Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Saffron Agronomy and Technology

The Study of Growth Indices and Allocation Trend of Photoassimilates Between Different Parts of Saffron under the Influence of Corm Weight and Agricultural Inputs

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Hamid-reza Fallahi 1, 2
Mahsa Aghhavani Shajari 3
hossein sahabi 4, 5
Hassan Feizi 6, 5
1 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran
2 Plant and Environmental Stresses Research Group, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran
5 Saffron Institute, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran
6 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran
10.22048/jsat.2024.466517.1536
Abstract
Evaluating the allocation trend of photoassimilates during the saffron growing season can lead to the identification of the key periods of plant growth. It is possible to improve the growth of the corm and ultimately increase the flowering of saffron by applying agricultural management according to the growth period. In this research, the allocation of photoassimilates between different organs of saffron under the influence of the mother corm weight (less than 4, 4-8, and 8-12 g) and the integrated and time-scheduled application of inputs (low-input and high-input), were investigated in a factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The maximum root weight was gained around 20th January (70 days after the first autumn irrigation) and the maximum leaf weight was observed on 29th February, and then it decreased, but after this date, the growth rate of the corm increased and reached its maximum value in the last month of the growing season. In all treatments, most of the mother corm reserves were consumed in the first 100 days after the first autumn irrigation, which coincides with mid-January. The production of replacement corms and their total weight accelerated 140 days after the first autumn irrigation, and its maximum amount (655 No. and 4148 g.m-2, respectively) was obtained at the end of the growing season in the conditions of planting of big corms + high-input system. The highest mean weight of replacement corms (7.8 g) at the end of the growing season was obtained through planting of large mother corms + low-input system, while by planting small mother corms, the high input system increased the mean replacement corm weight. In all treatments, the highest corm growth rate was observed in the last month of the growing season (approximately 170 days after the first autumn irrigation). The total plant weight was strongly influenced by the weight of the mother corms, with no significant differences observed between the two input application levels. The highest crop growth rate (CGR) occurred in the final month of plant growth, reaching a maximum of 74.3 g.m⁻² day⁻¹ under the combination of large corm planting and a high-input system. The plant's relative growth rate (RGR) increased during the time intervals of 100–140 and 180–200 days after the first autumn irrigation. There was no significant difference between the treatments in terms of the duration of the active period of corm filling, and it was about 45 days. At the end of the growing season, the highest and lowest levels of photoassimilate remobilization (reallocation) from leaves to replacement corms (1016 kg.ha⁻¹ and 220 kg.ha⁻¹, respectively) were observed with the planting of large corms combined with a high-input system and small corms combined with a high-input system. The maximum remobilization efficiency (56.2%) was achieved by planting 4–8 g mother corms and using the high-input system. According to the results of this study, the final month of saffron growth was identified as the most critical period for the corm growth rate.
Keywords
High input system
Corm growth rate
Remobilization
Relative growth rate
stigma

Subjects

Abbasi, A. (2017). Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and humic acid application on growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) replacement corms under two Irrigation regimes. MSc Thesis, University of Zabol. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Aghhavani-Shajari, M., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Koocheki, A., Fallahi, H. R., & Taherpour Kalantari, R. (2015). Evaluation of the effects of soil texture on yield and growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 2 (4), 311-322. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Amirshekari, H., Sorooshzadeh, A., Modaress Sanavy, A. M., & Jalali Javaran, M. (2008). Effects of root-zone temperature, corm size, and gibberellin on vegetative growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Agricultural Science & Natural Resources, 14 (5), 1-8. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Askary, M., Behdani, M. A., Mollaei, H., & Fallahi, H. R. (2023). Evaluation of the effects of organic and conventional cultivation practices on phytochemical and anti-cancer activities of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Agrcultural Science & Technology, 25 (1), 139-154.
Azizi, E., Jahani Kondori, M., & Divan, R. (2013). The effect of soil physiochemical characteristics and field age on agronomic traits of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Agroecology, 5 (2), 134-142.
Behdani, M. A., & Fallahi, H. R. (2015). Saffron: Technical Knowledge Based on Research Approaches. University of Birjand Press, Birjand, Iran. [In Persian].
Behdani, M. A., Jami Al-ahmadi, M., & Fallahi, H. R. (2016). Biomass partitioning during the life cycle of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) using regression models. Journal of Crop Sciences & Biotechnology, 19 (1), 71-76.
Fallahi, H. R., Zamani, G., Mehrabani, M., Aghhavani-Shajari, M., & Samadzadeh, A. (2016). Influence of superabsorbent polymer rates on growth of saffron replacement corms. Journal of Crop Science & Biotechology, 19 (1), 77-84.
Fallahi, H. R., Aghhavani Shajari, M., Sahabi, H., & Feizi, H. (2017). Mother corm weight and soil amendment improves the vegetative and reproductive growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Medicinal & Spice Plants, 22 (3), 110-114.
Fallahi, H. R., & Mahmoodi, S. (2018a). Impact of water availability and fertilization management on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) biomass allocation. Journal of Horticulture & Postharvest Research, 1 (2), 131-146.
Fallahi, H. R., & Mahmoodi, S. (2018b). Influence of organic and chemical fertilization on growth and flowering of saffron under two irrigation regimes. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 6 (2), 147- 166. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Fallahi, H. R., & Mahmoodi, S. (2018c). Evaluation of the impacts of water availability and nutritional management on some physiological indices and saffron replacement corms growth. Final report of research project, University of Birjand. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Fallahi, H. R., Aghhavani Shajari, M., Sahabi, H., & Feizi, H. (2018a). Posibility of increasing the weight of saffron corm through integrated and timed management of agricultural inputs. Final Report of Research Project, Saffron Inistitu, University of Torbat Heydarieh. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Fallahi, H. R., Aghhavani-Shajari, M., Hammami, H., Hashemi, S. S., Zarei, E., Kadkhodaei Barkook, R., & Mohammadi, B. (2018b). Allocation of photoassimilates in different parts of saffron during growing season. 7th National Congress of Medicinal Plants. 12-14 May, Shiraz. p. 98.
Feizi, H., Seyyedi, S. M., & Sahabi, H. (2015). Effect of corm planting density, organic and chemical fertilizers on formation and phosphorus uptake of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) replacement corms during phonological stages. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 2 (4), 289- 301. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Gholami, M., Kafi, M., & Khazaei, H. R. (2017). Study of the relations of sink and source in saffron by means of correlation coefficients under different irrigation and fertilization levels. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 5 (3), 195- 210. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Hassanzadeh Aval, F., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Bannayan aval, B., & Khorasani, R. (2013). Effects of maternal corm weight and different levels of cow manure on corm and flower yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 1 (1), 22-39.
Hokmalipour, S., & Seyyed Sharifi, R. (2016). Effect of Seed Inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobactria on dry matter remobilization of spring barley at different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Iranian Journal of soil Research, 29 (4), 407-426. (In Persian with English Abstract).
IMA (Iran Ministry of Agriculture). (2023). Agricultural Statistics Report of Year 2022, Volume 3: Horticultural and Greenhoyse Products, p. 401. (In Persian).
Khavari, A. (2013). Effects of planting methods and corm weight on yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Qaenat region. MSc. Thesis, University of Birjand. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Khorramdel, S., Gheshm, R., Amin Ghafori, A., & Esmaielpour, B. (2014). Evaluation of soil texture and superabsorbent polymer impacts on agronomical characteristics and yield of saffron. Journal of Saffron Research, 1 (2), 120-135. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Koocheki, A., Fallahi, H. R., Amiri, M. B., & Ehyaei, H. R. (2016a). Effects of humic acid application and mother corm weight on yield and growth of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Journal of Agroecology, 7 (4), 425-442. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Koocheki, A., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Fallahi, H. R., & Aghhavani Shajari, M. (2016b). The study of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) replacement corms growth in response to planting date, irrigation management and companion crops. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 4 (1), 3-18. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Koocheki, A., & Seyyedi, S. M. (2015). Phonological stages and formation of replacement corms of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) during growing period. Journal of Saffron Research, 3 (2), 134-135. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Lopez-Corcoles, H., Brasa-Ramos, A., Montero-García, F., Romero-Valverde, M., & Montero-Riquelme, F. (2015). Phenological growth stages of saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) according to the BBCH Scale. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 13 (3), 1-7.
Molina, R. V., Valero, M., Navarro, Y., Guardiola, J. L., & Garcia-Luice, A. (2005). Temperature effects on flower formation in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Scientia Horticulture, 103, 361-379.
Mollafilabi, A. (2014). Effect of new cropping technologies on growth characteristics, yield, yield components of flower and corm criteria of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Ph.D. Dessertation, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian with Englsih Abstract).
Mosafery Zyaaldiny, H., Alizadeh, A., & Rezvani Moghaddam, P. (2021). Effect of irrigation regimes on crop water use efficiency of saffron (Case study: the Bakharz region of Khorasan Razavi, Iran). Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 8 (4), 497-510. (In Persian with Englsih Abstract).
Nassiri Mahallati, M., Koocheki, A., Boroumand Rezazadeh, Z., & Tabrizi, L. (2008). Effects of corm size and storage period on allocation of assimilates in different parts of saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.). Iranian Journal of Field Crops Journal, 5 (1), 1-12. (In Persian with Englsih Abstract).
Renau-Morata, B., Nebauer, S., Sanchez, R., & Molina, R. (2012). Effect of corm size, water stress and cultivation conditions on photosynthesis and biomass partitioning during the vegetative growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Industrial Crops & Products, 39, 40-46.
Rezvani Moghaddam, P., Koocheki, A., Molafilabi, A., & Seyyedi, S.M. (2013). The effects of different levels of applied wheat straw in different dates on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) daughter corms and flower initiation criteria in the second year. Saffron Agronomy & Technology, 1 (1), 55- 70. (In Persian with English Abstract).
Rezvani Moghaddam, P. (2020). Ecophysiology of Saffron (pp: 119-137). In: Saffron: Science, Technology and Health (Edited by: Koocheki, A., Khajeh-Hosseini, M). Elsevier.
Sabet-Teimouri, M., Kafi, M., Avarseji, Z., & Orooji, K. (2010). Effect of drought stress, corm size and corm tunic on morphoecophysiological characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in greenhouse conditions. Journal of Agroecology, 2 (2), 323-334. (In Persian with English Abstract).