دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Evaluating the Long-Term Relationship between Saffron Performance and Climate Change ارزیابی رابطه بلند مدت عملکرد زعفران و تغییرات اقلیم 182 192 3218 10.22077/jsr.2025.8533.1253 FA زینب معین الدینی کارشناس اقتصادی، اجتماعی و ترویجی مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی خراسان جنوبی، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0001-8622-6358 سمیه الیاسی راد محقق بخش جنگل و مرتع مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی خراسان جنوبی، بیرجند، ایران. اعظم گیدسکی کارشناس زراعی و باغی مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی خراسان جنوبی، بیرجند، ایران. 0009-0005-5841-1544 Journal Article 2024 12 09 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Iran, renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, stands as a global leader in saffron production. This vibrant red spice, prized for its culinary and medicinal properties, plays a pivotal role in the country's economy, contributing significantly to non-oil exports and supporting rural livelihoods. Saffron cultivation is deeply intertwined with the socio-economic fabric of Iran, providing employment opportunities, ensuring food security, and contributing to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the agricultural sector, including saffron production, faces mounting pressure from climate change, characterized by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events. Understanding the intricate relationship between saffron performance and these climate variables is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this vital crop. This study aims to investigate the long-term dynamics between saffron yield, producer prices, and key climatic factors, including rainfall, temperature, and wind speed, in Iran from 2010 to 2023.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> The study employs time-series data from meteorological and agricultural databases. Variables include saffron yield (kg/ha), annual rainfall (mm), average temperature (°C), wind speed (m/s), and producer price (IRR). Unit root tests establish data stationarity, while co-integration tests confirm long-term relationships among variables. The VECM captures the short- and long-term effects of atmospheric factors on saffron yield. Analytical tools, including EViews 13 software, ensure the reliability of the results.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion:</strong>  The empirical results reveal a complex interplay between saffron yield, producer prices, and climate variables. Rainfall emerges as a significant positive driver of saffron yield, with higher rainfall levels generally leading to increased production. This finding aligns with the physiological requirements of saffron, which necessitates adequate moisture for growth and development. Conversely, both average annual temperature and wind speed exert a negative influence on saffron yield. Rising temperatures, particularly during critical growth stages, can lead to heat stress, reducing plant vigor and flower production. Similarly, high wind speeds can cause physical damage to plants, such as flower breakage and pollination disruption, negatively impacting yield. The analysis also reveals a significant inverse relationship between producer prices and saffron yield. When saffron prices increase, farmers may be incentivized to shift their resources towards alternative crops with higher profit margins, resulting in a decline in saffron production. This economic behavior highlights the importance of stable and predictable market conditions for supporting saffron cultivation. The estimated VECM model demonstrates a high degree of statistical significance, with an R-squared value of 0.88, indicating that the model explains a substantial proportion of the variation in saffron yield. This finding underscores the robustness of the model and the importance of the identified factors in influencing saffron production.<br />The findings of this study have significant implications for saffron production in Iran and beyond. The positive impact of rainfall highlights the vulnerability of saffron cultivation to drought conditions and the importance of water management strategies, such as efficient irrigation and rainwater harvesting. Rising temperatures pose a significant challenge to saffron production, necessitating the development of heat-tolerant varieties and adaptation measures such as shade netting and improved irrigation techniques. Similarly, strategies to mitigate the negative effects of wind, such as windbreaks and sheltered cultivation practices, are crucial for enhancing productivity. The inverse relationship between producer prices and yield underscores the importance of stable and predictable market conditions for supporting saffron cultivation. Price stabilization measures, such as price support programs or futures markets, could help mitigate the risk of price fluctuations and encourage farmers to continue saffron production. These findings also highlight the need for a multi-pronged approach to address the challenges of climate change and economic pressures on saffron production.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion</strong>: The findings highlight the critical intersection of climate change and saffron production in Iran. To ensure sustainability, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Policymakers should promote adaptive measures, including introducing resilient saffron varieties, providing financial safeguards, and fostering collaboration between agricultural experts and meteorologists. These strategies will not only stabilize saffron yields but also secure the livelihoods of farmers amidst evolving climatic challenges. با توجه به اهمیت روز افزون تغییرات آب­و­هوایی بر تولیدات زراعی و وابستگی میزان عملکرد محصولات کشاورزی به نزولات جوی به ویژه محصولات زراعی، استفاده ازاطلاعات جوی، در زمینه بارندگی و دما در طی چند سال گذشته مفید به نظر می­رسد. به منظور بررسی روابط بلند مدت بین عملکرد زعفران، قیمت تولید کننده، بارندگی سالیانه، دمای متوسط سالیانه و سرعت وزش باد از روش هم­انباشتگی جوهانسن-جوسیلیوس و الگوی تصحیح خطای برداری(VECM)  طی سال­های 1389-1402 استفاده شده است. نتایج حاصل از تخمین تابع بلندمدت مدل نشان می­دهد که عملکرد زعفران تحت تاثیر عوامل جوی مانند بارش سالیانه، سرعت وزش باد و درجه حرارت متوسط است که از این میان بارندگی اثر مثبت بر عملکرد داشته است، همچنین قیمت تولید کننده نیز بر عملکرد این محصول تاثیر داشته است. بنابراین نیاز است سیاست­هایی در این زمینه اعمال شود تا بتوان با اطلاع رسانی به موقع از شرایط جوی کشاورزان را در بدست آوردن عملکرد بالاتر این محصول حمایت کرد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3218_b0169350cd35566c47ba83c6ec1d6f82.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Effect of Some Hormones and Carbon Nanotube Concentrations on Optimizing Saffron Callus Formation تاثیر برخی هورمون‌ها و غلظت‌های نانولوله کربنی در بهینه‌سازی کالوس‌زایی زعفران 193 207 3236 10.22077/jsr.2025.8420.1245 FA مهسا فاضل دانش آموخته دکتری ژنتیک و به نژادی گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زنجان، زنجان، ایران. محمد آرمین استاد، گروه زراعت و اصلاح نباتات‌، واحد سبزوار‌، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی‌، سبزوار، ایران. Journal Article 2024 11 14 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Saffron, a member of the lily family, is highly valued for its low water requirements, potential for job creation, and medicinal properties. Despite the high costs associated with traditional saffron cultivation, the use of tissue culture is recommended to enhance cultivation practices and produce disease-free seedlings. In vitro cultivation can significantly boost the production rate of new seedlings, with success largely dependent on the hormonal composition used. Additionally, carbon nanotubes, which have various applications in biology, have demonstrated a positive impact on plant growth. This study employs the response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the saffron culture medium with carbon nanotubes and to identify the appropriate hormonal composition.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This research was conducted using in vitro culture techniques and a RSM design, comprising four replications. The factors investigated included concentrations of 2,4-D (0.2-0.5 mg/L), BAP (1.5-6 mg/L), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (30-70 μg/mL). The culture medium and equipment were sterilized in an autoclave at 120°C and 1.5 atmospheres. Pedicel shells were removed, washed, and then immersed in Vitex solution for 30 minutes. The explants were placed in culture dishes and maintained under controlled light and temperature conditions. After five weeks, callus induction characteristics, such as callus induction percentage, diameter, and fresh weight, were measured. The Box-Benken statistical design was utilized for data analysis, and necessary transformations were applied based on software recommendations. A quadratic function was generally selected for the fitted model, even in cases of non-significance, and response surface curves along with contour diagrams were used to interpret the interaction effects of the traits. Tissue culture optimization aimed at maximizing callus formation, fresh weight, and diameter, with the highest model fitness identified as the optimal environment<br /><strong>Results and Discussion:</strong> The study's findings indicated that the concentrations of nanocarbon and 2,4-D significantly affected the number of calluses produced. At lower concentrations of 2,4-D, increasing BAP resulted in a higher number of calluses, while at higher concentrations, this effect remained positive. The maximum number of calluses was achieved with specific combinations of 2,4-D and BAP concentrations. High levels of BAP and carbon nanotubes increased the callus production percentage to 174%, whereas at lower concentrations, it was below 85%. The ratios exhibited a saddle function, with the highest number of calluses observed at low concentrations of 2,4-D and nanocarbon. Additionally, the linear effects of 2,4-D and carbon nanotube concentrations were significant at the 1% level, while the effect of BAP was not significant. Elevated concentrations of 2,4-D negatively impacted callus diameter, whereas increasing nanocarbon at high concentrations contributed to an increase in diameter. Ultimately, raising the concentration of 2,4-D led to an increase in callus induction percentage from 79.68% to 92.185%, although high concentrations had a detrimental effect. The highest callus induction percentage was noted with a specific combination of 2,4-D and carbon nanotubes.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The experimental results demonstrated that carbon nanotubes and the hormones BAP and 2,4-D significantly influenced saffron callus induction. High concentrations of 2,4-D exhibited the most substantial effect on the number of calluses produced. Furthermore, the application of BAP hormone up to a certain concentration increased callus number, but higher concentrations resulted in a decrease. Finally, the percentage of callus induction was positively affected by carbon nanotubes, while other characteristics did not show significant effects به منظور بهینه‌سازی کالوس‌زایی زعفران در غلظت‌های مختلف هورمونی در شرایط حضور نانولوله‌های کربنی، آزمایشی در قالب روش‌شناسی سطح پاسخ در آزمایشگاه بیوتکنولوژی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد سبزوار انجام شد. صفات مورد بررسی شامل تعداد کالوس، قطر کالوس، وزن کالوس، درصد القا کالوس و فاکتورها شامل غلظت‌های هورمون 2-4-D (5/0 -2 میلی‌گرم در لیتر)،BAP (0- 5/1 میلی‌گرم در لیتر) و غلظت‌های نانولوله کربنی چند جداره (0-50 میکروگرم در میلی‌لیتر) در این آزمایش بودند. نتایج برازش مدل رگرسیونی نشان داد که تابع درجه دو برازش مناسبی برای تعداد کالوس، قطر کالوس، وزن تر کالوس و درصد کالوس‌زایی بود. بیشترین درصد کالوس‌زایی در غلظت 5/0 میلی مولار2-4-D و 25میلی‌گرم نانولوله کربنی مشاهده شد. در غلظت‌های پایین 2-4-D، افزایش مقدار نانولوله کربنی سبب کاهش درصد القاء کالوس اما در غلظت‌های بالای 2-4-D سبب افزایش درصد القاء کالوس شد. تغیرات تعداد، وزن و قطر کالوس در برابر غلظت‌های مختلف 2-4-D و BAP تقریبا مشابه بود، به نحوی که هم در غلظت‌های پایین و هم در غلظت‌های بالا افزایش غلظت BAP سبب افزایش صفات مورد بررسی شد. تعداد، وزن و قطر کالوس با افزایش غلظت نانولوله‌های کربنی در حضورBAP افزایش نشان داد. در مجموع نتایج بهینه‌سازی آزمایش نشان داد که بالاترین قطر کالوس( 81/18 میلی‌متر، وزن کالوس 26/0 میلی‌گرم و القاء (کالوس 92/91%) در شرایط مصرف 5/0 میلی‌مولار 2-4-D  ، 5/1 میلی‌مولار BAP،94/28 میلی‌گرم نانولوله کربنی چند جداره مشاهده شد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3236_ddcb155487b88aaa80aed158006bdbdf.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as a Promising Complementary Treatment for Depression: A Review of Basic and Clinical Studies زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) به عنوان درمان مکمل نویدبخش برای افسردگی: مروری بر مطالعات بنیادی و بالینی 208 226 3252 10.22077/jsr.2025.8449.1250 FA سمیرا علی دانش آموخته دکترای فیزیولوژی گیاهان زراعی پردیس کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران و دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد روانشناسی بالینی موسسه غیرانتفاعی ناصر خسرو ساوه، ساوه، ایران 0000-0002-2697-4140 Journal Article 2024 11 24 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Depression is a mood disorder that has profound effects on both mental and physical health, leading to decreased quality of life, cognitive issues, and increased susceptibility to various diseases. Current treatments mainly depend on pharmaceutical medications, which can have associated side effects. In this context, the use of natural remedies, including medicinal plants such as saffron, has gained attention for their potential in alleviating depression symptoms. Saffron, known for its calming, anti-anxiety, and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a promising natural treatment option for depression.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2019 and 2024. The search terms included "saffron and depression," "crocin and depression," "saffronal and depression," and "saffron compounds and mood disorders." Studies were included if they focused on the effects of saffron and its compounds on depression, with full-text access available. Studies that only contained abstracts or were written in languages other than English were excluded.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion:</strong> The reviewed studies indicate that saffron and its active compounds, particularly crocin and safranal, exhibit significant antidepressant effects. These effects are attributed to the modulation of neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA, as well as the reduction of inflammation and the increase in antioxidant activity within the brain. Moreover, saffron has been shown to positively influence the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurogenesis, further contributing to the reduction of depression symptoms. In preclinical animal models, saffron’s antidepressant effects were demonstrated through behavioral tests such as the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), where saffron-treated animals showed significant improvements in depressive behaviors. The antidepressant effects of saffron can be attributed to several neurobiological mechanisms. Crocin and safranal, two of saffron’s primary bioactive compounds, act by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, thereby increasing their availability in the brain. Additionally, saffron has antioxidant properties that protect neurons from oxidative damage, and it regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a key role in stress and mood regulation. Furthermore, saffron’s impact on neuroinflammation and its ability to modulate neurotransmitter systems like GABA and glutamate contribute to its antidepressant effects. These mechanisms collectively help improve neuronal plasticity and restore mood balance, making saffron a promising adjunctive treatment for depression.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Saffron appears to be a promising natural remedy for alleviating depression, particularly in cases where conventional treatments have been insufficient. Its active compounds, crocin and safranal, exert antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects, making saffron a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional pharmacological interventions. However, further clinical studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of saffron in treating depression in clinical settings. افسردگی یکی از شایع‌ترین اختلالات روانی است که تأثیرات عمیق و منفی بر جنبه‌های مختلف زندگی فردی، اجتماعی و اقتصادی افراد دارد. درمان‌های مرسوم افسردگی، به‌ویژه داروهای ضدافسردگی شیمیایی، گاهی با مشکلاتی نظیر عوارض جانبی و پاسخ‌دهی ناکافی همراه هستند. در این راستا، استفاده از ترکیبات طبیعی و گیاهی به‌ویژه زعفران که به‌دلیل ویژگی‌های درمانی و عوارض جانبی کمتر مورد توجه قرار گرفته است، به عنوان گزینه‌ای مناسب مطرح شده است. زعفران و ترکیبات فعال آن از جمله کروسین، سافرانال و کروستین، به‌واسطه اثرات متعدد بر بیولوژی مغز، می‌توانند به بهبود علائم افسردگی کمک کنند. این اثرات در درجه اول از طریق تنظیم و تعدیل سیستم‌های انتقال‌دهنده عصبی مانند سروتونین، دوپامین و نوراپی نفرین در مغز به‌دست می‌آید.کروسین، یکی از ترکیبات اصلی زعفران، با مهار بازجذب دوپامین و نوراپی نفرین، موجب افزایش سطح این انتقال‌دهنده‌ها در مغز می‌شود، که به نوبه خود به بهبود خلق و خو و کاهش علائم افسردگی کمک می‌کند. سافرانال نیز با مهار بازجذب سروتونین، به‌طور خاص بر سیستم سروتونرژیک تأثیر می‌گذارد و اثرات ضد افسردگی مشابهی را از خود نشان می‌دهد. همچنین، زعفران با تأثیر بر سیستم‌های نوروپلاستیک، افزایش سطح فاکتور نوروتروفیک مشتق از مغز (BDNF) را در پی دارد که این امر به بازسازی و ترمیم شبکه‌های عصبی آسیب‌دیده ناشی از افسردگی کمک می‌کند. این ترکیبات علاوه بر اثرات مستقیم بر سیستم انتقال‌دهنده‌های عصبی، با خواص ضد التهابی و آنتی‌اکسیدانی خود نیز از استرس اکسیداتیو جلوگیری کرده و در کاهش التهاب در مغز که یکی از عوامل مؤثر در بروز افسردگی است، نقش دارند. زعفران همچنین می‌تواند با تعدیل محور هیپوتالاموس-هیپوفیز-فوق‌کلیه (HPA) که در پاسخ به استرس و اختلالات خلقی دخیل است، موجب کاهش پاسخ‌های استرس‌زا و تنظیم این سیستم شود. این ویژگی‌ها موجب می‌شود که زعفران علاوه بر اثرات ضد افسردگی، در کنترل استرس و بهبود سلامت روانی مؤثر باشد. در مجموع، این ترکیبات گیاهی به‌دلیل اثرات چندجانبه‌ای که دارند، به‌عنوان درمان‌های جایگزین یا مکمل برای درمان افسردگی، به‌ویژه در مواردی که داروهای شیمیایی به‌خوبی عمل نمی‌کنند یا با عوارض جانبی همراه هستند، پیشنهاد می‌شوند. با این حال، برای تأیید قطعی اثرات ضد افسردگی زعفران و تعیین دوز بهینه درمانی، نیاز به انجام مطالعات بالینی بیشتر و با طراحی دقیق‌تر است. در نهایت، زعفران به‌عنوان یک درمان طبیعی، بدون عوارض جانبی عمده، پتانسیل بالایی برای بهبود علائم افسردگی و ارتقاء سلامت روانی دارد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3252_1e3b21cb226c39b6aa4634f820b372f3.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Impact of Vapor Pressure Deficit on Saffron Yield and Its Prediction Using Artificial Intelligence Algorithms بررسی کمبود فشار بخار بر عملکرد و پیش بینی محصول زعفران با استفاده از الگوریتم‌های هوش مصنوعی 227 240 3253 10.22077/jsr.2025.8540.1255 FA الهام قوچانیان حقوردی دانشجوی دکتری منابع آب، پژوهشگر بخش تحقیقات خاک و آب، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان خراسان جنوبی، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، بیرجند، ایران. مصطفی یعقوب‌زاده دانشیار گروه علوم و مهندسی آب و عضو گروه پژوهشی خشکسالی و تغییر اقلیم دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. علیرضا مقری فریز پژوهشگر بخش تحقیقات خاک و آب، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان خراسان جنوبی، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، بیرجند، ایران. امید خراشادیزاده کارشناس ارشد مهندسی منابع آب، شرکت آب منطقه ای خراسان جنوبی، شرکت مدیریت منابع آب، بیرجند، ایران. حامد جوادی پژوهشگر بخش تحقیقات خاک و آب، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان خراسان جنوبی، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، بیرجند، ایران. Journal Article 2024 12 09 <strong>Introduction: </strong>Climate change is one of the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century, with profound impacts on agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid regions such as South Khorasan Province, Iran. Saffron is a strategic and valuable product, with 90% of the world's cultivation area and 93.7% of global production of this product belonging to Iran. Saffron is a low-maintenance plant, well-suited for cultivation in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country, and it also offers high economic returns. Considering the specific climatic conditions of Iran, where water is one of the limiting factors for agricultural development, saffron is an ideal agricultural product. One of the parameters influencing agricultural crop performance is the vapor pressure deficit (VPD). VPD is not only a critical factor affecting plant physiology but also has a significant impact on the water requirements of plants However, the increasing vapor pressure deficit (VPD) caused by climate change has directly affected its yield. Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is an index representing the difference between the actual moisture content of the air and the maximum moisture the air can hold. This index is influenced by temperature and relative humidity and can be calculated using meteorological data. This study aims to examine the long-term impacts of VPD on saffron yield and predict its performance using artificial intelligence (AI) models.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>In this study, climatic data including Monthly data of temperature, humidity, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were obtained from the JRA-55 database for the years 1958 to 2023 for four regions of South Khorasan Province (Birjand, Tabas, Esfeden, and Sarayan). These data were processed using tools in the ArcGIS environment. Saffron yield data for the years 2005 to 2023 were collected from the South Khorasan Agricultural Organization and Vapor pressure deficit was calculated using existing equations. To predict the long-term saffron yield, four artificial intelligence algorithms, including Random Forest (RF), Generalized Additive Model (GAM), Random Subspace (RSS), and M5P, were used. The models were evaluated using the cross-validation technique to avoid overfitting or underfitting. To assess the performance of the models, statistical indices such as correlation coefficient (CC), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative root mean square error (RRMSE) were used.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The long-term analysis of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) changes and its impact on saffron yield in the studied regions revealed a gradual increase in the annual average VPD over the past 60 years. The decadal increase in average VPD for Birjand was 60 Pa, Sarayan 100 Pa, Qaen 40 Pa, and Tabas 50 Pa. The reduction in saffron yield averaged annually as 0.16 kg/ha for Birjand, 0.2 kg/ha for Sarayan, 0.13 kg/ha for Qaen, and 0.14 kg/ha for Tabas. Statistical indices were used to evaluate the performance of the models in both the training and testing stages. The performance of the Random Forest model was superior to the other models in both the training and testing phases [RRMSE= 0.01, RMSE= 0.09, MAE= 0.06, CC= 0.99] ,[RRMSE= 0.01, RMSE= 0.28, MAE= 0.23,CC= 0.94], The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) performed similarly to the Random Forest model during the training phase and ranked slightly lower in performance during the testing phase. The Random Subspace (RSS) model showed moderate performance in both the training and testing phases, with better performance during training compared to testing. The M5P model demonstrated poorer performance compared to the other models. These findings highlight the significant impact of increasing VPD on saffron yield due to climate change. The RF model, owing to its high accuracy and ability to handle complex relationships among variables, proved to be the best model for saffron yield prediction.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated that VPD, as a climate-sensitive parameter, plays a critical role in reducing saffron yield. The results indicated that all combined models are, to some extent, suitable for predicting crop yield. Among the algorithms used, the Random Forest model provided more accurate predictions due to combining the results of multiple decision trees and its ability to prevent data overfitting. This study recommends using the Random Forest model for future studies on saffron yield prediction based on vapor pressure deficit to manage water requirements. بخش کشاورزی یکی از اولین بخش‌هایی است که تحت تأثیر تغییرات اقلیم قرار می‌گیرد. خشکسالی و تغییرات وسیع در وضعیت آب و هوا منجر به کاهش محصولات کشاورزی و در نهایت کاهش بهره‌وری اقتصادی می‌شود. یکی از مهمترین پارامترهای مدیریت دقیق آب کشاورزی، کمبود فشار بخار نام دارد. در این تحقیق ابتدا به برآورد کمبود فشار بخار از داده‌های باز تحلیل بانک اطلاعاتی JRA-55 بین سال‌های 1958 تا 2023 پرداخته شد. در گام بعدی بررسی دراز مدت تغییرات کمبود فشار بخار و تأثیر آن بر عملکرد زعفران در چهار محدوده استان خراسان جنوبی شامل بیرجند، قاین، سرایان و طبس انجام شد. نتایج در مناطق مذکور طی 60 سال گذشته افزایش تدریجی میانگین سالانه کمبود فشار بخار با نرخ متوسط هر دهه حدود 60 پاسکال و کاهش سالانه عملکرد زعفران در حدود 16/0 کیلوگرم در هکتار نشان داد و همچنین با افزایش کمبود فشار بخار کاهش عملکرد محصول مشاهده شد. در نهایت به پیش‌بینی عملکرد زعفران برپایه کمبود فشار بخار با استفاده از الگوریتم‌های هوش مصنوعی پرداخته شد. جهت ارزیابی عملکرد مدل‌ها در هر دو مرحله آموزش و تست از چهار شاخص آماری CC ، MAE ، RMSE و RRMSE  استفاده شد. عملکرد مدل جنگل تصادفی در مرحله آموزش و تست بهتر از سایر مدل‌ها بود [99/0=CC؛ 06/0=MAE؛ 09/0=RMSEو 01/0 =RRMSE]، [94/0=CC؛ 23/0=MAE؛ 28/0= RMSEو 01/0=RRMSE]، این تحقیق استفاده از مدل جنگل تصادفی را برای مطالعات آتی پیش‌بینی عملکرد محصول زعفران برپایه کمبود فشار بخار در مدیریت نیاز آبی توصیه می‌کند. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3253_4ad13f04ef4373992c9d3046200aa350.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Assessment of Conditions for Long Storage of Saffron Corm-Derived Callus ارزیابی شرایط برای نگهداری طولانی مدت کالوس حاصل از بنه زعفران 241 255 3275 10.22077/jsr.2025.8554.1258 FA سمیه امینی دانش آموخته دکترا رشته گیاهان دارویی، گروه مهندسی علوم باغبانی و فضای سبز، دانشکده تولید گیاهی، دانشگاه علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی گرگان، گرگان، ایران و استاد مدعو گروه باغبانی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-2667-771X سید مهدی زیارت نیا عضو هیات علمی گروه زیست فناوری، مؤسسه پژوهشی غلوم و صنایع غذایی 0000-0001-6094-8256 Journal Article 2024 12 11 <strong>Introduction:</strong> The efficient long-term storage of plant callus tissues plays a crucial role in preserving and capitalizing on plant genetic resources. Traditional subculturing techniques can be laborious and expensive, often resulting in contamination, genetic instability, and alterations in metabolite profiles. Recent researches suggest that lowering storage temperatures, while avoiding freezing conditions, can significantly improve the viability of callus cultures by inhibiting metabolic activity. This strategy may reduce the necessity for frequent subculturing while maintaining the quality of the cultures. This study sought to discover an effective method for preserving saffron (<em>Crocus</em> <em>sativus</em> L.) callus, with a specific focus on sustaining its physiological functions, particularly its regenerative capabilities.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods</strong>:<strong> </strong>This study was conducted at the Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST) in Mashhad, focusing on the regenerative capability of saffron corm-derived calli. Saffron corms were harvested in mid-May and subjected to surface sterilization through washing with tap water, immersion in 70% ethanol for 1 minute, and treatment with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Residual disinfectants were removed by rinsing with sterile water. The sterilized corms were sliced into 1 cm² with 1-2 mm thickness and cultured on solid Gamborg’s medium (B₅) supplemented with 2 mg/L NAA, 1 mg/L Kinetin (Kin), and 3% sucrose. The cultures were incubated in the dark at 22±2 °C, with subculturing occurring every 20 days to promote callus development. Upon reaching sufficient callus volume, the samples underwent various storage treatments: calli were stored at 4 °C and 22±2 °C, both with and without liquid paraffin coverage for three months without subculturing. The control group comprised calli maintained at room temperature with routine subculturing every three weeks. After the storage period, all calli were transferred to a liquid SH medium containing 2 mg/L NAA, 1 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA), and 3% sucrose for six weeks. Parameters including cell growth index, medium pH, and cell viability (live versus dead), were assessed every week. At the end of the culture period, the amount of crocin as the main secondary metabolite in the saffron cells was measured using spectrophotometric method.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The results demonstrated that the stored calli at 4 °C showed the highest cell growth index after transfer to liquid culture medium. In contrast, calli covered with liquid paraffin at both 4 °C and 22±2 °C exhibited a complete loss of regeneration capacity in suspension culture. Interestingly, low-temperature storage not only maintained but also enhanced cell growth index (1.02) in liquid culture when compared to the control treatment (0.42). It is due to the growth of live cells which was evidenced by live cell counts using trypan blue staining. These findings highlight the critical role of temperature regulation in the successful storage of plant callus tissues. Our study also aligning with prior researches as they suggest that refrigerated storage is suitable for the preservation of calli derived from chilling-tolerant plants, but it is not suitable for chilling-sensitive species.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong><strong> </strong>This study concludes that saffron corm-derived calli can be effectively maintained with preserved regenerative capacity when stored at 4 °C for three months without subculture. Additionally, the regeneration capacity was optimized, reflected by a high ratio of live to dead cells after transferring to a cell suspension culture. Thus, storage of saffron calli at 4 °C is a reliable and efficient method for long-term conservation. Among the studied treatments, only the calli maintained under control conditions showed crocin content (1.1 mg of per gram of dry cells). Considering that this study was the first to investigate long-term storage methods for saffron calli, it is obvious that more research is needed to increase metabolites after the long storage of calli. زیرکشت کالوس‌های گیاهی، نه تنها فرایندی پرهزینه و وقت­گیر است بلکه احتمال آلودگی سلول­ها، تغییرات ژنتیکی و امکان تغییر در ماهیت متابولیت­ها نیز وجود دارد. در این تحقیق روش‌های افزایش مدت زمان نگهداری کالوس‌ حاصل از بنه زعفران به نحوی که قابلیت باززایی سلول‌ها حفظ شود، بررسی شد. این روش‌ها شامل نگهداری در یخچال، دمای اتاق و در زیر لایه­ای از پارافین بودند. در تیمار کنترل، کالوس­ها در دمای اتاق بدون حضور پارافین نگهداری شده و هر 20 روز یکبار زیرکشت شدند. بعد از اتمام دوره کشت، کالوس­ها به محیط SH مایع با ترکیب هورمونی NAA(2mg/l)+BA(1mg/l) انتقال یافتند. سپس در طی 6 هفته پارامترهای شاخص رشد سلولی، تغییرات پی­اچ محیط­کشت و تعداد سلول­های زنده و غیرزنده اندازه­گیری شدند. در انتهای دوره کشت میزان کروسین سلول‌ها با استفاده از روش اسپکتروفتومتری اندازه‌گیری شد. نتایج نشان داد بیشترین میزان رشد سلول از کالوس­هایی بدست آمد که در دمای 4 درجه سانتیگراد نگهداری شده بودند. از طرفی کالوس­هایی که در زیر لایه­ای از پارافین نگهداری شدند، قابلیت تکثیر در کشت تعلیقی را از دست دادند. بر اساس این نتایج، کالوس­های حاصل از بنه زعفران را می‌توان بدون نیاز به زیرکشت، تقریباً سه ماه در یخچال نگهداری کرد. از بین تیمارهای بررسی شده فقط تیمار کنترل حاوی 1/1 میلی‌گرم کروسین در هر گرم سلول خشک بود.  با توجه به اینکه این مطالعه به‌عنوان اولین بررسی در روش‌های نگهداری طولانی مدت کالوس زعفران انجام شد بدیهی است در این راستا به تحقیقات بیشتری در زمینه افزایش متابولیت‌های آن پس از نگهداری طولانی مدت نیاز است. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3275_52b738b303d90a884137546353e09ebb.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Investigating the Effect of Different Levels of Manure and Sulfur on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) بررسی تأثیر سطوح مختلف کود گوسفندی و گوگرد بر رشد رویشی و عملکرد زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) 256 274 3215 10.22077/jsr.2025.8373.1244 FA محمد حسین امینی فرد دانشیار، گروه علوم باغبانی و مرکز پژوهشی گیاهان ویژه منطقه، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند،ایران. 0000-0002-9490-2616 علی خاکساری مقدم دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد، فیزیولوژی گیاهان دارویی، گروه علوم باغبانی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند،ایران. حسن بیات دانشیار، گروه علوم باغبانی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند،ایران. حمیدرضا فلاحی دانشیار، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، گروه پژوهشی گیاه و تنش‌های محیطی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-1083-2738 Journal Article 2024 11 03 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Agricultural saffron (<em>Crocus</em> <em>sativus</em> L.) is a monocotyledonous plant, a geophyte, and belongs to the Iridaceae family. Consumption of appropriate amounts of organic inputs has positive effects on the vegetative characteristics of saffron, which is attributed to the better allocation of food elements to its organs. Animal manures do not have one-sided effects, but on the one hand, they help to provide food and on the other hand, they improve the structure of the soil. Therefore, the use of organic fertilizers to increase or at least maintain soil fertility and increase yield is inevitable. The use of elemental sulfur is also used as an acidifying agent to increase the ability to absorb nutrients in calcareous soils. Based on this, due to the reasonable price and availability of sulfur, as well as calcareousness and low organic matter in most of the soils of the country, this research was conducted to investigate the effect of sulfur and sheep manure on vegetative growth and yield of saffron in Sarayan region.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This study was conducted to investigate the effect of sheep manure and sulfur on vegetative growth and yield of saffron during 2018-2019 in the Sarayan region in a factorial manner and a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included sheep manure at four levels (0, 20, 40, and 60 t. ha^-1) and sulfur at three levels (0, 200, and 400 kg. ha^-1). After plotting, sheep manure and sulfur were added to the respective plots in the amount mentioned in the treatments and mixed with the soil with a shovel and the plots were leveled again. Simultaneously with the beginning of flowering (late November 2018), the flowers of each plot were collected daily from the entire surface of the plots. The traits related to flowering, leaf growth, and then the indicators related to the growth status of the corms were measured.<br /><strong>Results and Discussion:</strong> The results showed a significant effect of sulfur (400 kg. ha^-1) in both years on fresh style weight, dry style weight, leaf length, leaf number, number of the corm, and the total weight of the corm. In addition, the results showed that the highest level of sheep manure (60 t.ha^-1) caused a significant increase in fresh style weight by 78.50 and 26.66%, dry style weight by 28.57 and 53.84%, fresh stigma yield by 9.32 and 5.16%, dry stigma yield by 11.00 and 4.76%, fresh stigma weight by 12.73 and 6.82%, dry stigma weight 11.11 and 11.11%, leaf length by 38.75 and 44.27%, fresh leaf weight by 84.00 and 123.25%, dry leaf weight by 84.61 and 88.38%, number of the corm by 49.24 and 24.29%, the total weight of the corm by 98.77 and 56.44%, and the mean weight of the original girl corms 22.97 and 60.42%, respectively, in both years compared to the control treatment. It should be noted that the use of animal manure alone at the highest level has increased the number of flowers by five percent, and the use of sulfur alone has increased the number of flowers by half a percent, and the use of both at the same time has increased the number of flowers by 13 percent. Effects of sheep manure (60 t. ha^-1) and sulfur (400 kg. ha^-1) treatments on fresh and dry stigma weight and dry leaf weight in the first year and number of flowers per square meter, fresh flower yield, fresh style length, fresh and dry stigma yield, fresh and dry leaf weight, and mean weight of the original girl corms had the highest increase in the second year. The results of mutual effects also show well for the wet and dry performance of the stigma that the highest yield was observed at the level of 400 kg per hectare of sulfur and 60 t. h^-1 of sheep manure, the amount of which is 4.65 and 1.14 grams per square meter, and the lowest amount was obtained in the control. The results show that each of the elements alone did not have a good effect considering the short time, but two types of fertilizers together have been able to have an acceptable effect in a short period.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The simultaneous use of decayed sheep manure with sulfur, both of which were used as a soil application, has shown significant effects on most of the vegetative, agronomic, and quantitative traits of saffron. Thus, it is recommended that farmers use sheep manure with sulfur to significantly increase the yield of the saffron plant. Sulfur, in addition to acidifying the target area, which leads to better absorption of elements, disinfects the soil, and prevents the spread of diseases and mites. این تحقیق به­منظور بررسی تأثیر کود دامی گوسفندی و گوگرد بر رشد رویشی و عملکرد زعفران، طی سال­های 98-1397 در منطقه سرایان، به­صورت فاکتوریل و در قالب طرح بلوک­های کامل تصادفی در سه تکرار اجرا گردید. تیمارهای آزمایش شامل کود گوسفندی در چهار سطح (0، 20، 40 و 60 تن در هکتار) و گوگرد در سه سطح (0، 200 و 400 کیلوگرم در هکتار) بودند. نتایج، نشان­دهنده تأثیر معنی­دار گوگرد (400 کیلوگرم در هکتار) در هر دو سال، بر وزن تر و خشک کلاله، تعداد برگ، تعداد بنه و وزن کل بنه بود. علاوه بر این، نتایج نشان داد که بالاترین سطح کود گوسفندی (60 تن در هکتار) در هر دو سال ، موجب افزایش وزن تَر و خشک خامه، عملکرد کلاله تر و خشک، طول برگ، تعداد بنه، وزن کل بنه و میانگین وزن بنه دختری اصلی، نسبت به تیمار شاهد گردید.  همچنین اثرات متقابل تیمارهای کود گوسفندی (60 تن در هکتار) و گوگرد (400 کیلوگرم در هکتار) بـر وزن تَر و خشک کلاله و وزن خشک برگ در سال اول و تعداد گل در متر مربع، عملکرد گل تَر، عملکرد تَر و خشک کلاله، وزن تَر و خشک برگ و میانگین وزن بنه دختری اصلی در سال دوم بیشترین افزایش را داشت. بیشترین عملکرد تَر و خشک کلاله در سال دوم (به ترتیب به میزان 65/4 و 14/1 گرم در متر مربع) در سطح 400 کیلوگرم در هکتار گوگرد همراه با 60 تن در هکتار کود گوسفندی و کمترین مقدار آنها در سطح شاهد (به‌ترتیب با مقدار 12/4 و 02/1 گرم در متر مربع) حاصل شد. در مجموع، نتایج این تحقیق، بیانگر بهبود رشد و عملکرد زعفران در شرایط مصرف 60 تن در هکتار کود گوسفندی و 400 کیلوگرم در هکتار گوگرد (بالاترین سطح کود گوسفندی و گوگرد) بود. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3215_e2eacaff46787bfeefcaa24cf35264c7.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Organic Saffron: From Soil to Market, a Novel Approach in Green Agriculture زعفران ارگانیک: از خاک تا بازار، رویکردی نوین در کشاورزی سبز 289 275 3280 10.22077/jsr.2025.8453.1257 FA هادی زراعتگر استادیار، بخش زراعی باغی، مرکز تحقیقات کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان جنوبی، سازمان تحقیقات آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0001-7623-5330 اعظم گیدسکی کارشناس زراعی باغی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی خراسان جنوبی، بیرجند، ایران. 0009-0005-5841-1544 زینب معین الدینی کارشناس اقتصادی، اجتماعی و ترویج مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی خراسان جنوبی، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0001-8622-6358 Journal Article 2024 12 11 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Organic agriculture has emerged as a critical approach to sustainable food production, emphasizing environmental conservation, soil health, the provision of safe and healthy food. Among the various crops suitable for organic farming, saffron (<em>Crocus sativus</em>) is particularly notable for its high economic value, low water requirements, and adaptability to harsh climatic conditions. As the world’s leading producer of saffron, Iran has a unique opportunity to enhance its agricultural sustainability through the adoption of organic saffron farming practices. This review discusses the methods of organic saffron production.<br /> <br /><strong>Principles of Organic Saffron Cultivation: </strong>In this cultivation eschews the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, replacing them with natural alternatives such as organic manures and sustainable agricultural practices. These methods are designed to enhance soil fertility, reduce environmental contamination, and support biodiversity. The key practices in organic saffron farming include the use of organic manures, crop rotation, intercropping, and biological pest control.<br /> <br /><strong>Soil Health and Nutrient Management:</strong> Soil health is foundational to the success of organic saffron farming. Organic manures, including compost, farmyard manure, and vermicompost, play a crucial role in improving soil structure, enhancing moisture retention, and supporting microbial activity. These organic inputs enrich the soil with essential nutrients, creating a balanced ecosystem that supports robust saffron growth and improves yield quality over time.<br /> <br /><strong>Crop Rotation and Intercropping</strong>: Crop rotation and intercropping are pivotal strategies in organic saffron farming, offering several benefits. These practices break the life cycles of pests, reduce weed pressure, and optimize nutrient use. For example, intercropping saffron with legumes helps enhance soil nitrogen levels, benefiting saffron plants and reducing the dependency on synthetic fertilizers. This symbiotic relationship fosters a more sustainable farming system and improves the overall health of the agricultural ecosystem.<br /> <br /><strong>Pest and Disease Management:</strong> In organic saffron farming, pest and disease management focuses on biological and cultural control methods. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory beetles are introduced to manage pest populations naturally. Cultural practices, including proper irrigation management, timely planting, and the removal of diseased plants, are essential in preventing the spread of diseases. These methods help maintain a healthy crop without relying on chemical pesticides, ensuring that the saffron produced is free from harmful residues and safer for consumers.<br /> <br /><strong>Quality and Economic Value of Organic Saffron:</strong> Organic saffron is often of higher quality compared to conventionally grown saffron. It is characterized by enhanced flavor, aroma, and active compounds such as crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which contribute to its medicinal and culinary value. This superior quality aligns with the growing global demand for organically produced food and medicinal products. The premium price that organic saffron can command provides a significant economic incentive for farmers to transition to organic practices, offering them higher profitability and market competitiveness.<br /> <br /><strong>Environmental Benefits:</strong> The environmental benefits of organic saffron farming are profound. By eliminating the use of synthetic inputs, organic farming reduces soil and water contamination, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes biodiversity. These benefits align with global sustainability goals, contributing to the conservation of natural resources, the health of ecosystems, and the mitigation of climate change.<br /> <br /><strong>Challenges in Transitioning to Organic Saffron Farming:</strong> Despite its numerous benefits, transitioning to organic saffron farming presents several challenges. Farmers may encounter increased labor requirements, the need for specialized knowledge and training, and initially lower yields compared to conventional farming methods. Additionally, accessing certified organic inputs and markets can be challenging, especially for small-scale farmers or those in regions with limited infrastructure for organic agriculture.<br /> <br /><strong>Overcoming Challenges:</strong> Support and Policy Frameworks: To overcome these challenges, farmers need access to a supportive framework that includes financial incentives, training programs, and extension services. These resources can help farmers adopt organic practices more effectively, increase their productivity, and gain access to profitable organic markets. Establishing robust certification processes and developing strong market linkages are also crucial to ensuring that farmers can benefit from the premium prices associated with organic products.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Organic saffron farming presents a sustainable and economically viable path forward for saffron producers. By adopting organic practices, farmers can produce high-quality saffron while preserving the environment and supporting biodiversity. Continued research, policy support, and market development are essential to facilitating the wider adoption of organic saffron farming, maximizing its potential, and contributing to sustainable food systems globally. کشاورزی ارگانیک به‌عنوان رویکردی دوستدار محیط‌زیست و سلامت انسان، جایگاه ویژه‌ای در تولید محصولات کشاورزی باکیفیت یافته است. زعفران <em>(</em><em>Crocus sativus L.</em><em>)</em><em>،</em> به‌عنوان یکی از ارزشمندترین گیاهان دارویی و ادویه‌ای جهان، با نیاز آبی کم و مقاومت به شرایط اقلیمی دشوار، به‌ویژه در ایران از اهمیت بالایی برخوردار است. این مقاله مروری، به بررسی مزایا، چالش‌ها و تکنیک‌های نوین کشت ارگانیک زعفران پرداخته و تأثیرات زیست‌محیطی و اقتصادی این روش را تحلیل می‌کند. کشت ارگانیک زعفران، با حذف نهاده‌های شیمیایی، بر روش‌هایی همچون استفاده از کودهای طبیعی، تناوب زراعی و مدیریت پایدار خاک تکیه دارد. این روش‌ها، علاوه بر افزایش حاصلخیزی خاک، به حفظ تنوع زیستی و کاهش آلودگی‌های زیست‌محیطی کمک می‌کنند. تناوب زراعی با گیاهان تثبیت‌کننده نیتروژن و مدیریت طبیعی علف‌های هرز، به کاهش آفات و بیماری‌ها و بهبود کیفیت محصول می‌انجامد. همچنین، کنترل بیولوژیکی آفات با بهره‌گیری از شکارچیان طبیعی و مالچ‌های طبیعی، سلامت و ایمنی محصول را تضمین می‌کند. زعفران ارگانیک به‌دلیل کیفیت برتر، عطر و طعم متمایز و ارزش افزوده بالا، در بازارهای داخلی و بین‌المللی رقابت‌پذیرتر است. این روش با تأکید بر کاهش وابستگی به نهاده‌های شیمیایی و بهره‌گیری از تکنیک‌های پایدار، به توسعه کشاورزی سازگار با محیط‌زیست و بهبود درآمد کشاورزان کمک می‌کند. این مقاله نتیجه می‌گیرد که کشت ارگانیک زعفران، با اثرات مثبت زیست‌محیطی و اقتصادی، راهکاری نوین برای دستیابی به کشاورزی پایدار و تولید محصولاتی سالم و باکیفیت است. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3280_cc9657884708170e160c8372d92f3535.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Study and Prediction of Economic Factors Affecting Saffron Exports with Emphasis on its Branding مطالعه و پیش بینی عوامل اقتصادی موثر بر صادرات زعفران با تاکید بر برندسازی آن 290 301 3292 10.22077/jsr.2025.8537.1259 FA مهدیه مودی گروه حسابداری، دانشگاه ملی مهارت، تهران، ایران. 0000-0001-9584-7981 Journal Article 2024 12 21 <strong>Introduction: </strong>Saffron is one of the most valuable crops on the Earth and is from the lily family. This plant grows in the Mediterranean climate region and West Asia, in areas with very little rainfall that have cold winters and hot summers. Saffron is cultivated in other countries of the world in addition to Iran, and apart from Iran, the most important saffron producing countries are Spain, Italy, Greece, India, Morocco and Azerbaijan (Zabihi, Pishbin, 2018).<br />Reliance on oil exports is a special feature of the Iranian economy, and fluctuations in oil prices always cause instability in foreign exchange earnings and the Iranian economy. This has led to the emphasis of economic development programs on not depending on a single-product economy, diversifying foreign exchange earnings through increasing non-oil exports and increasing the share of the Iranian economy in international trade. Paying attention to non-oil exports and taking effective measures to improve them requires creating a competitive environment, and this in itself makes a wider presence in global markets, especially the World Trade Organization, inevitable. (Mohammadzadeh Asl, Mohammadi, 2012)<br />Inflation is known as a determining factor and affecting export prices. Inflation is a major economic problem in developing countries such as Iran. People are well aware of the negative impact of inflation on economic well-being and reducing their purchasing power. If the exchange rate shows severe fluctuations, the value of exported goods and the cost of imported goods in domestic currency are severely affected. Therefore, the more risk-averse the country's foreign trade factors are and the greater the share of foreign trade in GDP and exports, the greater the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on reducing domestic production, increasing prices, and limiting foreign trade. (Moghali, 2019)<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>The present study aims to investigate the economic factors affecting saffron exports from Iranian customs in terms of data collection method, descriptive (correlation branch) and applied in terms of purpose. The research was conducted in 2024 and the required information was collected through library resources of the last 5 years. The statistical population of the study includes saffron exports from all customs in Iran and the research hypotheses are as follows:<br />1- There is a significant relationship between inflation rate and saffron exports.<br />2- There is a significant relationship between exchange rate and saffron exports.<br />3- There is a significant relationship between GDP and saffron exports.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The data of the present study were analyzed with the help of SPSS version 22 software. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the symmetry of the variables. The significance level obtained from this test was more than 5 percent in most variables, which showed that the data had a normal distribution. After examining the normality of the variables, the relationship between them was examined.<br />Considering the confirmation of the hypotheses and the beta coefficient obtained from the regression test, the initial conceptual model was completed and the relationship between the dependent and independent variables is presented in the form of a conceptual model as follows.<br />EX=15/480ER+ 14/289IN+ 0/781GDP<br />Considering the obtained beta coefficient and considering the confirmation of the hypotheses and the positivity of the coefficients, which indicates the alignment of the relationship, it can be said that a one percent change in the exchange rate leads to a 15 percent change in exports, a one percent change in inflation leads to a 14 percent change in exports, and a one percent change in GDP leads to less than a one percent change in exports. Therefore, among the factors discussed, inflation and currency have the greatest impact on saffron exports.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study, with the aim of determining the economic factors affecting saffron exports as a strategic currency-earning commodity in Iran, examined three factors affecting exports, including inflation, currency, and GDP, and concluded that all three factors have a positive effect on saffron exports. In fact, from the cultivation process to the production of saffron and the marketing and sale of this precious spice, all can lead to job creation. If Iranian producers work hard at all stages, unparalleled job opportunities will be provided, and this will have an impact on the gross domestic product, increasing per capita income, and the well-being of society. نوسانات قیمت نفت باعث بی‌ثباتی درآمدهای ارزی در اقتصاد ایران بوده و سبب شده عدم وابستگی به اقتصاد تک محصولی از طریق افزایش صادرات غیر‌نفتی مورد تاکید برنامه ‌های توسعه اقتصادی قرار گیرد. زعفران یکی ازگرانبهاترین گیاهان زراعی موجود بر روی کره زمین است که تنها بعضی از کشورهای جهان می‌توانند آن را تولید کنند. ایران شرایط مناسب کشت زعفران را دارد و زعفران در ایران دومین کالای صادراتی بعد از نفت به ‌شمار می‌رود. با این‌حال سهم ایران از درآمد صادرات زعفران زیاد نیست. به این ترتیب پژوهش حاضر با هدف کمک به افزایش صادرات این محصول به تعیین عوامل موثر بر صادرات آن با بررسی سه عامل نرخ تورم، نرخ ارز و تولید ناخالص داخلی در بازه زمانی 5 ساله اخیر پرداخت. داده ها از منابع کتابخانه ای جمع آوری و با کمک نرم افزار spss تحلیل شد. نتایج نشان داد هر سه عامل در سطح معناداری (p-value) صفر و با سطح اطمینان 95 درصد بر صادرات زعفران تاثیر مثبت دارد. به نظر می رسد صادرات پایین زعفران ایران از ضعف بازاریابی و برند مناسب می باشد. پیشنهاد می شود برای افزایش صادرات زعفران در کنار سرمایه گذاری در زمینه برندسازی، از طریق بورس کالا بازارهای هدف جدیدی برای این محصول تعریف نمود. به این ترتیب می توان با افزایش صادرات آن، به افزایش ارزآوری و اشتغال در این زمینه کمک نمود. ضمن آنکه می توان با روش های جدید کشت نظیر هیدروژل و فناوری های نوین آبیاری بازدهی تولید را افزایش داد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3292_cfcce0621b49c983991ead4c3d4d3b6b.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Studying the Economic Water Footprint of Saffron Crop in the Climate of Torbat Heydariyeh County بررسی ردپای اقتصادی آب محصول زعفران در اقلیم شهرستان تربت حیدریه 302 313 3316 10.22077/jsr.2025.8455.1248 FA یحیی چوپان دکتری آبیاری و زهکشی، پژوهشگر پژوهشکده زعفران، دانشگاه تربت حیدریه، تربت حیدریه، ایران. عباس خاشعی سیوکی استاد، گروه علوم و مهندسی آب دانشگاه بیرجند و رئیس دانشگاه تربت حیدریه، تربت حیدریه، ایران. محسن زنگنه استادیار، گروه اقتصاد دانشگاه بین الملی اهل بیت (ع)، تهران، ایران. Journal Article 2024 11 19 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Water resources in the world are limited, and due to the increase in population and food demand, water consumption for agricultural production will also increase. In our country, due to limited water resources on the one hand and low irrigation efficiency and wastage of a large part of water resources on the other hand, the problem is twofold. Each product in the production chain has a specific temporal and spatial process. This chain has a local to global scope in which water is consumed and disappears. In the meantime, saffron is one of the most important products of the agricultural sector of Iran in arid and semi-arid regions, which is of great importance for earning foreign exchange in order to realize development programs aimed at increasing non-oil exports, and calculating the rial value of its water consumption in the production chain is important.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>Torbat Heydarieh city is located at 59 degrees 12 minutes east longitude and 34 degrees 17 minutes north latitude at an altitude of 1333 meters above sea level. In this study, the water footprint in saffron production and the comparison of the cost price of saffron based on the amounts of green, blue and gray water in three important production areas, including Rokh Plain of Torbat Heydariyeh County R1, Zaveh Plain R2 and Central Plain of Torbat Heydariyeh R3, were calculated based on field data. The performance of the parameters (saffron yield, saffron water requirement, amount of unconventional water used in field irrigation, amount of water consumed from wells, amount of atmospheric precipitation, evapotranspiration, effective precipitation) that were involved in the research were calculated and collected using statistics from the Agricultural Jihad Organization, meteorological station data, farmers' information, and the country's plant water requirement system. The studied farms had a crop density (9 to 10 tons per hectare), farm age (3 to 4 years), and average farm cultivation area (1 to 10 hectares). Statistical analysis of the data was done using DSTAT software and graphs were drawn using EXCEL software. Also, comparison of means was done using Duncan's test at the level of 5 percent probability.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion:  </strong>The saffron yield (dry stigma) in R1, R2 and R3 regions was 5.7, 3.35 and 4.1 kg per hectare respectively, and significant differences were observed between different regions. The results of this study showed that there was no significant effect on the amount of water in the studied regions, but a significant difference was observed in the statistical results of green water and gray water between different regions, such that the highest amount for green water (26%) and the lowest amount for gray water (0%) was observed in R1 region. According to the results of saffron yield in R1, R2 and R3 regions, which are 5.7, 3.35 and 1.4 kg/ha respectively and the amount of water requirement in these regions, which is recorded as 280, 340 and 300 mm/day respectively according to field data, water use efficiency values ​​with significant differences were observed between the regions.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Among the Rokh Plain regions, with a value of 5.7 kg/ha, due to more favorable climatic conditions, sufficient water and suitable seasonal rainfall and different planting management, higher yield has been shown than in other research regions. The highest value for green water (26%) and the lowest value for gray water (0%) was observed in R1 region.Water use efficiency values ​​were observed with significant differences between the regions. The highest water use efficiency was observed in the R1 region with 2 gr/m³ according to the results. هر محصول در زنجیره تولید دارای فرآیند زمانی و مکانی خاصی می­باشد. این زنجیره وسعتی محلی تا جهانی دارد که در آن، آب مصرف و ناپدید می‏‌شود. در این میان زعفران یکی از مهمترین محصولات بخش کشاورزی ایران در مناطق خشک و نیمه­خشک است که اهمیت زیادی جهت ارزآوری در راستای تحقق برنامه­های توسعه مبنی بر افزایش صادرات غیر نفتی دارد و محاسبه ارزش ریالی آب مصرفی آن در زنجیره تولید حائز اهمیت است. در این تحقیق به محاسبه مقادیر ردپای آب در تولید زعفران و مقایسه بهای تمام شده زعفران براساس مقادیر آب سبز، آبی و خاکستری در سه منطقه مهم تولیدی شامل دشت رخ شهرستان تربت حیدریه R1، دشت زاوه R2 و دشت مرکزی تربت حیدریه R3  برپایه اطلاعات میدانی پرداخته شده است. نتایج نشان داد مقدار آب آبی در مناطق R1، R2  و R3 به ترتیب 74، 5/79 و 83 درصد از کل آب مصرفی بوده است. همچنین ارزش اقتصادی آب مصرفی به ازای هر کیلوگرم زعفران در مناطق R1، R2 وR3 به ترتیب 69، 158 و  107 دلار بدست آمده است. براین­اساس استنباط می شود که شرایط اقلیمی، مدیریت آبیاری و موجودیت منابع آب مورد نیاز جهت آبیاری به موقع سبب کاهش مصرف آب آبی و در نتیجه کاهش ارزش ریالی آب مصرفی به ازای هر کیلوگرم محصول گردیده اند. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3316_8ce5d989374d216a867cdc8871484b43.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Examining the Effects of Climate Change on Saffron Yield in South Khorasan Province Using a Spatial Panel Approach بررسی اثرات تغییرات آب و هوا بر عملکرد محصول زعفران در استان خراسان جنوبی با رهیافت پانل فضایی 314 328 3351 10.22077/jsr.2025.8818.1263 FA امیر دادرس مقدم استادیار گروه اقتصاد کشاورزی، دانشگاه سیستان وبلوچستان، زاهدان، ایران. غلام احمد گوهرشاهی گروه اقتصاد کشاورزی، دانشگاه سیستان وبلوچستان، زاهدان، ایران. محمدرضا بخشی استادیار اقتصاد کشاورزی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. ولی اله سارانی استادیار دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه زابل، زابل، ایران. Journal Article 2025 01 25 <strong>Introduction: </strong>One of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century is climate change, which has serious economic and social consequences. These changes are the driving force behind global warming, the spread of droughts, and climate anomalies that directly affect agricultural productivity. In Iran, the agricultural sector is one of the main pillars of the economy, and the impact of these climate changes is highly noticeable. The arid and semi-arid regions of Iran, especially in South Khorasan, are clearly affected by these changes. Climate analyses indicate that by the years 2025 and 2050, the southern regions of Khorasan will experience an increase in average air temperature by 1.5 to 2.3 degrees Celsius. Saffron, as one of the strategic products and economic advantages of South Khorasan, is sensitive to temperature changes and is most affected by climate change. The significance of saffron cultivation in Iran is due to its high-water efficiency, job creation in rural areas, prevention of migration, income generation, and the development of non-oil exports. Therefore, understanding the consequences of climate change on saffron production and offering solutions to mitigate these effects is of special importance. Past studies have shown that temperature and precipitation are among the most significant factors influencing the risk and production of agricultural products, including saffron. Many studies have been conducted in this area, most of which focus on examining climate changes in a specific region. However, a limited number of these studies have also considered the indirect effects arising from spatial spillovers in neighboring regions in addition to examining the impact of climatic factors in one area. The aim of this research is to investigate direct and indirect effects of spatial spillovers of temperature, minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity on saffron yield in the counties of South Khorasan over the period from 2011 to 2023. In addition to examining the direct effects of climate change on saffron yield, this study also analyzes the indirect impacts of these changes through spatial spillovers of climatic variables on saffron yield in neighboring regions. The use of spatial econometric methods in this research represents the innovative aspect of this study.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>In this research, meteorological data from the South Khorasan Meteorological Organization for variables such as precipitation, average temperature, average maximum temperature, average minimum temperature, and relative humidity (percentage) on an annual scale for the statistical period 2011-2023 has been collected. This study was conducted at the provincial level in South Khorasan and in 11 counties: Boshrouyeh, Birjand, Khousf, Darmian, Zirkuh, Sarayan, Sarbisheh, Tabas, Ferdows, Qaen, and Nehbandan. Data on saffron yield were also obtained from the Agricultural Jihad statistics of South Khorasan province. A spatial panel model was estimated using Stata17 software<strong>.</strong><br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The result showed in the SAC and SDM models, temperature had different effects: in the SDM model, maximum temperature had a negative and significant impact on saffron yield, while in the SAC model, minimum temperature had a positive and significant impact. Additionally, relative humidity had a positive and significant impact only in the SEM model. The SAC model was selected as the optimal model, indicating no significant impact of precipitation and a negative and significant impact of temperature on saffron yield. Moreover, minimum temperature had a positive and significant impact. The spatial parameters also showed a positive and significant spatial correlation, highlighting the importance of spatial effects in data analysis.<br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the results of this study, some recommendations are presented to improve saffron yield in South Khorasan Province. Firstly, temperature management is crucial for saffron cultivation, as increased temperature negatively impacts saffron yield. Therefore, it is suggested that farmers use cooling methods, such as shade nets and efficient irrigation systems, to mitigate the negative effects of temperature rise. Developing precise climate prediction and monitoring systems can help farmers plan better and adopt appropriate measures to cope with climate change. Secondly, although precipitation and relative humidity did not have a significant impact on saffron yield, previous research indicates that water resource management and the use of effective irrigation techniques, especially in low-rainfall areas, can help improve saffron yield. Using optimal agricultural techniques and improving planting and cultivation methods can also increase the productivity of agricultural lands. Educating farmers in this regard will be very effective as well. Finally, it is recommended to conduct more research on the effects of climate change and spatial spillovers on saffron in various regions of the country so policymakers and farmers can make better decisions for managing and improving saffron yield tailored to different climates, ensuring better climate condition management and improving saffron productivity nationwide. ایران بزرگترین تولیدکننده زعفران در جهان و استان خراسان جنوبی در جایگاه دوم تولید این محصول در کشور قرار دارد لذا بررسی عوامل موثر بر عملکرد زعفران در این استان حایز اهمیت است. پژوهش حاضر به بررسی اثرات تغییرات آب و هوا شامل اثرات مستقیم و غیرمستقیم ناشی از سرریزهای فضایی دما، رطوبت نسبی و بارش بر عملکرد زعفران در شهرستان‌های استان خراسان جنوبی در دوره زمانی 1390 تا 1402 پرداخته است. داده‌های مربوط به عملکرد زعفران از سایت جهادکشاورزی و داده­های اقلیمی از سایت هواشناسی استان خراسان جنوبی اخذ گردید، برآورد و تحلیل داده‌ها به کمک مدل پانل فضایی و با استفاده از نرم افزارStata17  انجام شد. نتایج بر­اساس مدلSAC که به­عنوان مدل بهینه در مدل‌های اقتصادسنجی فضایی انتخاب شده است و به‌طور کلی نشان می­دهد شاخص بارش و رطوبت نسبی و شاخص حداکثر دما تأثیر معنی‌داری بر عملکرد زعفران ندارد اما شاخص دما تأثیر منفی و معنی‌دار و شاخص حداقل دما تأثیر مثبت و معنی‌داری داشت. همچنین پارامترهای فضایی نیز همبستگی فضایی مثبت و معناداری را نشان دادند که بیانگر اهمیت اثرات فضایی در تحلیل داده‌ها بود. بر اساس نتایج این پژوهش، با بهبود روش‌های آبیاری و استفاده از تکنیک‌های بهینه کشاورزی، پایش و پیش‌بینی اقلیمی دما و انجام پژوهش‌های بیشتر در زمینه بررسی اثرات تغییرات اقلیمی و سرریزهای فضایی بر زعفران می­توان به کشاورزان و سیاست‌گذاران کمک نمود تا با پیش­بینی و مدیریت بهتر شرایط اقلیمی، بهره‌وری و عملکرد این محصول را در سال­های آتی بهبود بخشند. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3351_0b6ace9e8971cf36f1782aa982a708db.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Safranal Microencapsulation by Co-Precipitation Method with Gum Arabic and Investigation of Antimicrobial Activity ریزپوشانی سافرانال به روش هم‌رسوبی با صمغ عربی و بررسی فعالیت ضد‌میکروبی 329 345 3436 10.22077/jsr.2025.8982.1264 FA ایمان یوسفی جوان استادیار، گروه تولیدات گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تربت حیدریه، تربت حیدریه، ایران. سمیه سادات اسلامی شکوه دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد، گروه تولیدات گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تربت حیدریه، تربت حیدریه، ایران. مهدی دادمهر دانشیار، گروه زیست شناسی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. Journal Article 2025 02 18 <strong>Introduction: </strong>Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is derived from the red stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae family). This valuable spice is important due to bioactive compounds like crocin, crocetin, and safranal. Among them, safranal is particularly noted for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, these compounds are unstable under environmental factors, limiting their application.<br />Encapsulation is an effective method for protecting bioactive compounds against environmental factors and achieving controlled release. It helps prevent evaporation and degradation by forming a protective layer, improving the stability of these compounds. This study explores the microencapsulation of safranal with Arabic gum and evaluates its antimicrobial activity.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This study aimed to microencapsulate safranal using Arabic gum as a biocompatible carrier. A 2.5% w/v Arabic gum solution was prepared with deionized water. Safranal was added at varying weight ratios (1:0, 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 1:7, 1:9). The base solution was centrifuged at 600 rpm for 2 hours to remove impurities. After continuous stirring, safranal/Arabic gum microcapsules were formed by oven drying into a fine powder. The characteristics of the microcapsules, including particle size (DLS), structure (FTIR), crystallinity (XRD), encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity, were evaluated.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion:</strong> Safranal microcapsules were produced using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the wall material and gum arabic (GA) as the emulsifier in a co-precipitation method. At the optimized safranal to gum arabic ratio (1:3, w/w), the encapsulation efficiency reached 87.61%, and the average particle size was 8.20 μm. FTIR analysis confirmed the functional groups in safranal and gum arabic, indicating no new chemical reactions. These results show gum arabic acted as a carrier/emulsifier. DLS analysis confirmed uniform particle size, while XRD revealed a crystalline structure. Antimicrobial testing showed significant inhibitory effects against Botryodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Additionally, loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency improved under optimized conditions.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study showed that microencapsulation of safranal using Arabic gum as a biocompatible carrier effectively enhances its stability. The incorporation of Arabic gum improved particle stability and prevented oxidation and degradation of safranal. The produced microcapsules exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against fungal pathogens, suggesting their potential use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Release profile evaluation demonstrated that Arabic gum as the encapsulation matrix allows precise control of the release rate under varying conditions. In conclusion, this research highlights the role of Arabic gum as a natural biopolymer in developing advanced microencapsulation systems, improving the therapeutic and protective properties of bioactive compounds like safranal for industrial applications. در این پژوهش، خواص ضد‌میکروبی سافرانال زعفران و کپسوله‌سازی آن با β-سیکلودکسترین (β-CD) به‌عنوان دیواره و صمغ عربی (GA) به‌عنوان امولسیفایر با روش رسوب همزمان بررسی شد. تأثیر صمغ عربی بر میزان کپسوله‌سازی، اندازه ذرات، سرعت رهاسازی و ویژگی‌های ساختاری میکروکپسول‌ها ارزیابی گردید. در نسبت بهینه سافرانال به صمغ عربی(1:3 w/w)، میزان کپسوله‌سازی ۶۱/۸۷ درصد و اندازه متوسط ذرات ۲۰/۸ میکرومتر به دست آمد. تحلیل FTIR نشان داد که صمغ عربی تنها نقش امولسیفایر دارد و بر ساختار شیمیایی β-CD تأثیر نمی‌گذارد. بررسی DLS توزیع یکنواخت ذرات و XRD حفظ ساختار بلوری سافرانال را تأیید کرد. فعالیت ضد‌میکروبی سافرانال و میکروکپسول‌های آن علیه Botryodiplodia theobromae وColletotrichum gloeosporioides  بررسی شد و نتایج نشان داد که کپسوله‌سازی موجب بهبود ظرفیت بارگذاری و راندمان کپسوله‌سازی می‌شود. این پژوهش نشان داد که استفاده از β-CD و صمغ عربی می‌تواند موجب تثبیت و حفظ خواص ضد‌میکروبی سافرانال شود و رهاسازی را کنترل کند. این ویژگی‌ها، کپسوله‌سازی سافرانال را برای کاربرد در صنایع دارویی و غذایی مناسب می‌سازد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3436_61f2585b0ebcf1f532c4d1ec9a7d51aa.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 12 2 2024 12 21 Studying the Effect of Density and Covering on Corm Behavior and Economic Yield of Saffron (Crocus.sativus) (Case Study: Gonabad) بررسی اثر تراکم، پوشش بقایا و سایه اندازی بر رفتار بنه و عملکرد اقتصادی گیاه زعفران (Crocus.sativus) (مطالعه موردی: گناباد) 346 362 3478 10.22077/jsr.2025.8795.1262 FA زهره نبی پور محقق، ایستگاه تحقیقات آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی گناباد، مرکز تحقیقات آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان رضوی ، سازمان تحقیقات آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، گناباد، ایران. 0000-0002-3350-7495 حمیدرضا توکلی کاخکی بخش تحقیقات علوم زراعی و باغی، مرکز تحقیقات آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان رضوی ، سازمان تحقیقات آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، مشهد ، ایران. Journal Article 2025 01 21 <strong>Introduction: </strong>Saffron is a monocotyledonous plant from the Iris family that completes its life cycle in one year. During the saffron growth period, flowering is one of the most important stages, which includes a period of high temperature for inoculation and flowering induction and a period of low temperature for flowering emergence Given the sensitivity of this plant's flowering process to temperature changes, it seems that the increase in temperature caused by climate change will affect it, which requires increased preparation and planning to deal with its negative effects. In this regard, this experiment was designed and implemented to investigate the effect of different types of covering under different densities on the economic performance of saffron in the third and fourth year after planting in the Gonabad climate condition.<br /> <br /><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> In order to investigate the effect of density and summer management covering corm behavior and economic performance of saffron in Gonabad climatic conditions, an experiment was conducted in split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Gonabad Research Station). In this study, planting density treatments were at four levels including 60, 90, 120, and 150 corms per square meter in the main plot and plant residue management and shading at four levels including removal of saffron residues at the end of the growing season (control), presence of saffron residues at the end of the growing season, control + use of barley stubble at the rate of 2 ton/ha, and control + use of artificial shade in the subplot. The dimensions of the subplot were 4×2 and the dimensions of the main plot was 8×4. In order to prevent mixing of other factors, the initial weight of mother corms for planting in all treatments was based on an average of 8-9 grams. Before planting, 40 tons per hectare of rotted cow manure was added to the soil. Each year, depending on the amount of accumulated rainfall, between 4 and 5 irrigation cycles were performed. During the flower harvest season, to investigate the effect of experimental treatments on saffron flower characteristics, after removing 0.5 m of marginal effect, sampling was performed in each of the subplots to investigate the Flower characteristics. Also, in both years of the experiment, in order to investigate the effect of experimental treatments on the number and average weight of daughter corms, in the dormancy stage (second half of June 2010 and 2011), and in the quadrats established from the previous stage, all corms were removed from an area of 0.25 square meters of soil, and after counting the number of daughter corms and separating the soil particles, the fresh weight of the corms were measured and recorded. Data <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">editing</span> was done by using Excel 2010 software and data analysis was done using SAS Var. 9.4 software. Duncan's test was used at the 5% probability level to compare means.<br /> <br /><strong>Results and Discussion: </strong>The results of this study were showed that the Characteristics of corms and flowers were affected by the increase in density in both years of the study, and the highest amount of stigma dry weight in both years of the experiment were obtained under a density of 120 corms/m², respectively; however, as the age of the field increased, higher density levels had a lower percentage increase in the desired traits, so that in 2022, stigma yield under a density of 120 corms/m² did not differ significantly from 90 corms/m². The application of various types of cover in summer increased all the studied traits compared to the control treatment (removal of saffron residues). Based on the results of this experiment, the use of cereal straw in the first year had the highest stigma yield, and in the second year, the artificial shade treatment had the highest stigma yield. Also, the study of interaction effects showed that the application of barely stubble (first year) and shading (second year) under density of 90 and 120 corms/m² increased the dry weight of the stigma compared to other cover management treatments.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Considering the positive effect of using cover on the economic performance of saffron, it seems that the practical recommendation of using various types of cover, especially cereal stubble, considering its lower cost compared to shade and also easier access to cover saffron fields at the beginning of the hot season, can be considered for sustainability and increasing saffron yield. به منظور بررسی اثر تراکم و مدیریت پوشش بر رفتار بنه و عملکرد اقتصادی زعفران در شرایط اقلیمی گناباد، آزمایشی به صورت کرت‌های خرد شده در قالب طرح پایه بلوک‌‍‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار در مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان رضوی (ایستگاه تحقیقات گناباد) در سال 1397-1400 انجام شد. در این تحقیق تیمار تراکم کاشت در چهار سطح شامل 60، 90، 120 و 150 بنه در مترمربع در کرت اصلی و مدیریت بقایای گیاهی و سایه‌اندازی در چهار سطح شامل حذف بقایای زعفران در پایان فصل رشـد (شاهد)، حضور بقایای زعفران در پایان فصل رشد، شاهد + استفاده از کلش جو به میزان 2 تن در هکتار، شاهد + استفاده از سایبان مصنوعی در کرت فرعی قرار داشتند. نتایج این بررسی نشان داد که خصوصیات بنه و گل در هر دو سال مورد بررسی تحت تأثیر افزایش معنی‌دار تراکم قرار گرفت و بیشترین مقدار وزن خشک کلاله در هر دو سال آزمایش به ترتیب با مقادیر 86/0 و 32/0 گرم در مترمربع تحت تراکم 120 بنه در مترمربع حاصل شد؛ البته همزمان با افزایش سن مزرعه، سطوح بالاتر تراکم درصد افزایش کمتری در صفات مورد نظر داشت. از طرف دیگر کاربرد انواع پوشش در تابستان باعث افزایش معنی‌دار همه صفات مورد بررسی در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد (حذف بقایای زعفران) شد. بر اساس نتایج حاصل از این پژوهش، کاربرد کلش جو در سال اول و کاربرد سایبان مصنوعی در سال دوم تحت سطوح تراکم 90 و 120 بنه در مترمربع بیشترین عملکرد کلاله را داشت. با توجه به تأثیر مثبت استفاده از پوشش بر عملکرد اقتصادی زعفران به نظر می رسد که توصیه کاربردی استفاده از انواع پوشش بویژه کلش غلات با توجه به هزینه کمتر آن در مقایسه با سایه‌بان و همچنین دسترسی سهل‌تر برای پوشش مزارع زعفران همزمان با شروع فصل گرما می تواند در جهت پایداری و افزایش عملکرد زعفران مورد توجه باشد. https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3478_b071cfa81605a94ad80cfa2bbc747448.pdf