is affected by various pathogens. This study is aimed at isolation, identification and pathogenicity detection of Alternaria alternata isolates as leave spot and corm rot of saffron agents. Soil samples and infected plant tissues were collected from different areas of the Birjand plain (Birjand, Khusf and Sarbishe) during the years 2014-15. Alternaria species were isolated by potato dextrose agar medium and their morphological characteristics were studied on the potato carrot agar medium. For molecular studies, genomic DNA was extracted by the CTAB method and ribosomal subunits of fungal isolates were amplified using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Based on morphological characteristics, 80 isolates of A. alternata were isolated. The ITS regions sequences of selected isolates had 100 similarities with A. alternata spices sequences in NCBI and MycoBank. These isolates caused chlorosis and necrosis on detached leaves, the inoculated corm was rotten and inoculated plants showed chlorosis and necrosis on leaves after 3-5 days. The results showed that A. alternata in the Birjand plain can cause corm rot and leaf chlorosis and necrosis is saffron. This study is the first report of the virulence of this fungus on saffron tissue in the East of Iran.
Biotechnology and genetics
Akbar Tavakkoli; Ali Sorooshzade; Majid Ghorbani Javid
Abstract
The objectives of this research were investigated the effects of removal of lateral and main buds in different corm size on vegetative traits and yield of saffron. The research was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research field of Faculty ...
Read More
The objectives of this research were investigated the effects of removal of lateral and main buds in different corm size on vegetative traits and yield of saffron. The research was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research field of Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran-Iran, during growing season of 2012-2013. The first factor was corm size with two levels of corm weight (2-4 and 6-8 g) and the second factor was buds removal with nine levels included without bud removal, remove all lateral buds, remove all buds except main buds and one lateral bud, remove all buds except main buds and two lateral buds, remove all buds except main buds and three lateral buds, remove all buds except one lateral bud, remove all buds except two lateral buds, remove all buds except three lateral buds, remove all buds except four lateral buds. In this research, vegetative traits in the first year and reproductive traits in the second year were investigated. The results showed that by removing main bud from corm leaf length and root length were decreased. Also, there was most root length by removing all lateral buds. Overall, the results showed that bud removal could be produce large corm but main bud should not eliminated. The most appropriate the number of buds that could be remaining is 4 large buds on saffron corm.
Economics and Marketing
Hossein Mohammadi; Milad Aminizadeh; Hanane Aghasafari
Abstract
Export efficiency is the difference between actual exports and potential exports of exporting countries in destination markets, which nowadays measuring the efficiency has considerable importance in terms of export development and their competitiveness analysis. The export of saffron, as the most valuable ...
Read More
Export efficiency is the difference between actual exports and potential exports of exporting countries in destination markets, which nowadays measuring the efficiency has considerable importance in terms of export development and their competitiveness analysis. The export of saffron, as the most valuable agricultural product in the world, is of great importance to Iran, which has decreased in recent years. Therefore, its various dimensions need to be analyzed and evaluated. Due to the lack of a study on the efficiency of saffron exports, this study attempts to measure the export efficiency of Iran in 14 major saffron importers, which accounted for more than 90% of imports. To calculate the efficiency, the data of Iranian saffron exports to destination markets in the period of 2001-2017 have been estimated using a stochastic frontier gravity model. Efficiency results indicated that the efficiency of Iranian saffron exports in 2017 is equal to 0.45. The country analysis shows that Iran has the highest efficiency in Spain (0.93) and the United Arab Emirates (0.87), respectively, and has the lowest efficiency in Japan (0.07) and the United Kingdom (0.13), respectively. According to the results, the efficiency of exports in Asian markets has increased from 0.31 in 2001 to 0.41 in 2017. Considering the positive effect of the Asian regional variable and the negative role of geographical distance on Iranian saffron exports and also the change of the global network of saffron imports from Europe to Asia, it is suggested that Asian markets, which have higher competitive advantages for Iran, be considered by policymakers for saffron exports.
Agriculture
S. A. Mohammad Alavi Zadeh; Ali Monazzam Esmaeel Pour; Mahmoud Hossein Zadeh Kermani
Abstract
Saffron as the most expensive agriculture and medicinal product of world, is a plant in Consider to aridity resistant has interesting role in social and economical status of arid and semi arid of southern and Razavi Khorasan provinces. The aim of this paper, is determining the suitable area in Saffron ...
Read More
Saffron as the most expensive agriculture and medicinal product of world, is a plant in Consider to aridity resistant has interesting role in social and economical status of arid and semi arid of southern and Razavi Khorasan provinces. The aim of this paper, is determining the suitable area in Saffron cultivation with regards to effective factors. The climatic elements data were obtain from Khorasan Razavi Meteorological Organization for 1989-2012 periods. The topographic data including; relief, slope, aspect and TIN layers extracts from 1: 50000 topographic maps of the region. The land use and vegetation land cover maps were prepared using 1: 50000 maps of National soil and water Research Institute. The spatial analysis facilities of GIS were used for numerical calculation and drawing the requiring maps. A spatial geo database from region was established then spatial and description data entered on this database. Using by AHP software each layer weighted by its importance. Finally, by overlaying analysis in ArcGIS, cultivated area were classified by its capabilities .The results showed that Central and Southern Kashmar plain are the best capabilities for Saffron cultivation that in present statues, these lands specified to dry farming, irrigated farming, semi condense and condense rangelands.
Hassan Feizi; Ali Hosseini; Hossein Sahabi; Ramin Nazarian
Abstract
For evaluation of response of flower and corm yield of saffron to nanobiologic fertilizer application methods in comparison to cow manure and chemical fertilizer an experiment was conducted in Shadmehr region as randomized complete block design with 10 treatments with four replication during two years ...
Read More
For evaluation of response of flower and corm yield of saffron to nanobiologic fertilizer application methods in comparison to cow manure and chemical fertilizer an experiment was conducted in Shadmehr region as randomized complete block design with 10 treatments with four replication during two years (2014-2015 and 1015-2016). The treatments were 1. Corm inoculation with nanobiofertilizer (Bioumik product of Biozar company), 2. Corm inoculation+use in irrigation water, 3. Corm inoculation+ foliar application 4. Corm inoculation+ foliar application+use in irrigation water, 5. In irrigation water, 6. Foliar application 7. Use of chemical fertilizer (Urea, Ammonium phosphate and Potassium sulphate) 8. Use of cow manure 9. Use of chemical fertilizer +Use of cow manure and 10. Control. Studied traits were corm dry yield, flower dry yield, stigma dry and fresh yield and flower number. Based on result from third year the highest stigma dry yield (about 14 kg/ha) and flower number were achieved in Corm inoculation+ foliar application+use in irrigation water treatment (by 176 % increase in comparison to control) and the highest corm yield was seen in corm inoculation treatment (by 41 more than control). Results showed that the best method for corm improvement was corm inoculation with nanobiofertilizer and for flower improvement it is recommend to use of Corm inoculation+ foliar application+use in irrigation water.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Science and Technology
Mahboobeh Naseri; Alireza Ramandi; Farahnaz Mohammaditazeabadi
Abstract
The study of the pharmacological properties of saffron and its active ingredients is important considering the clinical and health applications that it can have in humans. Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by decreased insulin secretion due to dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas or increased ...
Read More
The study of the pharmacological properties of saffron and its active ingredients is important considering the clinical and health applications that it can have in humans. Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by decreased insulin secretion due to dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas or increased insulin resistance. The tendency to treat diabetes with herbal medicines, which have fewer side effects than chemical medicines, is spreading day by day. This study was performed for the first time to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of saffron corm on blood glucose and liver enzymes in diabetic rats. Male rats were randomly divided into healthy and sick groups without treatment and treated with doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg aqueous extract of saffron corm. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. The mortality rate decreased significantly after the injection of saffron corm extract. Doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract of saffron corm controlled weight loss in diabetic rats so that the dose of 300 mg/kg was not significant compared to control without diabetes. The results showed that injection of aqueous extract of saffron corm significantly reduced fasting blood glucose. A dose of 300 mg/kg on day 15 after induction of diabetes caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels. It seems that one of the mechanisms of the hypoglycemic effect of saffron extract, which increases insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, was due to this event. A dose of 300 mg/kg decreased hepatic enzymes AST and ALT in blood serum. The results of this research showed that the aqueous extract of saffron corm, in addition to reducing blood sugar and controlling diabetes, regulated the activity of liver enzymes.
