Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Abstract Evaluating the response of various saffron ecotypes regarding physiological and biochemical traits, as well as stigma-related characteristics, is crucial for cultivation in specific regions. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the physiological, biochemical, and stigma-related traits of five saffron ecotypes (Torqroud: EC1, Natanz: EC2, Kashan: EC3, Qaenat: EC4, and Badroud: EC5) in pots under open field conditions at the Islamic Azad University Research Farm in Ardestan in 2022, following a completely randomized design with three replications. Results indicated significant differences in yield, quality, physiological, and biochemical traits among the examined ecotypes. The EC2 ecotype was significantly superior in yield traits such as stigma diameter (2.09 mm), stigma length (2.43 cm), number of flowers (95.40 per m2), fresh flower yield (47.27 g m-2), and dry stigma yield (0.828 g m-2). The levels of safranal, picrocrocin, and crocin in the EC2, EC3, and EC4 ecotypes were significantly higher compared to other ecotypes, with the highest values of these traits observed in EC2 (53.02, 175.1, and 202.6 E_(1 cm)^(1%), respectively). The content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and total) was highest in the EC2 ecotype compared to the others. In terms of antioxidant enzyme activity, EC1 and EC4 ecotypes exhibited the highest activity. Correlation results indicated a positive relationship between yield and quality traits. Overall, this study clearly demonstrates that environmental conditions can significantly impact the quality and yield of saffron, aiding in the selection of the best ecotypes for cultivation in different regions. The EC2 ecotype is recommended for cultivation in the studied area after field trials.

Abstract This research was carried out with the aim of studying the effect of zinc and potassium levels as foliar application on quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron (Crocus sativa) in Natanz city (village Badrude) in the second year of agriculture during 2019. The experiment was done as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Elements such as KNO₃ at the levels of control (K₁), 5 in thousand (K₂) and 10 in thousand (K₃) and Zn-EDTA at the levels of control (Z₁), 5 in thousand (Z₂) and 10 in thousand (Z₃) were the treatments. The studied traits included quantitative traits of fresh and dry weight of the girl's corm, fresh and dry weight of mother corm, fresh and dry yield of the flower, fresh dry yield of the stigma, qualitative traits of Crocin, picocrocin and safranal. The results showed that K₂ and K₃ levels increased the quantitative traits, especially at K₃ level. While spraying zinc only at the Z₂ level quantitative traits increased and it had no significant effect on qualitative traits. The application of potassium fertilizer at the K₃ level along with the Z₂ had the greatest effect on increasing the quantitative traits of saffron. Perhaps one of the reasons for increasing flower yield can be attributed to the positive effects of potassium and zinc on the photosynthetic system of the plant. This increase in the amount of photosynthesis and metabolism, in turn, affects the amount of stigma production and increases  dry weight of the stigma. As a result of potassium spraying, amount of crocin and picrocrocin increased from K₁ to K₃ by 18 and 13 %, and safranal increased from K₁ to K₂ and K₃ increased by 30% and 48%, respectively. In the present study, there was a positive and significant correlation between the amount of Crocin, Picrocrocin and Safranal contents with quantitative characteristics in saffron. It can be said that quality traits are influenced by quantitative traits and yield components of saffron. Therefore, flowering and flower yield of saffron is also effective in improving its quality.