Mahdi Ebrahimi; Mohsen Pouyan; Mohammad Ali Behdani; Sareh Hosseini; Tayebeh Shahi; Hosein Ragh Ara; hossein sahabi
Abstract
The research was conducted in split plots with a basic RCBD(Randomized Complete Block Design)over two consecutive years (2020-2021and2021-2022) at ACECR's research complex for medicinal plants.The experimental treatments consisted of two levels of drought stress (50% and 100% of saffron water requirement) ...
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The research was conducted in split plots with a basic RCBD(Randomized Complete Block Design)over two consecutive years (2020-2021and2021-2022) at ACECR's research complex for medicinal plants.The experimental treatments consisted of two levels of drought stress (50% and 100% of saffron water requirement) and six levels of fertilizer (control, 100% NPK, 50% NPK, 50% NPK with three biofertilizers, 50% NPK with four biofertilizers, and three biofertilizers). Due to increased drought stress, the nitrogen levels in saffron leaves and corms rose, whereas the phosphorus content in the leaves decreased significantly.These findings suggest that heightened drought stress can result in reduced phosphorus levels in saffron leaves. potassium content in saffron leaves remained unchanged under drought stress, but significantly increased in corms. In general, saffron leaves accumulated significantly higher amounts of nitrogen, potassium, iron, and zinc compared to the corms except for phosphorus.Fertilizer treatments significantly affected the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in saffron leaves and stems, while iron and zinc levels remained unaffected. Since daughter corms store phosphorus effectively from chemical fertilizers and saffron yield depends on the amount of phosphorus in daughter corms, it is not advisable to completely replace chemical fertilizers with biological fertilizers.The level of potassium in saffron leaves and stems was not affected by the fertilizer treatments, suggesting that the application of fertilizer did not impact potassium absorption. while the level of safranal was higher in the first year.Additionally, it was observed that drought stress did not significantly impact the levels of any of the apocarotenoids examined in this study. The overall conclusion is that it is possible to enhance the quality of saffron and make up for nutrient deficiencies through the concurrent application of biological and chemical fertilizers in saffron farms even under drought.However further research is necessary to clarify the unknown aspects of this area.
Sina Farshchin
Abstract
The study area, the Neyshabur Plain, is located between longitude 58°13′ to 59°30′ East and latitude 35°40′ to 36°39′ North. In order to evaluate and investigate methods of adaptation and mitigation of climate change consequences according to methods based on indigenous knowledge of farmers ...
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The study area, the Neyshabur Plain, is located between longitude 58°13′ to 59°30′ East and latitude 35°40′ to 36°39′ North. In order to evaluate and investigate methods of adaptation and mitigation of climate change consequences according to methods based on indigenous knowledge of farmers in the Neyshabur Plain watershed, the most important parameters of farmers were collected. Information such as personal characteristics (age, level of education of saffron farmers, etc.), type of water source and water Ec, soil texture, ownership and cultivation pattern, agricultural management methods (rate of chemical input consumption, irrigation method, use of innovative methods and use of indigenous knowledge) were collected among the water users of Neyshabur as a sample of farmers of this plain through a questionnaire using simple random sampling in 2018-19. The solutions were categorized and examined in four groups of measures, including increasing soil organic carbon content, biodiversity, water retention capacity in the soil and better use of available water (mulch, drought-resistant species, improving irrigation systems, and regulating the amount of fertilizer and available water consumption), and preventing greenhouse gas emissions (using legumes in crop rotation, using less chemical inputs, and increasing the use of organic fertilizer).
Ali Abedinzadeh; Seyed Ahmad Ghanbari; Mohammad Reza Asgharipour; Alireza Sirousmehr; Ahmad Ahmadian
Abstract
Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), recognized as the world’s most expensive agricultural and medicinal crop, holds a pivotal role in Iran’s agricultural economy, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as Torbat Heydarieh and Zaveh. After saffron harvest, the fields are typically ...
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Introduction: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), recognized as the world’s most expensive agricultural and medicinal crop, holds a pivotal role in Iran’s agricultural economy, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as Torbat Heydarieh and Zaveh. After saffron harvest, the fields are typically utilized for subsequent crops like cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), offering opportunities for crop diversification and income enhancement. This study addresses the economic challenges faced by farmers in saffron-producing regions of Iran, where soil fertility decline and water scarcity necessitate sustainable crop rotation strategies. Cumin, a drought-tolerant medicinal plant with significant export value, and sesame, a resilient oilseed crop, are promising candidates for post-saffron cultivation. The research aims to compare the quantitative and qualitative performance of these crops under varying land-use histories (saffron fields vs. fallow lands), providing insights into optimizing agricultural management and boosting farmers’ livelihoods. Understanding the influence of saffron residues, potential allelopathic effects, and soil conditions on subsequent crops is critical for developing effective farming practices in these regions.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted during the 2022-2023 growing season in Torbat Heydarieh and Zaveh, two key saffron-producing areas in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. A split-plot design within a randomized complete block arrangement with three replications was employed. Main plots consisted of two prior land-use types: fields with a 5-year fallow period and fields previously cultivated with saffron (corms removed post-harvest). Subplots included two plant species: cumin and sesame. Cumin was sown at 18 kg/ha and sesame at 6 kg/ha, with seeds sourced from the Khorasan Razavi Agricultural Jihad Organization. Fertilization involved urea (400 g/plot), triple superphosphate (300 g/plot), and potassium sulfate (300 g/plot), applied in stages tailored to each crop’s growth phases. Plots measured 10 m², with 1 m spacing between subplots and 2 m between main plots.
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