Effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm provenance on its agro-morphological traits and bioactive compounds

Abstract

A three-year field study was conducted to examine the variation in agronomic performance, apo-carotenoids content, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of saffron corms originating from nine different regions of Iran. Significant differences were observed in flowerrelated traits, corm characteristics, picrocrocin and safranal contents, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and radical-scavenging activity between saffron corms of different provenance. The largest differences were observed for the flower-related traits and corm properties. Hierarchical classification of the saffron corms of different provenance resulted in three main groups. One of the three groups (provenance: Ferdows, Sarayan, and Bajestan) had high underground and above ground yield potential and also produced significantly higher picrocrocin and TFC in comparison to the other groups. In contrary the group comprising corms from Zarand, Torbat, Natanz, and Estahban were characterized by the lowest agronomic performance, TFC as well as lowest antioxidant activity. The third group, consisting of corms from Gonabad and Qaen, 2 represented medium levels of agronomic-related traits, and the highest TPC and antioxidant ability. These results were further explored and confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA).PCA revealed positive relationships between corm properties on the one hand and flower number and stigma yield on the other hand. No relation between agronomic related traits and quality features was observed. Furthermore, the results indicated a positive relationship between total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of saffron. These results can be used for the improvement of the yield and quality as well as in programs for selection of the most suitable corms for particular production locations.

Defining Optimal Strength of the Nutrient Solution for Soilless Cultivation of Saffron in the Mediterranean

“…Mollafilabi et al (2013) in Iran, obtained the highest yield when using corms with a biomass above 10 g, compared to those between 6-10 g [33]. Corm quality is an important attribute and the environment in which they grow can affect saffron yield [34].…”

Variations in saffron quality in Morocco (Taliouine and Taznakht) according to altitude and provenance: Chemometric investigation

“…(2019) found a significant difference in picrocrocin, safranal, and crocin content between the different areas studied (Oujda, Figuig, Lgusirat, Ain Chouater). In addition, Lage and Cantrell (2009) and Ghanbari, Khajoei‐Nejadet, van Ruth et al (2019) too reported that the amounts of picrocrocin, crocin, and safranal differed significantly across samples from different provenances.…”

The Effect of 24-Epibrassinolide Treatments at Different Concentrations on Some Growth Parameters and Crocin Level in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

“…However, micropropagation protocols take a long time, labor-intensive, complex, and not repeatable. Genetic improvement of saffron by means of molecular plant breeding is difficult because it is a triploid (2n=3x=24) plant that does not produce seeds [27]. Quality of saffron depends on the content and composition of metabolites, responsible for red color, taste and flavor, which are affected by environmental conditions to which corms are exposed [28].…”

“…In the present study, EBL treatments (10 -8 and 10 -9 M) caused an increase in the number of flowers (45.0% and 41.0%, respectively) ( Table 2). It was determined in the study conducted by Ghanbari et al [27] for 3 years that single or combined applications of different types of fertilizers and Glomus mossae, a mycorrhizal fungus, affect flower number in saffron and that organic fertilizer (inoculated with Glomus mossae) is the application which increases the number of flowers most compared to other applications. While EBL hormone (10 -6 M) applied to Capsicum annuum L. by spraying method on day 15, 45 and/or 75 did not change the number of flowers compared to control [40], 10 -8 M EBL treatments performed after 15 th and 30 th days to Tagetes erecta L. days from planting with the same method led to an increase in the number of flowers [41].…”