Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research
Volume:4 Issue: 3, Jul 2021

One of the main challenges of saffron production under controlled environments (CE) is that when flowering ends, there is no specific plan for corm proliferation. It seems that transplanting can provide economic justification for saffron production in CE, by providing the possibility of replacement corms production. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility and effectiveness of transplanting of those corms that previously flowered in controlled condition. Research

To compare the vegetative growth of saffron between two planting methods including direct planting (DP) and transplanting (TP) an experiment was conducted. In the TP method, corms that were flowered under CE were transplanted to four plots beside the plots of DP. At the end of the growing season, leaf and replacement corms (RC) criteria were measured in both planting methods.

Leaf length and weight in DP were 19.5 and 85.1 % more than TP, respectively. Mean RC weight (4.01 vs. 2.35 g), the weight of main RC (14.22 vs. 9.56 g), and number of buds with flowering potential (1.87 vs. 1.28 No. per corm), in DP was more than TP. The number of RC (524 vs. 612 corms per m2) was higher in TP, while RC yield (2093 vs. 1432 g m2) was more in DP method. The percentage of large RC (> 9g) in DP and TP was 19.8 and 6.5 %, respectively. Also, 68 and 32 % of RC yields were belonged to large corms, in DP and TP methods, respectively. Limitations: This study was one of the first studies on saffron transplanting, and the methodologies should be improved in future studies to gain more favorable results.

It was concluded that transplanting of those corms which were flowered under CE is possible, and at least one-third of the RC yield was at the desired weight.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a strategic medicinal and spice plant in the world. This study aimed to determine saffron stigma quality obtained from different regions of Herat province in Afghanistan. Research

The experiment was contacted at the food technology lab, faculty of agriculture, Herat University, in 2018. The experiment was set up on a completely randomize design (CRD) with twenty replications. Saffron stigma samples were collected from different parts of Herat province (Ghoryan, Phashton Zarghon, Gozarah districts, and producer companies), and then transferred to the laboratory for determining the saffron quality parameters such as crocins, picrocrocin and safranal using spectrophotometer.

Results showed that the amounts of picrocrocin and safranal were significantly different between stigmas produced in different regions, but there was no significant difference in terms of crocin. The highest amounts of picrocrocin (104.50ϕ 257nm) and safranal (34.95 θ330nm) were recorded in the stigma samples collected from production companies, while the highest amount of crocin (236.95 ω 440nm) obtained from Pashton  Zarghon sample. Evaluation of mentioned qualitative attributes among saffron samples and their comparison with ISO 3632 standard showed that all samples were desirable in terms of crocin (>190 ω 440nm), picrocrocin (>70 ϕ257nm) and safranal (>20 θ 330nm), which were laid in (I) category.

There was no limitations to report. Originality/Value: This research is one of the first reports on saffron quality produced in Herat.

To prevent chemical toxicity, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles has been proposed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly reducing agent option by corm extract of Crocus sativus var. Haussknechtii and as well as, evaluate their effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Research

Silver nanoparticles were produced in the presence of secondary metabolites of this plant. The nanoparticles were then identified using the technique ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM).The antibacterial properties were used against two microorganisms, S. aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli (Gram-negative), using the agar well propagation method.

The observation of the peak at 450 nm in the UV-Vis spectra for corm synthesized silver nanoparticles reveals the reduction of silver metal ions into silver nanoparticles. The optimum pH and AgNO3 concentrations were 9 and 4 mM, respectively. FESEM images detected the spherical Ag-NPs shape with diverse sizes ranged within 70.70–192.02 nm. Additionally, based on the antibacterial test that has been done for nanoparticles, the mean diameter of the inhibition zone after exposure to S. aureus and E. coli was 22.67±0.58 and 20.00±00 mm, respectively. Limitations: There was no significant limitation to report. 

The corm extract of C. haussknechtii is a promising agent for the biosynthesis of almost spherical silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles show good Inhibition activity in different concentrations. The AgNPs synthesized by corm extract in high concentrations are found to be high antibacterial activity against two bacterial organisms. This indicates that the increase in nanoparticle diameter is directly related to antimicrobial properties.

Plants are naturally influenced by magnetic fields. On the other hand, the application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles may improve the quantitative and qualitative traits of plants. Research

The effect of magnetic field and nano and bulk-TiO2 was studied on the yield of saffron in Nishabur County, Iran. The treatments included 5-mT magnetic field (at three levels of control, exerted magnet tapes into substrate, and the 24-hour exposure of the corms to the magnets) and TiO2 (at five levels of 0 as control, 1000 and 2000 ppm nanosized-TiO2, and 1000 and 2000 ppm bulk TiO2). During the growing season petal fresh and dry weight, flower fresh weight, stigma dry weight and corm weight were recorded.  

The results showed that studied traits were significantly (p  < 0.01) influenced by the magnetic field and nano-TiO2. The highest stigma dry weight was related to the treatment of 2000 ppm nano-TiO2 and 48-hour exposure to the magnetic field, showing an insignificant difference with 1000 ppm nano-TiO2. Application of TiO2 nanoparticles in 2000 ppm increased stigma dry weight by 14.7 % and corm weight by 51 % compared to the control. Exposure of corms to magnetic field in planting media and pretreatment with it, increased corm weight by 13.6 and 26 % in comparing to control, respectively. Limitations: No limitations were founded.

According to the results, it is possible to use magnetic fields and TiO2 nanoparticles to stimulate the growth of corms and flower of saffron.

The efficiency of callus induction as source of bioactive compound is a critical step in the cell suspension culture for commercial production of important secondary metabolites. One of the main factors affecting callus efficiency is the developmental stage of explants. On the other hands, it has been declared that the optimization of medium composition has a significant influence on callogenesis and increment of biomass.  Research

The aim of this study was the evaluation of different developmental stages of saffron corms as a source of explant preparation (immature and mature corms), plant growth regulators (PGRs) combinations (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA); 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 6-Benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (Kin)) and type of medium (Gamborg (B5) medium and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium) in callus induction in saffron corms to increase cell biomass. The media were supplemented with different combinations of 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid or 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 8 mgL-1) as auxins and 6-Benzyladenine or kinetin (1, 4, 8 mgL-1) as cytokinin.

The results showed that mature corms harvested in May had the best developmental stage for callogenesis. The maximum callus formation was recorded in B5 medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (4 mgL-1) and kinetin (1 mgL-1) with 2.61 g fresh weight. Limitations: No limitations to report. 

This protocol for sampling explant and callus formation was found to make suitable sources of plant material for further study in production of bioactive compounds via cell suspension cultures.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimal amounts of cow manure and fulvic acid and the interaction effects of inputs on the yield of saffron in the second growing season. Research

In this research, a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications was conducted in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 growing seasons, in the University of Birjand, Iran. Experimental factors included cow manure in four levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 t.ha-1) and fulvic acid plus some micronutrients in three levels (0, 5, and 10 kg.ha-1).

The results in the second year showed that the effect of cow manure was significant on flower number per m2 and total fresh flower yield and dry stigma yield so that the highest total fresh flower yield (32.081 g.m2) and dry stigma yield (0.325 g.m2) obtained in the treatment of 20 t.ha-1 cow manure and the lowest amount of these traits observed in the control (no-fertilization). The application of 10 kg.ha-1 fulvic acid led to the highest mean flower weight (0.512 g) and stigma yield (0.035 g.plant-1). The results of interaction effects showed that simultaneous application of cow manure and fulvic acid had a significant effect on fresh flower yield and the highest amount of these traits (33.613 g.m2) obtained in the combined application of 20 t.ha-1 cow manure and 10 kg.ha-1 fulvic acid. In general, it seems that separate and simultaneous application of optimal amounts of cow manure and fulvic acid, while improving the reproductive characteristics and yield of saffron, can guarantee the healthy and sustainable production of this valuable medicinal.

There was no significant limitation to the research. Originality/Value: This research evaluates the simultaneous application of eco-friendly inputs of cow manure and fulvic acid on reproductive characteristics and yield of saffron which has been less studied.

Given the rising number of novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) cases, the purpose of the present study was to explore saffron bioactive compounds against COVID-19 since saffron is used in fever, bronchitis, cold, respiratory disorders and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Research

COVID-19 engages the host cell surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD). The idea was to check atomistic interaction of these bioactive molecules with ACE2 for obstructing its interaction with RBD, in order to screen and assess the likelihood of these molecules for drug development. Based on ligands' molecular weight, we chose smaller bioactive molecules (picrocrocin, safranal, lutein) for interaction with cell ACE2 of the host.

Flexible molecular docking followed by atomic level interaction study indicated that lutein and picrocrocin form various interactions with different amino acid residues of ACE2. In depth analysis revealed that these interactions with the majority of the residues of ACE2 could be crucial for RBD binding and, therefore, can disrupt the interaction between RBD and ACE2. The study provides a hit for further analysis using in vitro, animal models and clinical studies. Limitations: In this study dynamic approaches such as molecular dynamics and semiemperical quantum mechanical (SQM) methods have not been used.

By preventing the interaction of RBD with ACE2, lutein and picrocrocin may prove helpful in the development of therapeutics for COVID-19 management.

This experiment aimed find the relationship between morphological, physiological traits, metabolites, with SSR markers. Research

To investigate the relationship between quantitative traits and SSR (Simple sequence repeat) markers, an experiment was conducted under both field and laboratory conditions at Zanjan University. In this experiment, 20 SSR primers were used and agronomic and physiological traits with secondary metabolites were measured during the growing season.

Amplified primers generated a total of 38 bands and the average number of bands in all locus was 2.38 bands. The highest number of alleles (5 alleles) and the polymorphic information content (0.9) were for the A2 primer. The stepwise regression analysis results showed that the studied primers (10 primers) had a significant relationship with most traits and the highest R2 in the first year was harvest index (79%), dry weight of stigma (69%), fresh weight of flower (62%), and yield (62%). In the second year, harvest index (67%), number of leaves (65%), number of flowers (61%), and yield (64%) had the highest coefficient of determination. The C25 and C50 primers were associated with 5 and 4 quantitative traits in 2014 and 4 and 3 quantitative traits in 2015, respectively. The C25 and C50 primers identified 2 and 3 alleles in the study population respectively, and considering the number of identified loci, it can be considered as the important primers concerning quantitative traits. The A8, A10, A48 and A2 primers were associated with at least more than 4 traits during the two years of experiment. According to the observed relationship, these marker loci can be used to select ecotypes with marker-assisted in saffron populations. Limitations: No limitations to report.

C50, C25, A8, A2, and C36 primers are candidate markers in marker-assisted selection saffron breeding programs.

Purpose of this paper is to highlight policy initiatives of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Govt of India and research support of SKUAST-Kashmir India, that has not only given stability to the saffron area, production and productivity but has also opened new options for promoting saffron cultivation in new areas that is expected to increase saffron production to 104000 kg.

Standardized descriptors of Kashmir saffron has facilitated seeking of Geographical Indication Tag to Kashmir Saffron and is a step forward towards promotion of authenticated quality brand “Kashmir Saffron”. Good Agricultural Practices for enhancing productivity and quality through integrated value chain involving plantation of graded corms weighing above 8 g with integration of micro and macro nutrients, composts, farm yard manures, initial corm dressing with fungicides followed by hygienic post-harvest handling have been standardized ensuring yield and quality gains. Ethymethyl Sulphonate and Colchicine have been identified as potent mutagens for creation of genetic variability. In vitro micropropagation involving different growth regulators, growth retardants and sucrose as energy source have been standardized.

Decline in saffron area over the years due to urbanization of saffron heritage site and diversification to other commercial activities is a major concern for growth of saffron Industry.

Climate change over the years have become a serious threat for the saffron industry therefore future research needs to be focused on to mitigate the ill effects and to ensure the adaptabilities studies of all the developed modules under changed environment so as to ensure sustainability and profitable of saffron farming system. Research priorities needs to be focused on quality promotion and marketing under one roof processing, quality testing and e-trading.