دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Documentation, Analysis and Quantitative Evaluation of Iranian National Conferences of Saffron (Seven Conferences: 1988-2024) مستندسازی، تحلیل و ارزیابی کمّی همایش‌های ملی زعفران ایران (هفت دوره: ۱۴۰۳-۱۳۶۷) 198 218 3498 10.22077/jsr.2025.9194.1270 FA حمیدرضا فلاحی دانشیار، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. عضو گروه پژوهشی گیاه و تنش‌های محیطی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-1083-2738 مهسا اقحوانی شجری استادیار، گروه اگروتکنولوژی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. 0009-0007-7870-5480 عباس همتی کاخکی استادیار، موسسه پژوهشی علوم و صنایع غذایی، مشهد، ایران. محقق میهمان پژوهشکده زعفران، دانشگاه تربت حیدریه، تربت‌حیدریه، ایران. 0009-0009-8684-0126 Journal Article 2025 04 12 Introduction: Scientometrics, or bibliometric analysis, is a common methods for evaluating scientific production, activities, and research management. This method is a quantitative approach for measuring scientific information across various fields of science. This method of analysis can reflect the latest scientific developments, research directions, and important research topics. By using this method, it is possible to identify influential researchers, journals, and the publication trends in any scientific field. In Iran, Primary agronomic research on saffron has a history of about 80 years. One of the most important achievements of this research history is the holding of specialized scientific conferences on saffron. So far, seven national conferences have been held on saffron production and technology, and hundreds of articles have been published in them. However, documenting and quantitatively evaluating the results of these conferences is of particular importance, and this can be done using the scientometric method. Materials and Methods: In this study the documentation of national conferences of saffron and the quantitative evaluation of scientific information published in these conferences was evaluated. So far, seven national conferences on saffron have been held in Iran, the first of them was held in Qaen in 1988 and the last one was held in Birjand in 2024. Results and Discussion: The provinces of South-Khorasan (three times) and Razavi-Khorasan (four times) have been the only organizers of the national conferences of saffron. So far, 98 researchers have been the members of the scientific committee of these seven conferences. Abbas Hemmati-Kakhki and Abdullah Mollafilabi have been the members of this committee in all seven conferences. During the seven sessions of this conference, 601 articles have been published, the largest number of these (239 articles) belongs to the seventh conference, which was held by the University of Birjand. The highest ratio of the number of research articles to review articles was recorded in the fourth session of the conference at Bozorgmehr University of Qaenat. In the first session of the conference, articles were received from only four provinces of the country, which reached 20 provinces in the last conference session, and in total, 27 provinces have been involved in publishing articles in these seven conferences. Researchers from Razavi-Khorasan and South-Khorasan provinces have participated in 271 and 156 articles, respectively, during the seven conference sessions as authors, and in this respect, they have a much higher share compared to the other provinces of the country. So far, researchers from 180 universities and research centers have participated as authors in all sessions of the National Conference of Saffron, the lowest and highest number of which are related to the first and seventh sessions of the conference with 9 and 100 centers, respectively. Researchers from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (111 articles), University of Birjand (95 articles), Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Khorasan/Khorasan Razavi (66 articles), and University of Torbat Heydarieh (63 articles) have had the most presence as authors in the articles published during the seven sessions of the Saffron Conference. During all sessions of the conference, 923 authors have been present in the articles, the seventh and fifth sessions with 405 and 201 researchers, respectively, have had the largest share. Alireza Karbasi (Ferdowsi University of Mashhad), Behzad Sadeghi (Food Science and Technology Research Institute), Hamid-Reza Fallahi (University of Birjand), and Hassan Feizi (University of Torbat Heydarieh- Saffron institute) have been the most influential researchers during the sessions of the National Conference on Saffron, with 21, 16, 16, and 15 articles, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, the findings reveal a growing interest among researchers across various provinces of Iran in conducting saffron-related studies. By directing future research towards emerging topics and disseminating the outcomes of prior studies in the field, these efforts could significantly help close the yield gap in saffron production. در این پژوهش مستندسازی همایشهای ملی زعفران ایران و ارزیابی کمّی اطلاعات علمی منتشر شده در این همایشها مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. استانهای خراسان جنوبی (سه دوره) و خراسان رضوی (چهار دوره) تنها برگزار کنندگان این همایشها بودهاند. تاکنون 98 محقق در کمیته علمی دورههای مختلف این همایشها عضویت داشتهاند. در طی هفت دوره برگزاری این همایش، تعداد 601 مقاله منتشر شده است که بیشترین تعداد آن (239 مقاله) به هفتمین دوره همایش که توسط دانشگاه بیرجند برگزار شده است، تعلق دارد. در اولین دورة برگزاری همایش تنها از چهار استان کشور به همایش ملی زعفران مقاله ارسال شده است که این تعداد در آخرین دورة همایش به 20 استان رسیده است و در مجموع همایشها نیز تاکنون 27 استان در انتشار مقاله در این همایشها سهیم بودهاند. محققان استانهای خراسان رضوی و خراسان جنوبی به ترتیب در تعداد 271 و 156 مقاله در طی هفت دورة برگزاری همایش بهعنوان نویسنده مشارکت داشتهاند. تاکنون در طی تمامی دورههای برگزاری همایش ملی زعفران، محققان 180 دانشگاه و مرکز پژوهشی به عنوان نویسنده مشارکت داشتهاند که کمترین و بیشترین تعداد آن بهترتیب با 9 و 100 مرکز، مربوط به اولین و هفتمین دورة همایش میباشد. محققان دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد (111 مقاله)، دانشگاه بیرجند (95 مقاله)، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان/خراسان رضوی (66 مقاله) و دانشگاه تربتحیدریه (63 مقاله) بیشترین حضور بهعنوان نویسنده (انفرادی یا اشتراکی با سایر مراکز علمی) در مقالات منتشر شده در طی هفت دورة برگزاری همایش زعفران را داشتهاند. در طی تمامی دورههای برگزاری همایش تعداد 923 نویسنده در مقالات حضور داشتهاند که دورههای هفتم و پنجم بهترتیب با 405 و 201 محقق، بیشترین سهم را داشتهاند. علیرضا کرباسی، بهزاد صادقی، حمیدرضا فلاحی و حسن فیضی بهترتیب با 21، 16، 16 و 15 مقاله، اثرگذارترین محققان در طی دورههای برگزاری همایش ملی زعفران بودهاند. در مجموع، نتایج بیانگر توجه روزافزون محققان در استانهای مختلف ایران به انجام پژوهشهای مرتبط با زعفران میباشد.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3498_fd9dcf1d146272bb05c490d790b6da52.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Studying the Effects of Manure and Zeolite on Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization Efficiency of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Under Deficit Irrigation Conditions مطالعه اثرات کود دامی و زئولیت بر کارایی جذب و مصرف نیتروژن زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) تحت شرایط کم‌آبیاری 219 236 3675 10.22077/jsr.2025.9948.1286 FA جواهر رحمانیان دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد، گروه اگروتکنولوژی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. مرتضی گلدانی دانشیار، گروه اگروتکنولوژی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. 0000-0002-2547-8014 فاطمه یعقوبی پژوهشگر پسادکتری، گروه اگروتکنولوژی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. 0000-0003-2735-3837 Journal Article 2025 08 19 Introduction: Saffron, scientifically known as Crocus sativus L., has a dark red, cream yellow, and orange color and a strong odor. Saffron also has stigmas of various shapes and is used in the food, pharmaceutical and raw dyeing industries. This plant is cultivated in an area of about 123,000 hectares of land in the world, and 85,000 hectares are under cultivation in Iran. According to statistics, 94% of the world's saffron is attributed to Iran. The saffron plant has been introduced into regional cultivation patterns due to its high drought tolerance. The use of animal manure in saffron fields, in addition to improving nutrients and preventing soil compaction, also increases corm growth. Zeolites are alkaline porous honeycomb structures of various shapes that reduce the toxicity of heavy metals in the soil such as cadmium, lead and nitrogen and manage irrigation efficiency. The application of cow manure ameliorates salt stress-induced inhibition of flowering by conserving soil moisture, strengthening the root system, increasing weight and improving cation exchange performance, which increases the photosynthesis of saffron plants and reduces flowering performance. Zeolites are natural aluminosilicates with tetrahedral structures of AlO₂⁻ and SiO₄⁴⁻, which are enlarged by the atoms of the equipment. They are economical, selective for nitrogen and have cation exchange. Nitrogen, as a rich source, plays a very positive role in photosynthesis, increasing cell division, producing large corms with a high number and, as a result, flowering in the field. The amount of nitrogen absorbed by a plant per unit of nitrogen applied to the soil is a key component of Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE).. An increase in nitrogen absorbed by the plant is directly related to an increase in nitrogen uptake efficiency in saffron. In general, smaller corms also have less total nitrogen. The main objective of this research is to investigate the water absorption efficiency and water consumption of saffron, which was carried out based on the different effects of zeolite and animal manure on water conditions. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the efficiency of nitrogen absorption and utilization and stigma yield of saffron at different levels of manure and zeolite under deficit irrigation conditions, a study was conducted in the 1401-1402 crop year at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The annual growth rate is about 150 million meters and this region has a cold and dry climate. This study was conducted in split plots based on a three-block basic design. Experiments were conducted with irrigation treatment at three levels (50, 75 and 100 percent of water requirement) as the main factor, manure consumption at three levels (9, 18 and 27 tons per ha) as a secondary factor, and zeolite consumption at three levels (0, 3 and 6 tons per ha) as a secondary factor. Before starting the study, the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil of the region, the characteristics of the cow manure used and specific comments were examined. The water requirement of saffron was calculated using CropWat software. Saffron corm cultivation was carried out in plots of 6 meters in September at a depth of about 15 cm of soil. Cultivable corms weighed about 8-12 grams and were planted manually. To measure leaf area, a leaf area measuring device (Lincoln, USALICOR, model LI-3100C) was used. In order to evaluate the performance of daughter corms, corms from each plot were removed from the soil in an area equivalent to 0.2 m × 0.2 m. The initial corm diameters were measured using a caliper. In this study, Irrigation was performed at specific timings: before flowering, after flowering, mid-March, and early April. Additionally, weed control was conducted manually on two occasions. In order to study the characteristics of saffron stigma, flowers were collected from each plot for about a month and the weight of the stigma was determined. Results and Discussion: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of manure and zeolite on leaf area index, leaf dry weight, stigma dry weight, corm number (5-7, 7-9 grams) and nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency of saffron under drought conditions. The results showed that under full irrigation, complete manure and complete zeolite conditions, we witnessed an increase in leaf area index and leaf dry weight. Also, in terms of stigma dry weight and saffron corm number under full irrigation, complete manure and complete zeolite conditions, the highest stigma dry weight and corm number (5-7, 7-9 grams) were obtained. Under full irrigation, complete manure and complete zeolite conditions, the percentage of saffron nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency increased significantly. Simultaneous application of manure and zeolite reduced the negative effects of drought stress on saffron agronomic characteristics. From the perspective of nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, it was found that treatments with full irrigation, along with the highest levels of manure and zeolite, provided the highest nitrogen uptake and utilization. In general, the results of this study indicate that although under-irrigation has a very high negative impact on nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, simultaneous application of manure and zeolite largely balances the negative effects and at the end of the crop year leads to an increase in the final yield of the field and an increase in the quality of the product from an economic perspective. Conclusion: The targeted co-application of manure and zeolite effectively mitigates drought stress, thereby enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and increasing saffron stigma yield. جهت تعیین کارایی جذب و مصرف نیتروژن و میزان عملکرد کلاله خشک و بررسی تعداد بنه زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) در سطوح مختلف کود دامی و زئولیت تحت شرایط کمآبیاری، پژوهشی در سال 1402-1401 در مزرعه دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، به‌صورت اسپلیت، اسپلیت پلات بر پایه طرح بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار اجرا شد. تیمارهای آزمایش آبیاری در سه سطح (50، 75 و 100 درصد نیاز آبی) ، استفاده ازکود دامی در سه سطح (9، 18 و 27 تن در هکتار) و زئولیت در سه سطح (0، 3 و 6 تن در هکتار) درنظرگرفته ‌شد. در تیمار (100 درصد نیاز آبی)، 27 تن در هکتار کود دامی و 6 تن در هکتار زئولیت شاهد افزایش به ترتیب 15 و107 و30 درصدی حداکثر شاخص سطح برگ، وزن خشک برگ و وزن خشک کلاله نسبت به تیمار50 درصد نیاز آبی، 9 تن در هکتار کود دامی و بدون زئولیت بودیم. بیشترین عملکرد کلاله خشک در تیمار 100 درصد نیاز آبی و تیمار 27 تن کود دامی و6 تن در هکتار زئولیت با افزایش 30درصدی نسبت به تیمار50 درصد نیاز آبی، 9 تن در هکتار کود دامی و بدون زئولیت حاصل شد. در شرایط آبیاری کامل و کود دامی 27 و 6 تن در هکتار زئولیت نسبت به آبیاری 75درصد به ترتیب به ‌میزان 30 درصد و 47درصد تعداد بنه با وزن 7- 5 و 9-7 گرم افزایش یافته و افزایش 217 درصدی در کارایی جذب نیتروژن و افزایش 48 درصدی درکارایی مصرف نیتروژن مشاهده شد.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3675_845f3cb43a07259b2e4724dfa5c5c0d1.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Evaluation of the Effect of Additive Application on the Efficacy of Haloxyfop R-Methyl Herbicide on Narrow-Leaved Weeds in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Fields ارزیابی اثر کاربرد مواد افزودنی بر کارایی علف‌کش هالوکسی فوپ آر متیل بر علف‌های هرز باریک‌برگ مزرعه زعفران (Crocus sativus L.) 252 237 3634 10.22077/jsr.2025.9793.1281 FA منصوره شجاعی دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. حسین حمامی دانشیار، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. عضو گروه پژوهشی گیاه و تنش‌های محیطی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-7310-4623 ,سید وحید اسلامی دانشیار، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. عضو گروه پژوهشی گیاه و تنش‌های محیطی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-5266-7216 سهراب محمودی دانشیار، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. عضو گروه پژوهشی گیاه و تنش‌های محیطی، دانشکده کشاورزی دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-7925-3259 Journal Article 2025 07 20 Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is recognized as an important medicinal and commercial plant in Iran, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. Weeds are recognized as a significant limiting factor in saffron production. Saffron suffers in its ability to compete with weeds for light, water, and nutrients due to its restricted vegetative development. Grass weeds are among the most significant and troublesome weeds affecting saffron. Significant and troublesome grass weeds in saffron fields comprise Hordeum murinum, Bromus tectorum, Hordeum spontaneum, Aegilops geniculata, and Lolium rigidum. The predominant technique for managing weeds in saffron fields is hand weeding, employed alongside other ways, including chemical approaches, due to its labor intensity, cost, and time requirements. Herbicide efficacy can be improved economically and effectively with adjuvants. Consequently, the application of adjuvants is suggested to improve the performance of herbicides that block acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Although a few studies have examined the efficacy of herbicides with additives in saffron cultivation, this study specifically investigates the effects of adjuvants combined with the herbicide haloxyfop R-methyl on grass weed density and biomass in a four-year-old field. Materials and Methods: The research employed a factorial design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in a four-year-old saffron field. Cultivation occurred in a 20 × 20 centimeter mound with a density of 4 corms per mound (equating to 100 corms per square meter). The research was conducted in a four-year-old field by using a factorial design based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor was haloxyfop R-methyl concentration at 0%, 50% (0.5 L or 54 g ai ha-1), 75% (0.75 L or 81 g ai ha-1), and 100% (1 L or 108 g ai ha-1) of the recommended dosage (108 g ha-1). The secondary factor was no additive, citogate oil, and corn oil (0.5% v/v). Corn oil was extracted using cold pressing, while Zarangaran Pars Company supplied citogate oil (an alkyl aryl polyglycol ether). Applications were conducted using a rechargeable sprayer calibrated with a uniform air nozzle (8002) at a pressure of 2 bars during the four-leaf stage of grass weeds. A plastic cover was employed prior to spraying to prevent wind drift. Broadleaf weeds were removed from all plots. Three plots were designated as no-weed control, whereas three plots were classified as complete weed control. Four weeks post-treatment, the quantity of grass weeds, including little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor), wild oat (Avena fatua), mouse barley (Hordeum murinum), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), was enumerated by species, and their dry weight was assessed following a 48 h exposure in an oven at 75°C. The density of live grass weeds was measured. The efficacy of weed management was determined by assessing the reduction in density and dry weight of each treatment relative to its respective control. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SAS 9.4 software. The FLSD test was utilized to compare means at a significance level of 5%. Results and Discussion: The analysis of variance results demonstrated the significant effect of the concentration of the herbicide haloxyfop R-methyl and adjuvant on the percentage reduction in the density of grass weeds in the saffron field, including mouse barley, wild oats, cheatgrass, little seed canary grass, and their total grass weed. The interaction effect between the herbicide concentration and the adjuvant was not significant only for wild oats; however, this interaction significantly influenced wild oats and cheatgrass at a 1% probability level, as well as the density of little seed canary grass and the overall count of grass weeds at a 5% probability level. An analysis of the treatment combinations, comparing complete weeding to no weeding, reveals an important difference in the percentage reduction of weed density. The application of citogate oil resulted in a 60.6% reduction in ryegrass density, 64.4% in wild oats, 60.4% in cheatgrass, and 76.5% in little seed canary grass, compared to the treatment without the adjuvant. The analysis of variance revealed that the basic impacts of herbicide concentration and adjuvant significantly influenced the percentage of dry weight decrease in all weeds. The interaction effect was significant only for ryegrass at p<0.01 and for little seed canary grass at p<0.05, but it had no significant impact on wild oats, cheatgrass, or the total dry weight of grass weeds. A significant difference was observed when examining the effects of treatment combinations with total weed control compared to no weeding on the percentage reduction of all weeds. In summary, the use of corn oil resulted in a reduction of the dry weight of mouse barley, wild oats, cheatgrass, little seed canary grass, and all grass weeds by 46.2%, 38.7%, 44.3%, 31.4%, and 23.7%, respectively, while citogate oil reduced the dry weight by 58.4%, 1.61%, 5.62%, 0.55%, and 7.47%, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the application of the herbicide haloxyfop R-methyl in conjunction with the adjuvant citogate enhances the efficacy of grass weed control. به‌منظور بررسی اثر کاربرد مواد افزودنی بر کارایی علف‌کش هالوکسی فوپ آر متیل بر علف‌های هرز باریک‌برگ مزرعه زعفران، پژوهشی به‌صورت فاکتوریل بر پایه طرح بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با سه تکرار در مزرعه چهارساله زعفران در منطقه سرایان در سال 1401 اجرا گردید. تیمارهای آزمایش شامل غلظت علف‌کش در چهار سطح شامل صفر، 50، 75 و 100 درصد دُز توصیه‌شده و ماده افزودنی در سه سطح بدون ماده افزودنی، روغن سیتوگیت و روغن ذرت (5/0درصد حجمی) بود. بر اساس نتایج تجزیه واریانس، اثر غلظت علف‌کش و مواد افزودنی بر درصد کاهش تراکم جو موشی، یولاف وحشی، علف پشمکی، خونی‌واش و مجموع آن‌ها معنی‌دار بود. در حالی که اثر متقابل فقط بر علف‌هرز یولاف وحشی معنی‌دار نبود. کاربرد روغن سیتوگیت منجر به کاهش بیشتر تراکم علف‌های هرز نسبت به تیمار بدون کاربرد مواد افزودنی گردید. نتایج تجزیه واریانس اثر معنی‌دار غلظت علف‌کش و ماده افزودنی بر درصد کاهش وزن خشک علف‌های هرز را نشان داد. اثر متقابل در جو موشی و خونی‌واش معنی‌دار بود. نتایج نشان داد که در علف‌های هرز جو موشی، یولاف وحشی، علف پشمکی، خونی‌واش و مجموع علف‌های هرز باریک‌برگ، افزودن روغن ذرت به ترتیب 2/46، 7/38، 3/44، 4/31 و 7/23 و سیتوگیت به ترتیب 4/58، 1/61، 5/62، 0/55 و 7/47 درصد وزن خشک را در غلظت توصیه‌شده و در مقایسه با عدم کاربرد مواد افزودنی کاهش دادند. درنهایت نتایج این مطالعه نشان داد که کاربرد علف‌کش هالوکسی فوپ آر متیل به همراه ماده افزودنی سیتوگیت می‌تواند منجر به افزایش کارایی کنترلی علف‌های هرز باریک برگ شود.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3634_e2eabaf96372e20a9e3d4b5f83723a61.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 The Synergetic Effect Between Extracted Dyes from Stigma and Petals of Saffron for Sensitizing TiO2 Nanoparticles for Harvesting the Light اثر همیاری بین رنگ‌های استخراج شده از گلبرگ و پرچم گل زعفران برای حساس‌سازی نانوذرات TiO2 جهت به دام‌انداختن نور 253 267 3692 10.22077/jsr.2025.8035.1285 FA شکوفه مقیمی نیا دانش آموخته دکتری، آزمایشگاه تحقیقاتی توسعه نانومواد جهت حفاظت محیط زیست، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0009-0001-0020-9854 حسین فرسی دانشیار، گروه شیمی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0001-6261-2449 حیدر رئیسی استاد، گروه شیمی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0003-1473-1501 محمد علی ناصری استاد، گروه شیمی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران. 0000-0002-2371-6680 Journal Article 2025 08 15 Introduction: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as promising alternative to conventional solar cells, largely due to their low cost and relatively simple fabrication process. The core of a DSSC is the photo-sensitizer dye, which absorbs sunlight and injects electrons into a semiconductor, typically nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2). While ruthenium-based dyes have achieved high efficiencies, their high cost and toxicity have spurred research into more affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives, particularly natural dyes. Saffron, Crocus Sativus L., is a valuable spice and has been studied for its health-promoting properties. The stigmas and petals of saffron contain various natural dyes, such as crocetin and pelargonidin, which are responsible for its vibrant color. This study investigates, for the first time, the potential of natural dyes extracted from the stigma and petals of Birjand saffron as co-sensitizers in DSSCs. We aim to explore the photoelectrochemical properties of these dyes and determine whether a synergistic effect exists when used together. Materials and Methods: Fresh saffron flowers were sourced from a farm in Noferest, Birjand, Iran. Dyes were extracted from the stigma, petals, and a 1:1 mixture of both, using absolute ethanol. These extracts were then used to sensitize a commercial anatase TiO2 paste, which was applied to an FTO conductive glass substrate using the doctor-blading technique and then sintered at 400 °C. A layer of larger TiO2 particles (300 nm) was applied as a reflector. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was employed to analyze the absorption characteristics of the dyes that were adsorbed onto the TiO2 nanoparticles. The photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared DSSCs were measured under simulated sunlight (100 mW/cm2) using I-V (current-voltage) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) via an AUTOLAB model. The resulting data facilitated the calculation of key parameters for the calculation of key parameters such as short-circuit current density (JSC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), fill factor (FF), and overall energy conversion efficiency (η). Results and Discussion: UV-Vis DRS analysis revealed that the dye from saffron stigma produced an absorption peak around 450 nm, while the dye from the petals showed a peak around 625 nm. When a mixture of the dyes was adsorbed, the resulting film displayed two distinct absorption peaks, demonstrating that both dyes successfully co-adsorbed and collectively broadened the absorption range of the TiO2 film from 375 nm to 750 nm. The photoelectrochemical performance of the DSSCs was evaluated. The cell sensitized by the mixed dye extract exhibited a significantly higher energy conversion efficiency (η) compared to the cells sensitized by the individual stigma and petal extracts. Notably, the efficiency of the co-sensitized cell was 46% higher than the linear superposition of the individual cell efficiencies. This non-linear effect confirms a synergistic interaction between the dyes, where their combined performance exceeds the sum of their individual contributions. This synergistic effect is likely due to more efficient energy transfer and enhanced light harvesting across the broader absorption spectrum. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data further supported this finding. The EIS Nyquist plots showed a deviated semicircle for each cell, with the characteristic frequency for electron lifetime being 14.3 Hz, 20.3 Hz, and 4.9 Hz for the stigma, petal, and mixed-dye cells, respectively. These frequencies correspond to electron lifetimes of approximately 70 ms, 50 ms, and 200 ms. The significantly longer electron lifetime in the co-sensitized cell indicates that the co-adsorption of the saffron stigma and petal dyes effectively reduces the recombination rate of electrons, contributing to the enhanced performance. Conclusion: This study successfully demonstrated the use of natural dyes extracted from both the stigma and petals of saffron as photo-sensitizers for DSSCs. We found that co-adsorption of these dyes on nanostructured TiO2 particles results in a broad and effective light absorption spectrum. The energy conversion efficiency of the co-sensitized cell was found to be 46% higher than the linear sum of the individual dye-sensitized cells, revealing a significant synergistic effect. Furthermore, impedance spectroscopy confirmed that this synergistic effect is coupled with a reduced electron recombination rate and an increased electron lifetime. These findings suggest that saffron extracts, particularly when used in combination, hold great promise as a viable, low-cost, and non-toxic alternative to conventional synthetic dyes for solar cell applications. سل‌های خورشیدی حساس‌شده با رنگ، نسل سوم سل‌های خورشیدی می‌باشند که کاربرد روزافزونی به عنوان سل فوتوولتاییک پیدا کرده‌اند. یکی از معضلات این سل‌ها گرانی و سمی بودن رنگ‌های سنتزی است که به عنوان حساس‌کننده در این سل‌ها به کار می‌روند. یکی از راه‌های غلبه بر این مشکل استفاده از رنگ دانه‌های طبیعی است. در این تحقیق، رنگ‌های طبیعی از پرچم و گلبرگ زعفران استخراج شده و به عنوان حساس‌کننده نوری مورد استفاده قرار گرفتند. مطالعات طیف‌سنجی نشان‌داد که جذب رنگ‌های پرچم و گلبرگ، فاصله نوارهای انرژی آناتاز را به 4/2 و 8/1 الکترون ولت کاهش می‌دهد. همچنین، مشخص شد که برای سلولی که توسط مخلوطی از رنگ‌های استخراج شده حساس شده است، یک راندمان تبدیل انرژی (η) معادل 51/0% بدست آمد که حدود 46٪ بیشتر از راندمانی است که با برهم‌نهی خطی سلول‌های حساس‌شده توسط رنگ‌های استخراج شده از پرچم (22/0%) و گلبرگ (13/0%)، به صورت جداگانه به دست می‌آید. این نشان می‌دهد که حساس‌سازی هم‌زمان رنگ‌های مخلوط شامل یک اثر هم‌افزایی در انتقال انرژی سل‌های خورشیدی مزومتخلخل TiO2 حساس شده با رنگ است. همچنین، مطالعات طیف‌سنجی امپدانس الکتروشیمیایی نشان داد که طول عمر الکترون تحریک شده در مخلوط رنگ‌های استخراج شده از گلبرگ و پرچم زعفران، بیشتر از طول عمر این الکترون در هر کدام از رنگ‌های استخراج شده از پرچم و یا گلبرگ به تنهایی می‌باشد.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3692_882735cbdfd9f810814d17892ae50023.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Design and Dynamic Analysis of a Bio-Inspired Three-Finger Gripper for Mechanized Saffron Flowers Harvesting طراحی و تحلیل دینامیکی گریپر سه‌انگشتی الهام‌گرفته از برداشت دستی برای برداشت مکانیزه‌ی گل زعفران 268 286 3829 10.22077/jsr.2025.10291.1289 FA شیما شادمانی دانشجوی دکتری، مهندسی مکانیک بیوسیستم، دانشکده فناوری ابوریحان، دانشگاه تهران، تهران 0009-0004-6276-9293 شهریار کوراوند دانشیار، مهندسی مکانیک بیوسیستم، دانشکده فناوری ابوریحان، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران. 0000-0003-1685-0440 پیام زرافشان دانشیار، مکانیک سامانه های هوشمند، دانشکدگان علوم و فناوری‌های میان رشته‌ای، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران. 0000-0003-2462-8217 مجید قربانی جاوید دانشیار، گروه علوم زراعی و اصلاح نباتات، دانشکده فناوری ابوریحان، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-1273-2079 Journal Article 2025 10 21 Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most valuable agricultural products in Iran, contributing over 90% of the world’s total production. Despite its economic importance, the harvesting process remains fully manual, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, leading to high labor costs and potential contamination. The mechanization of saffron harvesting has been hindered by the flower’s fragility, irregular planting patterns, and short harvesting period. In recent years, robotic systems equipped with intelligent end-effectors have shown promise for delicate crop harvesting. However, no practical gripper specifically designed for saffron flowers has been successfully implemented. Therefore, this study aimed to design, model, and analyze the dynamic behavior of a three-finger robotic gripper inspired by the natural hand motion used in manual saffron picking in order to provide a feasible solution for the mechanized harvesting of saffron flowers. Materials and Methods: In this study, a three-finger mechanical gripper inspired by the manual harvesting of saffron flowers was designed and modeled. The design, developed in SolidWorks, replicated the natural motion of human fingers to enable accurate flower picking without causing damage. Since manual harvesting involves holding the flower with three fingers to separate it from its sheath, the gripper was equipped with three fingers arranged 120° apart to mimic this action. The system is driven by a single electric motor connected to a cam–follower mechanism that converts rotary motion into linear movement. This motion is transmitted through prismatic joints to the fingers, causing them to open and close simultaneously. Two parallel springs between the slider and finger links ensure continuous contact between the cam and follower, allowing smooth and synchronized finger motion. The mechanism’s single degree of freedom enables all three fingers to move together, simplifying control while maintaining stability and precision. A complete 3D model of the gripper, including fingers, cam-follower, and springs, was created in SolidWorks and dynamically analyzed in MSC ADAMS. All parts were modeled as rigid bodies with appropriate joints and constraints. The cam motion was defined as a time-dependent displacement to simulate constant-speed rotation, instead of applying a real motor torque. The spring stiffness and contact parameters were defined based on the characteristics of the saffron flower. Results and Discussion: The simulation results demonstrated that the designed three-finger gripper performed efficiently and consistently. The maximum displacement of each finger was approximately 8 cm, providing a suitable workspace corresponding to the typical dimensions of saffron flowers. This confirms that the gripper can easily encompass the flower during the harvesting process. The velocity analysis indicated that the finger speed upon contact with the flower stem was less than 10 mm/s, a level low enough that the resulting force is minimal and prevents mechanical impact or damage to the delicate flower structure. Furthermore, the contact forces generated by the fingers were very close to the target value (0.9 N to 1.2 N), remaining within the safe range for handling the flower without deformation or detachment. Minor variations between the forces applied by individual fingers (less than 5%) were attributed to small geometric asymmetries in the model or numerical effects from the dynamic simulation, both negligible in practice. Overall, the obtained results confirm that the designed gripper provides smooth and synchronized motion, appropriate workspace, and safe interaction forces. These findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed design for mechanical harvesting of saffron flowers, ensuring stable and gentle operation consistent with the natural hand motion observed in manual picking. Conclusion: The results confirm that the bio-inspired three-finger gripper developed in this study can effectively replicate manual saffron harvesting, maintaining both structural stability and gentle contact with the flower. The dynamic analysis results demonstrate its potential for use in mechanized saffron harvesting systems, which could reduce labor requirements and improving operational efficiency. Future research will focus on prototyping and field testing to evaluate real-world performance, as well as further optimizing the actuation mechanism for integration with autonomous or semi-automatic harvesting systems. زعفران یکی از ارزشمندترین محصولات کشاورزی ایران است و برداشت آن همچنان به‌صورت سنتی و دستی انجام می‌شود. این روش، علاوه بر نیاز به نیروی انسانی زیاد و زمان‌بر بودن، خطر انتقال آلودگی و کاهش کیفیت محصول را نیز به همراه دارد. در این پژوهش، یک گریپر سه‌انگشتی با الهام‌ از برداشت دستی زعفران طراحی و مدل‌سازی شده است. طراحی اولیه در محیط نرم‌افزار SolidWorks انجام گرفت و پارامترهای حرکتی و هندسه‌ی انگشت‌ها متناسب با ساختار ظریف و حساس گل زعفران بهینه‌سازی شد. همچنین، عملکرد گریپر در محیط نرم‌افزار MSC ADAMS با هدف تحلیل دینامیکی نیروهای وارد بر گل و ارزیابی حرکت انگشت‌ها شبیه‌سازی شد. نتایج شبیه‌سازی نشان می‌دهد که گریپر با اعمال نیرویی بین ۰٫۹ تا ۱٫۲ نیوتون به ساقه، که با محاسبات تئوریک نیز همخوانی دارد، قادر است گل زعفران را با حداقل فشار و بدون ایجاد آسیب برداشت کند. این طراحی می‌تواند گامی مؤثر در جهت مکانیزه‌سازی فرآیند برداشت زعفران و افزایش چشمگیر بهره‌وری تولید باشد.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3829_b7d0858d41a6c29b873e4aba411e6d04.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 The Multidimensional Effects of Saffron on Physiological Indices in Various Types of Exercise Training تأثیرات چند بعدی زعفران بر شاخص‌های فیزیولوژیکی انواع تمرینات ورزشی در مطالعات انسانی : یک مرور سیستماتیک 287 305 3864 10.22077/jsr.2026.10546.1296 FA نرگس یزدان نسب دانشجوی دکتری زیست‌شناسی سلولی و مولکولی، گروه زیست‌شناسی، دانشکده علوم، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران. 0009-0000-6886-6570 اسداله اسدی استاد گروه زیست‌شناسی، دانشکده علوم، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران. 0000-0003-3314-2948 امیرحسین حرمتی اوغول بیگ دانشجوی دکتری فیزیولوژی ورزشی، گروه فیزیولوژی ورزشی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روان‌شناسی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران. 0009-0001-1281-0612 عمر حسین حران گروه بیوتکنولوژی کشاورزی، دانشکده بیوتکنولوژی، دانشگاه القادسیه، الدیوانیه، عراق. 0000-0002-3185-4557 Journal Article 2025 11 24 Introduction: Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron, is a valuable spice renowned for its bioactive-enriched compounds, primarily crocin, safranin, and picrocrocin. These constituents are responsible for its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulatory properties. In the realm of sports nutrition, these characteristics have prompted investigation into saffron's potential as a natural ergogenic aid, capable of countering the physiological stresses induced by different exercise modalities. Aerobic exercise often leads to central and peripheral oxidative stress, while resistance training primarily causes mechanical muscle damage and local inflammation. Concurrent training, which combines both, presents the unique challenge of the "interference effect," which can blunt muscular adaptations. Emerging clinical evidence suggests saffron may have pleiotropic and specific benefits for each of these training patterns. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the recent evidence (from 2020 to 2025) regarding the multi-dimensional effects of saffron supplementation on a wide range of physiological, metabolic, and inflammatory indices across aerobic, resistance, and concurrent exercise regimens. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic narrative review following the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility. A comprehensive search was performed in several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, and ISC, for relevant literature published between 2020 and 2025. Keywords and their Boolean combinations included "saffron," "Crocus sativus," "crocin," "exercise," "aerobic training," "resistance training," "concurrent training," "metabolic markers," and "inflammation." Inclusion criteria encompassed human clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, and RCTs that involved saffron supplementation combined with an exercise intervention and reported at least one physiological outcome. Animal studies, review articles, and studies with insufficient methodological detail were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. Data were systematically extracted and qualitatively synthesized into tables categorized by exercise type due to heterogeneity in protocols, saffron doses, and populations. Results and Discussion: Aerobic Training & Saffron: Saffron enhanced the benefits of aerobic exercise by significantly improving antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress markers (e.g., MDA), and improving glycemic control (fasting glucose, HOMA-IR) and lipid profiles. It also led to a greater reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and cardiovascular risk markers (fibrinogen, homocysteine), ultimately contributing to increased endurance capacity and accelerated recovery. Resistance Training & Saffron: When combined with resistance training, saffron significantly attenuated markers of muscle damage (CK, LDH) and inflammation, reduced DOMS, and facilitated greater improvements in maximal strength and training volume. It also showed benefits for metabolic health and was associated with improved psychological outcomes, such as reduced depression scores in clinical populations. Concurrent Training & Saffron: In concurrent training programs, saffron supplementation demonstrated a potential to modulate the interference effect. It helped maintain or even enhance resistance-based adaptations (muscle strength and volume) while simultaneously supporting aerobic improvements (endurance, VO₂max), leading to more balanced and comprehensive physiological adaptations. The discussion interprets these findings as being largely driven by saffron's core mechanisms of action: enhancing antioxidant defenses, suppressing inflammatory pathways, and improving metabolic regulation. This multi-system action allows it to effectively complement the specific physiological demands of each exercise type. While most evidence is positive, some short-term, high-intensity studies showed null effects, potentially due to differences in protocol and population. Limitations of the current body of evidence include heterogeneity in saffron doses and extract composition, relatively small sample sizes, a focus on specific populations, and a general lack of long-term follow-up. Conclusion: This systematic review concludes that saffron supplementation acts as a potent, multi-system ergogenic aid that consistently enhances physiological adaptations across various exercise modalities. By bolstering antioxidant defenses, reducing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle damage, and improving glycemic and lipid metabolism, saffron effectively creates a synergy with aerobic, resistance, and concurrent training. This synergy translates to tangible benefits, including increased endurance capacity, accelerated strength recovery, and potentially mitigated interference in concurrent training. Consequently, saffron establishes itself as a safe, natural, and effective nutritional strategy for optimizing exercise performance and enhancing recovery in both athletic and clinical populations. مطالعه حاضر با هدف مرور سیستماتیک شواهد انسانی در مورد تأثیرات چندبعدی مکمل ‌زعفران بر شاخص‌های فیزیولوژیکی در انواع تمرینات ورزشی (هوازی، مقاومتی و ترکیبی) و با جستجوی نظامند در پایگاه‌های اطلاعاتی معتبر PubMed، Scopus، Web of Science، Google Scholar، SID و ISC بین سال‌های ۲۰۲۰ تا ۲۰۲۵ انجام گرفت و فرآیند انتخاب مطالعات مطابق دستوالعمل PRISMA صورت پذیرفت. در مجموع، پس از غربالگری اولیه و ارزیابی معیارهای ورود و خروج، ۱۷ مطالعه انسانی واجد شرایط در مرور نهایی گنجانده شد. یافته‌های این مرور حاکی از آن است که زعفران می‌تواند پتانسیل ایفای نقش به‌عنوان یک کمک ‌ارگوژنیک طبیعی و چندمنظوره داشته باشد. در تمرینات هوازی، زعفران با بهبود دفاع آنتی‌اکسیدانی، شاخص گلیسمی و پروفایل لیپیدی، و کاهش نشانگرهای التهابی، ظرفیت استقامتی و کیفیت ریکاوری را افزایش می‌دهد. در تمرینات مقاومتی، این مکمل با کاهش قابل‌توجه نشانگرهای آسیب عضلانی و التهاب، به افزایش قدرت و تسریع بازیابی کمک می‌کند. در مورد تمرینات ترکیبی، زعفران با تعدیل پدیده تداخل، امکان دستیابی همزمان به سازگاری‌های مطلوب هوازی و مقاومتی را فراهم می‌سازد. می‌توان بیان کرد که مکمل‌ زعفران با مکانیسم‌های آنتی‌اکسیدانی، ضدالتهابی و تنظیم‌کنندگی متابولیک، به‌طور هم‌افزایی عملکرد ورزشی را بهینه کرده و ریکاوری را تسهیل می‌نماید و گزینه‌ای ایمن و مؤثر برای ورزشکاران و جمعیت‌های بالینی محسوب می‌شود.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3864_4f8bc5ac1dc2b49434efe9e72f183de8.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Cultivation Potential Zoning in Fars Province پهنه‌بندی نواحی مستعد کشت زعفران (.Crocus sativus L) در استان فارس 306 332 3881 10.22077/jsr.2026.10735.1298 FA ویدا علی یاری دانشجوی دکتری توسعه کشاورزی، گروه مدیریت توسعه روستایی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه یاسوج، یاسوج، ایران. 0009-0002-2309-0734 مریم شریف زاده دانشیار، گروه مدیریت توسعه روستایی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه یاسوج، یاسوج، ایران. 0000-0001-6854-3923 Journal Article 2025 12 20 Introduction: Increasing water scarcity and accelerating climate change have made the transition toward low-water-use, high-value crops essential for ensuring agricultural sustainability in Iran’s arid and semi-arid regions. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) – with water requirements coincide with natural rainfall from autumn to early spring and a dormancy period throughout the hot, dry summer – represents a strategically valuable crop for these environments due to its drought tolerance and high economic return. Despite suitable ecological conditions, the cultivated saffron area in Fars Province during the 2024–2025 agricultural year was only 976.89 ha, with an average yield of 4.01 kg ha⁻¹ — well below the crop’s potential productivity. This situation reflects spatial mismatches between cultivated sites and areas of favorable ecological capacity. The main objective of this research was therefore to delineate saffron-suitable zones across Fars Province using a spatially explicit, multi-criteria framework integrating biophysical and infrastructural factors to inform targeted development policies. This study, for the first time in Fars Province, simultaneously evaluates climatic, physical, and accessibility–infrastructure criteria, while previous research in other provinces focused primarily on natural parameters. Materials and Methods: The research employed a quantitative, descriptive–analytical design integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Geographic Information System (GIS), and fuzzy logic. Twelve parameters were evaluated, grouped under three main categories: (1) Climatic: annual precipitation (optimal range: 200–400 mm), mean annual temperature (12–21 °C), and minimum (5–15 °C) and maximum (18–30 °C) temperatures; (2) Physical: elevation (1,000–2,500 m), slope (<10° for high suitability), aspect, soil texture (loam to silty loam), and land use; (3) Accessibility–Infrastructure: distances to road networks, population centers, and rivers. Weights were derived from pairwise comparisons conducted by 26 experts in agronomy, soil science, and urban–rural planning, all with at least five years of professional or academic experience in the province. Spatial datasets included a 30-m NASA DEM, long-term climatic records from 29 meteorological stations, land use maps from the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Organization, and soil data from the Soil Grids global database. Layers were standardized using linear fuzzy membership functions and integrated via a weighted fuzzy overlay in GIS. The final zoning was classified into five suitability levels using the Natural Breaks (Jenks) method and validated against official saffron cultivation and production data for 2024–2025. Results and Discussion: The results indicated that the climatic criteria exerted the highest influence (weight = 0.54), with annual precipitation identified as the most critical sub-criterion (sub-weight = 0.45), followed by mean annual temperature (0.26) and maximum temperature (0.17). Within the physical group (weight = 0.30), elevation (0.41) and slope (0.28) were the most decisive, while in the infrastructure group (weight = 0.16), the distance to road networks showed the highest importance (0.54). The consistency ratios for all comparison matrices were below 0.1, confirming logical expert judgments (average = 0.02). Spatial modeling revealed that 24.98% (30,538.71 km²) of the province is highly suitable, 30.98% (37,877.80 km²) suitable, and 23.93% moderately suitable, indicating that more than 55% of Fars Province has favorable ecological potential for saffron cultivation. Only 4.29% (5,246.02 km²) of the province was classified as unsuitable, corresponding mainly to hot southern counties (Lar, Lamerd, Khonj) and steep northern slopes (Izadkhast, Bavanat). Model validation confirmed a 96.70% spatial concordance between actual cultivated areas (944.7 ha out of 976.89 ha) and predicted suitable classes, as well as 96.74% conformity with total provincial production (3.80 t of 3.93 t), demonstrating strong predictive power and model reliability. Conclusion: The integrated AHP–Fuzzy–GIS framework reveals that Fars Province possesses extensive but underutilized potential for sustainable saffron cultivation. The wide gap between potential (over 55% of provincial area) and current utilization (<1,000 ha) highlights the lack of spatially informed policy. The study’s zoning map provides a scientific basis for smart, evidence-based agricultural planning, including: (1) prioritizing governmental incentives (subsidies, credit facilities) for highly suitable and suitable zones; (2) improving moderately suitable areas through supplemental irrigation and soil management; (3) prohibiting saffron cultivation in unsuitable zones to prevent resource waste; and (4) developing a regional saffron value chain through local processing and branding (Fars Saffron). Although model accuracy was high, constraints such as the temporal resolution of climate data and expert subjectivity in weight assignment must be considered in policy implementation. Overall, this spatial decision-support framework contributes to improving water productivity, enhancing farmers’ incomes, and promoting sustainable rural economic development under ongoing water scarcity conditions. با توجه به تشدید بحران آب و تغییرات اقلیمی، کشاورزی پایدار مبتنی بر محصولات کم‌آب و با ارزش اقتصادی ضرورت یافته است. زعفران، به‌دلیل هم‌زمانی دوره نیاز آبی‌اش با بارش‌های طبیعی پاییز تا اوایل بهار، ورود به دوره خواب در تابستان بدون نیاز به آبیاری، تحمل خشکی و ارزش اقتصادی بالا، گزینه‌ای امیدبخش برای مناطق خشک و نیمه‌خشک ایران است. این پژوهش، برای نخستین‌بار در استان فارس، تناسب اراضی کشت زعفران را با تلفیق جامع سه دسته معیار اقلیمی (بارش سالانه مؤثر در فصول رشد در بازه مناسب 400-200.1 میلی‌متر، دمای میانگین سالانه 21-12.1 درجه سانتی‌گراد، متوسط حداقل دما 15-5 درجه سانتی‌گراد و متوسط حداکثر دما 30-18 درجه سانتی‌گراد)، فیزیکی (ارتفاع 2500-1000 متر، شیب کمتر از 10 درجه برای رده‌های بسیار مستعد تا مستعد، جهت‌های جنوبی و جنوب‌شرقی، خاک لومی و لوم سیلتی) و دسترسی- زیرساختی (فاصله از جاده‌ها، مراکز جمعیتی و رودخانه‌ها) ارزیابی کرد؛ در حالی که مطالعات مشابه در سایر استان‌ها عمدتاً معیارهای طبیعی را در نظر گرفته‌اند. داده‌های مکانی و اقلیمی بر اساس آمار سال ۱۴۰۲ و با مشارکت ۲۶ کارشناس متخصص، با استفاده از روش تحلیل سلسله‌مراتبی و منطق فازی در محیط سامانه اطلاعات جغرافیایی تلفیق شدند و نقشه نهایی به پنج رده تناسب تقسیم گردید. نتایج نشان داد که طبقه بسیار مستعد با سطحی معادل 30538.71 کیلومترمربع (24.98 درصد از کل استان) و طبقه مستعد با 37877.80 کیلومترمربع (30.98 درصد از کل استان) از پتانسیل بالایی برای توسعه کشت زعفران برخوردارند. همچنین، 23.93 درصد دیگر در طبقه نسبتاً مستعد قرار دارد که با مدیریت مناسب قابل تبدیل به اراضی تولیدی است. در مقابل، تنها 4.29 درصد از مساحت استان به‌دلیل محدودیت‌های فیزیکی و اقلیمی نامناسب ارزیابی شد. این پژوهش با توسعه چارچوبی سه‌بعدی و کاربردی، گامی مؤثر در جهت کشاورزی پایدار و تخصیص هوشمند منابع در استان فارس برداشته است.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3881_a1c5aff9679455a233086e26b72b9a06.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 The Effect of Culture Depth and Type of Substrate on Flowering and Production of Saffron Corm (Crocus sativus L.) اثر عمق کشت و منابع مختلف کود‌های آلی بر گلدهی و تولید پداژه زعفران (.Crocus sativus L) 333 352 3938 10.22077/jsr.2026.10547.1295 FA مریم کمالی دانش آموخته دکتری، گروه علوم باغبانی و مهندسی فضای سبز، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. 0000-0002-0651-1333 یحیی سلاح ورزی دانشیار، گروه علوم باغبانی و مهندسی فضای سبز، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. 0000-0003-0395-5876 حسین محمدپور دانش آموخته کارشناسی ارشد، گروه علوم باغبانی و مهندسی فضای سبز، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد، ایران. Journal Article 2026 01 04 Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a high-value medicinal and culinary crop, whose productivity depends largely on optimal floral yield and efficient daughter corm production. Growth substrate and planting depth are among the most influential agronomic factors affecting flowering, corm development, and the accumulation of key secondary metabolites such as crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Organic amendments including mushroom compost and vermicompost have recently attracted attention for their ability to improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and root growth. Despite this interest, limited studies have examined the combined effects of substrate composition and planting depth on saffron performance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate how different organic substrates and two planting depths influence flower yield, daughter corm traits, and biochemical quality in saffron over two consecutive growing seasons. Material and methods: This study was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons (2019–2020 and 2020–2021) at the Horticultural Science Research Orchard of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to evaluate the effects of planting depth and growth substrate on flower and daughter corm production in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The experiment was arranged as a factorial based on a completely randomized design with four replications under pot conditions. Treatments consisted of two planting depths (10 and 20 cm) and five substrate compositions, including 60 t ha⁻¹ of farmyard manure, 20 t ha⁻¹ of mushroom compost, 20 t ha⁻¹ of pine leaf compost, 10 t ha⁻¹ of vermicompost, and native soil as the control. Results and discussion: The results revealed that substrates containing mushroom compost and vermicompost produced the highest number of flowers. Dry flower weight, as well as fresh and dry stigma weight, were significantly greater in the mushroom-compost substrate compared with the other treatments, whereas the lowest values were recorded in the control soil. The results indicate that the interaction effect of year and planting depth had a significant impact on the number of saffron flowers produced. In the second year, the number of flowers in plants cultivated at a depth of 10 cm was 20.4% higher than in plants cultivated at a depth of 20 cm. This finding highlights the advantage of shallower planting depths under specific climatic conditions, leading to reduced environmental stress and improved growth conditions in the second year. Furthermore, the number of daughter corms in the vermicompost medium at depths of 20 cm and 10 cm increased by 2.8 and 3.4 times, respectively, compared to the control soil at the same depths. This significant increase in the number of daughter corms may be attributed to the improved physical and chemical properties of the vermicompost medium, which contributes to better nutrient supply and moisture retention. Regarding the diameter of daughter corms, the results showed that in the treatments involving a planting depth of 20 cm, the corm diameter in the mushroom compost, vermicompost, and animal manure treatments was 35%, 35%, and 29.3% greater, respectively, than in the control soil at the same depth. The concentrations of safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin in the harvested flowers were significantly higher in the second year compared with the first. In addition, these biochemical traits were enhanced in corms planted at 10 cm relative to 20 cm, with the highest contents consistently observed in the vermicompost substrate. Overall, across both experimental years, a planting depth of 10 cm proved more suitable for maximizing flower production, whereas a depth of 20 cm was superior for daughter corm development. Vermicompost and mushroom compost substrates appeared to be the most favorable media for improving both floral yield and daughter corm characteristics in saffron cultivation. The superior flower yield in mushroom compost and vermicompost substrates indicates that improved nutrient availability and aeration play a central role in promoting floral induction in saffron. The greater flower number at the 10-cm planting depth, especially in the second year, suggests that shallower planting enhances sprouting and resource allocation to flowers. In contrast, the higher number and larger size of daughter corms at the 20-cm depth reflect the benefits of a more stable and moist microenvironment for corm development. Increased crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal levels in the second year and at shallower depth highlight the influence of plant maturity and environmental conditions on metabolite synthesis. Conclusion: Overall, vermicompost and mushroom compost, when combined with a 10 cm depth for flower production and a 20-cm depth for corm formation, offer optimal conditions for saffron cultivation. با توجه به تاثیر عمق و نوع بستر کاشت بر عملکرد زعفران آزمایشی دو ساله در دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد انجام شد. آزمایش به صورت فاکتوریل سه عاملی با 4 تکرار طراحی و اجرا شد. تیمارهای آزمایش شامل دو عمق کشت (10 و 20 سانتی متری) و منابع مختلف کود آلی در 5 سطح (60 تن در هکتار کود دامی، 20 تن در هکتار کمپوست قارچ، 20 تن در هکتار برگ کاج، 10 تن در هکتار کود ورمی کمپوست و خاک پایه به عنوان شاهد) بود. نتایج نشان داد بسترهای حاوی کمپوست قارچ و ورمی کمپوست تعداد گل بیشتری تولید کردند. با توجه به اثر متقابل سال× عمق کشت، تعداد گل گیاهان کشت شده در عمق 10 سانتیمتری در سال دوم 20.4 % بیشتر از عمق 20 سانتیمتر بود. تعداد پداژه های دختری در بستر ورمی کمپوست در عمق 20 و 10 سانتیمتری به ترتیب 2.8 و 3.4 برابر نسبت به بستر خاک شاهد در همین عمق ها افزایش داشت. قطر پداژه های دختری نیز در سه تیمار کمپوست قارچ + عمق 20 سانتیمتری، ورمی کمپوست +20 سانتیمتری، و دامی +20 سانتیمتری به ترتیب 35، 35 و 29.3 % بیشتر از خاک شاهد در همین عمق بود. میزان سافرانال، کروسین و پیکروکروسین در گل های برداشت شده سال دوم به طور معنی دار بیشتر از سال اول بود. ضمن اینکه مقادیر این صفات در پداژه های کشت شده در عمق 10 سانتیمتری نسبت به 20 سانتیمتری بیشتر بود. به طور کلی در هر دو سال متوالی عمق 10 سانتیمتری برای تولید گل و عمق 20 سانتیمتری برای تولید پداژه دختری نتایج بهتری داشت. ضمن اینکه بستر حاوی ورمی کمپوست و کمپوست قارچ هم برای تولید گل و هم تولید پداژه مطلوب به نظر می رسد.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3938_74c407e263578d03d02c1123aa730b52.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Mapping Saffron Cultivation Areas Using Landsat 8-9 Time-Series and a Pixel-Based SVM Classification Method Mapping Saffron Cultivation Areas Using Landsat 8-9 Time-Series and a Pixel-Based SVM Classification Method 353 367 3957 10.22077/jsr.2026.11019.1301 FA میلاد جانعلی پور پژوهشگاه هوافضا، وزارت علوم تحقیقات و فناوری، تهران، ایران. 0000-0002-2543-314X نادیا عباس زاده طهرانی پژوهشگاه هوافضا، وزارت علوم تحقیقات و فناوری، تهران، ایران. 0000-0001-9247-4868 محمد جعفری سنجش از دور و سیستم اطلاعات جغرافیایی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران. 0009-0009-0828-8284 Journal Article 2026 02 19 Remote sensing provides an efficient and cost-effective way to estimate the cultivation area of agricultural crops. In this study, the cultivation area of saffron in Roshtkhar city was estimated using Landsat 8 and 9 time-series imagery and a pixel-based Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification method. The analysis, conducted for the Persian calendar year 1402 (2023 AD), identified approximately 450 hectares of saffron cultivation. An accuracy assessment indicated that the proposed method performed robustly. Based on test samples, classification of Landsat 8 imagery yielded an overall accuracy of approximately 92% and a user's accuracy of 95% for the saffron class. Results from Landsat 9 imagery were similarly high, with an overall accuracy of roughly 91% and a saffron class accuracy ranging from 90% to 93%. Consequently, while Landsat 8 demonstrated slightly superior performance in identifying saffron lands, both sensors proved highly effective for this application, confirming the suitability of the proposed method for distinguishing saffron from other land cover classes. Remote sensing provides an efficient and cost-effective way to estimate the cultivation area of agricultural crops. In this study, the cultivation area of saffron in Roshtkhar city was estimated using Landsat 8 and 9 time-series imagery and a pixel-based Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification method. The analysis, conducted for the Persian calendar year 1402 (2023 AD), identified approximately 450 hectares of saffron cultivation. An accuracy assessment indicated that the proposed method performed robustly. Based on test samples, classification of Landsat 8 imagery yielded an overall accuracy of approximately 92% and a user's accuracy of 95% for the saffron class. Results from Landsat 9 imagery were similarly high, with an overall accuracy of roughly 91% and a saffron class accuracy ranging from 90% to 93%. Consequently, while Landsat 8 demonstrated slightly superior performance in identifying saffron lands, both sensors proved highly effective for this application, confirming the suitability of the proposed method for distinguishing saffron from other land cover classes.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3957_86c51678350f656dcc7f490a43946ee5.pdf

دانشگاه بیرجند پژوهش‌های زعفران 2345-3869 13 2 2025 09 23 Investigating the effect of corm weight, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter on the growth and yield of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Investigating the Effect of Corm Weight, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Azotobacter on the Growth and Yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) 368 384 3538 10.22077/jsr.2025.9506.1280 FA زهره دهقانی دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد گیاهان دارویی، گروه علوم باغبانی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران محمد حسین امینی فرد دانشیار، گروه علوم باغبانی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0000-0002-9490-2616 محمد علی بهدانی استاد، گروه مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0000-0001-6182-700X مهدی جهانی دانشیار، گروه گیاهپزشکی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه بیرجند، بیرجند، ایران 0000-0001-9189-8271 Journal Article Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive agricultural product and one of the most valuable medicinal and spice plants that have many uses in the food and medicine industry. Iran is the largest producer and exporter of saffron in the world, and more than 90% of the world's annual saffron production is produced in Iran. A balanced supply of nutrients based on proper fertilizer management is one of the most effective factors in the sustainability of saffron production, especially in dry and semi-arid areas, so that up to 80% of the formation and yield changes of the saffron flower are determined under the influence of the variables governing the soil, especially the amount of organic matter. Soil fertility management is a proper strategy for increasing soil organic matter, strengthening microbial communities, enhancing agricultural input efficiency and eventually improving plant quantitative and qualitative yields. To attain this goal, the fertilization management program should be designed to increase nutrient use efficiency. Optimal nutrient delivery, controlled-release fertilizers, integrated fertilization management, the use of organic nutrient resources, and beneficial symbiotic microorganisms with plant roots are all examples of methods that helps achieving nutrient use efficiency. Chemical fertilizers are the most often used fertilizers in saffron fields, and their excess can jeopardize farmed soil and water quality, and reduce the yield of saffron. As a result, biological fertilizers have attracted more interest for being more safe, low-cost, and have fewer negative environmental effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the weight corm, mycorrhizal fungi, and Azotobacter biofertilizer on the growth and yield of saffron, so that by selecting the best amount of biofertilizers and the appropriate corm weight of the saffron corm. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of corm weight, mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter biofertilizer on growth and yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted in the 2022-2023 year as factorial based in randomized complete block design at the Birjand Agricultural Faculty. The experimental factors included three levels of corm weight (0.1 to 4, 4.1 to 8 and 8.1 to 12 g), two levels of bacterial biofertilizer (application and non-application of Azotobaror-1 fertilizer containing Pantoea agglomerans strain O4 bacteria) and two levels of mycorrhizal biofertilizer (containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomus etunicatum and a control without mycorrhiza). Bacterial treatments were applied in the first year of planting by inoculating saffron corms by preparing a suspension of the above bacteria mixed with distilled water in two times. The first time was done before planting by dipping the corms and the second time was done with irrigation 40 days after planting and also in the first irrigation of the second year according to the instructions of Zistfanavar Sabz Company. Mycorrhiza treatments were done at a rate of 10 grams for each corm by adding it to the planting hole at the time of planting according to the instructions of Danesh bonyan Zist Sepidan Hayat Paya Company. Results and Discussion: The results of the interaction effects of corm weight, mycorrhiza fungus, and Azotobacter bacteria on saffron vegetative traits in the first year of the experiment showed that the highest number of leaves per plant (9.33), average leaf dry weight (0.16 g), leaf length (37.00 cm), total weight of corm with scales (23.68 g), number of corms (5), average weight of main cormlet (21.15 g), and average weight of secondary cormlets (3.42 g) were obtained from corms weighing 8.1-12 g and the use of mycorrhiza fungus and Azotobacter bacteria. In the second year of the experiment, the highest number of flowers per square meter (83.96), flower yield (66.37 g.m-2), fresh stigma yield (32.2 g.m-2), and dry stigma yield (58.0 g.m-2) were obtained from 8.1-12 g corm and the use of mycorrhiza fungi and Azotobacter bacteria. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study indicated that growth and yield of saffron were improved with the simultaneous use of higher weight corm (8.1-12 g) and the use of mycorrhiza fungi and Azotobacter bacteria. Therefore, the use of biofertilizers and the development of mycorrhizal hyphae in agricultural soil, can improve saffron cultivation areas in sustainable agriculture and reduce the losses caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the most expensive agricultural product and one of the most valuable medicinal and spice plants that have many uses in the food and medicine industry. Iran is the largest producer and exporter of saffron in the world, and more than 90% of the world's annual saffron production is produced in Iran. A balanced supply of nutrients based on proper fertilizer management is one of the most effective factors in the sustainability of saffron production, especially in dry and semi-arid areas, so that up to 80% of the formation and yield changes of the saffron flower are determined under the influence of the variables governing the soil, especially the amount of organic matter. Soil fertility management is a proper strategy for increasing soil organic matter, strengthening microbial communities, enhancing agricultural input efficiency and eventually improving plant quantitative and qualitative yields. To attain this goal, the fertilization management program should be designed to increase nutrient use efficiency. Optimal nutrient delivery, controlled-release fertilizers, integrated fertilization management, the use of organic nutrient resources, and beneficial symbiotic microorganisms with plant roots are all examples of methods that helps achieving nutrient use efficiency. Chemical fertilizers are the most often used fertilizers in saffron fields, and their excess can jeopardize farmed soil and water quality, and reduce the yield of saffron. As a result, biological fertilizers have attracted more interest for being more safe, low-cost, and have fewer negative environmental effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the weight corm, mycorrhizal fungi, and Azotobacter biofertilizer on the growth and yield of saffron, so that by selecting the best amount of biofertilizers and the appropriate corm weight of the saffron corm. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of corm weight, mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter biofertilizer on growth and yield of saffron, an experiment was conducted in the 2022-2023 year as factorial based in randomized complete block design at the Birjand Agricultural Faculty. The experimental factors included three levels of corm weight (0.1 to 4, 4.1 to 8 and 8.1 to 12 g), two levels of bacterial biofertilizer (application and non-application of Azotobaror-1 fertilizer containing Pantoea agglomerans strain O4 bacteria) and two levels of mycorrhizal biofertilizer (containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomus etunicatum and a control without mycorrhiza). Bacterial treatments were applied in the first year of planting by inoculating saffron corms by preparing a suspension of the above bacteria mixed with distilled water in two times. The first time was done before planting by dipping the corms and the second time was done with irrigation 40 days after planting and also in the first irrigation of the second year according to the instructions of Zistfanavar Sabz Company. Mycorrhiza treatments were done at a rate of 10 grams for each corm by adding it to the planting hole at the time of planting according to the instructions of Danesh bonyan Zist Sepidan Hayat Paya Company. Results and Discussion: The results of the interaction effects of corm weight, mycorrhiza fungus, and Azotobacter bacteria on saffron vegetative traits in the first year of the experiment showed that the highest number of leaves per plant (9.33), average leaf dry weight (0.16 g), leaf length (37.00 cm), total weight of corm with scales (23.68 g), number of corms (5), average weight of main cormlet (21.15 g), and average weight of secondary cormlets (3.42 g) were obtained from corms weighing 8.1-12 g and the use of mycorrhiza fungus and Azotobacter bacteria. In the second year of the experiment, the highest number of flowers per square meter (83.96), flower yield (66.37 g.m-2), fresh stigma yield (32.2 g.m-2), and dry stigma yield (58.0 g.m-2) were obtained from 8.1-12 g corm and the use of mycorrhiza fungi and Azotobacter bacteria. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study indicated that growth and yield of saffron were improved with the simultaneous use of higher weight corm (8.1-12 g) and the use of mycorrhiza fungi and Azotobacter bacteria. Therefore, the use of biofertilizers and the development of mycorrhizal hyphae in agricultural soil, can improve saffron cultivation areas in sustainable agriculture and reduce the losses caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

https://jsr.birjand.ac.ir/article_3538_1458e7509aa5f47ecfb92536e7dd1dc7.pdf