Impact of Superabsorbent Polymer on Water Use Efficiency and Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Saffron under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

Azimi Gandomani, Mohammad

doi:10.22048/jsat.2025.475014.1538

Impact of Superabsorbent Polymer on Water Use Efficiency and Quantitative and Qualitative Traits of Saffron under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Mohammad Azimi Gandomani

Assistant Professor of Agriculture Department, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22048/jsat.2025.475014.1538

Abstract

Water deficit regimes and techniques using moisture-absorbing materials are key approaches to achieving sustainable agriculture goals and conserving water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. To evaluate the effect of superabsorbent polymers on water productivity and the quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron under deficit irrigation conditions, a field experiment was conducted over three growing seasons (2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023) in agricultural lands of Ziar, a district of Isfahan, Iran. The experiment was designed as a split-plot within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plots included three levels of irrigation (50%, 75%, and 100% of water requirement), while the subplots consisted of various levels of superabsorbent polymer application (0, 50, and 100 kg. ha-1). The results were analyzed at a 95% significance level. The findings revealed that the highest values for leaf number (25 and 34 leaves per plant), dry leaf yield (3845 and 4926 kg. ha-1), fresh flower yield (1559 and 1912 kg. ha-1), dry stigma yield (11.8 and 17.8 kg. ha-1), corm number (278 and 345 per m²), and corm yield (32.1 and 45.1 t. ha-1) were obtained in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 growing seasons under 100% irrigation combined with 100 kg. ha-1 of superabsorbent polymer application. Notably, improvements in these crop parameters were significantly greater when superabsorbent polymers were used under water-deficit conditions compared to full irrigation conditions. Furthermore, the highest water productivity was achieved under the 50% irrigation treatment combined with 100 kg. ha-1 of superabsorbent polymer, yielding 0.005 and 0.007 kg. m-3 of water. Additionally, the 75% irrigation treatment along with 100 kg. ha-1 of superabsorbent polymer resulted in the highest concentrations of crocin (13.0% and 12.4%), picrocrocin (6.6% and 5.9%), and safranal (2.6% and 2.4%) during both experimental years. Overall, the results indicated that while the highest quantitative yield of saffron was achieved with full irrigation and the application of superabsorbent polymer, the best outcomes in terms of saffron quality were observed under the 75% irrigation treatment combined with the polymer application. Considering the limited water resources in the studied area and the importance of water productivity, this treatment is recommended as the optimal approach for sustainable saffron production in regions with conditions similar to the experimental site.

Keywords

Crocin

Corm Yield

Flower Yield

Safranal

water productivity

Subjects

Agriculture

Ahmadian, A., Esmaeilian, Y., Tavassoli, A., Fernández-Gálvez, J., & Caballero-Calvo, A. (2024). Application of a superabsorbent hydrogel for improving water productivity and quality of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under water deficit conditions. Scientia Horticulturae, 336, 113411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113411.

Al-Shammary, A. A. G., Lahmod, N. R., Fern´ andez-G´ alvez, J., & Caballero-Calvo, A. (2023). Effect of tillage systems combined with plastic film mulches and fertilizers on soil physical properties in a wheat-agricultural site in southern Iraq. Cuadernos de Investigacion Geografica, 49(2): 1-13. http://doi.org/10.18172/cig.5544.

Arabi, Z., Kaboosi, K., Rezvantalab, N., & Torke Lalebagh, J. (2016). Effects of irrigation and super-absorbent hydrogels on morphological characteristics, yield and essential oil of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.). Crop Production, 8 (4), 51–66. http://doi.org/20.1001.1.2008739.1394.8.4.3.9. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Azizi Zohan, A. A., Kamgar Haghighi, A. A., & Sepaskhah, A. R. (2008). Crop and pan coefficient for saffron in a semiarid region of Iran. Journal of Arid Environments, 72, 270–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.06.001.

Behdani, M. A., Koocheki, A., Nassiri, M., & Rezvani, P. (2008). Models to predict flowering time in the main saffron production region of Khorasan province. Journal of Applied Sciences, 8, 907–909. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2008.907.909.

Besharati, J., Shirmardi, M., Meftahizadeh, H., Dehestani Ardakani, M., & Ghorbanpour, M. (2021). Changes in growth and quality performance of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in response to soil amendments with hydrogel and compost under drought stress. South African Journal of Botany, 145, 334–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.03.018.

Dastranj, M., & Sepaskhah, A. R. (2019). Saffron response to irrigation regime, salinity and planting method. Scientia Horticulturae, 251, 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.03.027.

De Juan, J. A., Lopez Corcoles, H., Munoz, R. M., & Picornell, M. R. (2009). Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping systems. Industrial Crops and Products, 30, 212–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2009.03.011.

Dehkordi, K. D. (2017). Effect of super-absorbent polymer on salt and drought resistance of Eucalyptus globulus. Applied Ecology & Environmental Research, 15 (4), 1791–1802. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1504_17911802.

El-Asmar, J., Jaafar, H., Bashour, I., Farran, M. T., & Saoud, I. P. (2017). Hydrogel banding improves plant growth, survival, and water use efficiency in two calcareous soils. Clean - Soil, Air, Water, 45 (7), 1700251. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201700251.

Esmaeilian, Y., Amiri, M. B., Tavassoli, A., Caballero-Calvo, A., & Rodrigo-Comino, J. (2022). Replacing chemical fertilizers with organic and biological ones in transition to organic farming systems in saffron (Crocus sativus) cultivation. Chemosphere, 307, 135537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135537.

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 & Biotechnology, 19 (1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-015-0083-z.

FAO. (2016). Country Water Report. Retrieved from. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. http://www.fao.org.

Firmanda, A., Fahma, F., & Syamsu, K. (2023). Factors Influencing the Biodegradability of Agro-biopolymer Based Slow or Controlled Release Fertilizer. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 31, 1706–1724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-022-02718-5.

Gorjian, S., & Ghobadian, B. (2015). Solar desalination: a sustainable solution to water crisis in Iran. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 48, 571–584.

Han, Y., Yu, X., Yang, P., Li, B., & Wang, C. (2012). Dynamic on water diffusivity of soil with superabsorbent polymer application. Environmental Earth Sciences, 69, 289-296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1956-9.

Islam, M. R., Hu, Y., Mao, S., Mao, J., Eneji, A. E., & Xue, X. (2011). Effectiveness of a watersaving super-absorbent polymer in soil water conservation for corn (Zea mays L.) based on eco-physiological parameters. Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture, 91, 1998–2005. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.4408.

Jalili, S., Hadi, M., & Majnooni Heris, A. (2017). Effect of superabsorbent polymer using on irrigated and rainfed wheat yield and yield components. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 48 (4), 923-931. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijfcs.2017.223031.654237. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Javadi, H., Moosavi, S. G. R., Seghatoleslami, M. J., & Kermani, F. (2021). Effect of organic and chemical improver’s application on yield and essential oil percentage of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) under water deficit stress conditions. Plant Products, 44 (2), 283–294. https://doi.org/10.22055/ppd.2019.30621.1806. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Jnanesha, A. C., Kumar, A., & Lal, R. K. (2021). Hydrogel application improved growth and yield in Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). Industrials and Crops Production, 174: 114175. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.114175.

Karimi, A., Noshadi, M., Ahmadzadeh, M. (2009). Effects of super absorbent polymer (igeta) on crop, soil water and irrigation interval. Science & Technology of Agriculture & Natural Resources, 12, 415-420. http://jstnar.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1132-en.html.

Koocheki, A., Ebrahimian, E., & Seyyedi, S. M. (2016). How irrigation rounds and mother corm size control saffron yield, quality, daughter corms behavior and phosphorus uptake. Scientia Horticulturae, 213, 132–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.10.028.

Lopez-Marín, J., Galvez, A., Del Amor, F. M., Albacete, A., Fernandez, J. A., Egea Gilabert, C., & Perez-Alfocea, F. (2017). Selecting vegetative/generative/dwarfing rootstocks for improving fruit yield and quality in water stressed sweet peppers. Scientia Horticulturae, 214, 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.11.012.

Madani, K. (2014). Water management in Iran: what is causing the looming crisis? Journal of Environmental Studies & Sciences, 4, 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-014-0182-z.

Mirzaei, M., Anari, M. G., Cherubin, M. R., Saronjic, N., Mousavi, S. M. N., Rooien, A., & Caballero-Calvo, A. (2024). Crop residues stimulate yield-scaled greenhouse gas emissions in maize-wheat cropping rotation in a semi-arid climate. Geography & Environment, 16 (4), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2023-2629.

Montesano, F. F., Parente, A., Santamaria, P., Sannino, A., & Serio, F. (2015). Biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogel increases water retention properties of growing media and plant growth. Agriculture & Agricultural Science Procedia, 4, 451–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaspro.2015.03.052.

Mortezavi, S. M., Tavakoli, A., Mohammadi, M. H., & Afsahi, K. (2015). Effect of superabsorbent on physiological traits and yield of wheat Azar2 cultivar under dry farming condition. Agronomy Journal (Pajouhesh & Sazandegi), 104, 118-125. https://doi.org/10.22092/aj.2015.105731. (In Persian with English Abstract).

Nassaj-Bokharaei, S., Motesharezedeh, B., Etesami, H., & Motamedi, E. (2021). Effect of hydrogel composite reinforced with natural char nanoparticles on improvement of soil biological properties and the growth of water deficit-stressed tomato plant. Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, 223, 112576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecoenv.2021.112576.

Neethu, T.M., Dubey, P. K., & Kaswala, A. R. (2018). Prospects and applications of hydrogel technology in agriculture. International Journal of Current Microbiology & Applied Sciences, 7, 3155–3162. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.369.

Rodrigo-Comino, J., Caballero-Calvo, A., Salvati, L., & Senciales-Gonzalez, J. M. (2022). Sostenibilidad de los cultivos subtropicales: claves para el manejo del suelo, el uso agrícola y la Ordenacion del Territorio. Cuadernos Geograficos, 61 (1), 150–167. https://doi.org/10.30827/cuadgeo.v61i1.22284.

Roy, T., Kumar, S., Chand, L., Kadam, D. M., Bihari, B., Shrimali, S. S., & Singh, L. (2019). Impact of Pusa hydrogel application on yield and productivity of rainfed wheat in North West Himalayan region. Current Science, 116, 1246–1251. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v116/i7/1246-1251.

Satriani, A., Catalano, M., and Scalcione, E. 2018. The role of superabsorbent hydrogel in bean crop cultivation under deficit irrigation conditions: a case-study in Southern Italy. Agricultural Water Management, 195, 114–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2017.10.008.

Wang, W., Zhao, X., Li, H., & Zhang, Q. (2021). Will social capital affect farmers’ choices of climate change adaptation strategies? Evidences from rural households in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Journal of Rural Studies, 83, 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.02.006.

Yu, J., Shi, J. G., Ma, X., Dang, P. F., Yan, Y. L., Mamedov, A. I., Shainberg, I., & Levy, G. J. (2017). Superabsorbent polymer properties and concentration effects on water retention under drying conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 81, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2016.07.0231.

Zhang, X., Chen, S., Sun, H., Pei, D., & Wang, Y. (2008). Dry matter, harvest index, grain yield and water use efficiency as affected by water supply in winter wheat. Irrigation Science, 27, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-008-0131-2.

Jalili, S., Hadi, M., & Majnooni Heris, A. (2018). Effect of superabsorbent polymer on yield and yield components of irrigated and rainfed wheat. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science, 48 (4), 923-931. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijfcs.2017.223031.654237.