Abdollah Mollafilabi; Surur Khorramdel; Javad Shabahang
Abstract
Saffron is considered to be one of the most expensive agricultural products in the world. Saffron specific compounds are crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Different drying methods not only differ in energy consumption but also, influence the chemical and sensory properties of saffron. Accordingly, the ...
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Saffron is considered to be one of the most expensive agricultural products in the world. Saffron specific compounds are crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Different drying methods not only differ in energy consumption but also, influence the chemical and sensory properties of saffron. Accordingly, the current study was aimed to investigate the effect of different drying techniques on quality of saffron. The experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design with four replications at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Faculty of Agriculture, Mashhad Iran in 2017. Four different drying techniques i.e. traditional technique (shade dried at laboratory temperature), oven (at 40, 60 and 80°C), microwave (at 200, 400 and 600 watts), freeze (at -18°C for 5 hr and then heating at 60±5°C with evacuation intervals of 15, 10, 10 and 10 minutes) were considered as the treatments. Chemical tests were performed according to ISO 3632-2 (E) 1993 and safranal content was measured using chromatography. The results indicated that the highest and the lowest moisture content were observed in traditional method (7.23%) and microwave technique at 600 w (1.47%), respectively. Freezing technique declined drying time compared to traditional method up to 69%. Chemical properties of stigma including moisture percentage, total ash, insoluble ash in acid and soluble extract in cold water and nitrogen are in accordance with Iranian National Standards. The maximum picrocrocin (140.66%) and safranal (42.64%) were obtained when stigmas were dried using microwave technique at 600 w. The maximum crocin percentage was related to freezing technique (299.64 mg.kg-1). The maximum (245.91 mg.kg-1) and minimum (88.15) safranal weight percentage were observed when freezing and traditional techniques were practiced. The lowest picrocrocin, safranal and crocin contents were obtained for oven at 800°C with 38.01, 13.18 and 109.44%, respectively. According to the results, although preserving all the qualitative features of saffron during drying process seems difficult, in order to achieve a higher level of quality controlled methods such as microwave or freezing techniques are recommended.
Seyyed Javad Hosseini-Vashan; A.H Perai
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic saffron petal’s extract on growth performance, carcass components, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chicks. An experiment was done in Poultry husbandry research farm of University of Birjand at spring of 2018. ...
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic saffron petal’s extract on growth performance, carcass components, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chicks. An experiment was done in Poultry husbandry research farm of University of Birjand at spring of 2018. A total of 200 broiler chicks were distributed in 4 treatments including 5 replicates and 10 chicks per replicate (pen). Dietary treatments were involved the levels of 0, 300, 500 and 700 mg of petal extract of saffron per kg diet (ppm). The broiler chicks were fed in three feeding periods including starter (0-10 days), grower (11-24 days), and finisher period (25-42 days) and as the same time the performance data including feed intake, body weight gain and FCR were recorded. For immune response, in the days of 14 and 35 days, sheep red blood cell were injected and the blood samples were gathered at 42 days. The data analysis were revealed that levels of 500 and 700 mg of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron increased body weight and reduced feed conversion ratio. The feed intake increased at level 500 and decreased at 700 levels as compared to control. Saffron petal extract at levels higher than 500 decreased the serum concentration of cholesterol, LDL blood and abdominal fat relative weight, and increased serum HDL and relative weight of bursa of fabricus compared to controls. Saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract increased the titer of secondary antibody against SRBC and antibody titer against Newcastle disease at 24 and 42 days at the levels of 500 and 700 mg Saffron petals’ extract. Saffron petal extract compared to control increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase enzymes and reduced the activity of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme and the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde. Therefore, the addition of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron petal at the levels of 500 and 700 ppm to broiler diets may improve growth performance, decrease blood lipids, and improve immune response and antioxidant system status.
Hassan Ghahari
Abstract
The saffron (Crocus sativus L.- Iridaceae) or red gold is an invaluable and economic agricultural crop which can be an important product for exportation. Saffron fields comprise some agricultural pests which are active in different regions of Iran and damage to the crop. In this faunistic survey, the ...
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The saffron (Crocus sativus L.- Iridaceae) or red gold is an invaluable and economic agricultural crop which can be an important product for exportation. Saffron fields comprise some agricultural pests which are active in different regions of Iran and damage to the crop. In this faunistic survey, the fauna of beneficial Arthropoda (predators and parasitoids) was studied in some saffron fields of Iran (Southern Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Kerman, Fars and Lorestan provinces, Iran). In total, 31 predator insects within five orders, Coleoptera (Carabidae, Staphylinidae), Diptera (Asilidae, Syrphidae), Hymenoptera (Formicidae), Thysanoptera (Thripidae) and Heteroptera (Anthocoridae, Miridae, Nabidae, Reduviidae), and also five species of Araneae (spider) and five species of Acari were collected and identified as the predator arthropods. Additionally, 26 species of parasitoids in two orders, Diptera (Tachinidae) and Hymenoptera (Braconidae, Chalcididae, Eulophidae, Ichneumonidae, Pteromalidae) were collected. Among the collected natural enemies, three species Apechthis capulifera (Kriechbaumer, 1887), Virgichneumon albilineatus (Gravenhorst, 1820) and Netelia melanura (Thomson, 1888) (all Ichneumonidae) are new records for the fauna of Iran. Upon the present investigation, totally 67 species of predator and parasitoid arthropods were collected from saffron fields and neighbouring areas. High diversity of natural enemies is important in biological control of agricultural pests, and crop pollination.
najmeh jami; asghar rahimi; ebrahim sedaghati; mahdi naghizadeh
Abstract
In order to evaluate the micro and macro elements of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under the influence of various levels of inoculation with mycorrhiza and vermicompost in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in research field of Shahid Bahonar ...
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In order to evaluate the micro and macro elements of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) under the influence of various levels of inoculation with mycorrhiza and vermicompost in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in research field of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. The investigated factors included vermicompost at 4 levels of 0, 8, 16 and 24 t.ha-1 and four levels of mycorrhizal fertilizer 0, 7.5, 10 and 15 g inoculation wereputineachhole consisting two corms with equal and moderate weight. In this experiment, traits including: phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, number of corms in per plant, length of corms, diameter corm scales, corm diameter, fresh weight of corm, dry weight of corm and colonization percentage of roots. The results showed a significant effect of vermicompost on corm length, corm diameter, diameter corm final scales, fresh weight of corms, phosphorus, and nitrogen and colonization percentage of roots. The effect of mycorrhiza on the phosphorus, nitrogen, the number of corms in the plant, the length of the corm, colonization percentage of roots, diameter corm scales and corm diameter. Also, the interaction between vermicompost and mycorrhiza fertilizer was significant on the traits of corm diameter. Therefore, it seems that the application of mycorrhiza inoculation with vermicompost fertilizer could enhance some quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron.
Nasrin Izadi; Ali Sorooshzadeh; Ali Mokhtassi-bidgoli
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of nutrient elements, methionine amino acid and corm weight on the emergence of saffron, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design in two years (during 2014-2015) in Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. Treatments ...
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To evaluate the effect of nutrient elements, methionine amino acid and corm weight on the emergence of saffron, an experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design in two years (during 2014-2015) in Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. Treatments were consisted of mineral nutrients in form of liquid fertilizer at four concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 ml.L-1), Methionine amino acid at four concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40 g.L-1), distilled water, control treatment without water, corm weight at two weights small (3-5 g) and large (7-9 g). All corms were immersed 48 hr in nutrients or methionine (except control treatment) before planting. To study emergence percentage, a simulated exponential model or monomolecular model was used. The results of this study showed that emergence has increased in the second year compared to the first year that can be due to more compatibility by environmental conditions. In first-year of emergence, the process was parabolic shape, while the trend was linear in the second year. Emergence trend in large corms treatments was better and more productive than other treatments. In this study, the use of 10 g per liter of methionine on big corms could increase emergence percentage in Saffron.
asghar farajnia; kamran Moravej
Abstract
Recent continuous drought and decreasing ground water table led us to improving irrigation schedule and introducing less water-needed plants. Recent study conducted for determining suitable zone for saffron in East Azarbayjan with GIS and model AHP. Parameters like climate data, soil and water for 30 ...
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Recent continuous drought and decreasing ground water table led us to improving irrigation schedule and introducing less water-needed plants. Recent study conducted for determining suitable zone for saffron in East Azarbayjan with GIS and model AHP. Parameters like climate data, soil and water for 30 years collected from synoptic and climatologic station such as Tabriz, Ahar, Marand, Jolfa, Mianeh, Sarab, Bostanabad, Bonab, Maraghe, Malekan and Kaleybar around province and from four neighbor provinces like Orumieh, Piranshahr, Ardabil and Zanjan. Then parameters weighted upon AHP in parameter importance each region. Data transferred to Expert choice and clustered, rated, integrated for producing the last layer. The results showed that 42% of province land was suitable and moderate suitable for culturing saffron. But 14% showed critical suitability and 44% was not suitable for Saffron culture. Tabriz, Marand, Osku, Azarshahr, Ajabshir, Bonab, and Malekan plains are suitable places and Sarab, BostanAbad, Maragheh, Ahar, and Hashtrud plains are in critical suitability for Saffron culture. Climatic and geographical indices for saffron cultivation in the region were altitude, slope and temperature.
ali poorreza; hossin amirshkari
Abstract
saffron (Crocus sativus L.) plant if a perennial plant and it belongs to Iridaceae family, Which is considered to be the most economically profitable plant in Khorasan province of Razavi and South. This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of summer irrigation and organic and biological fertilizers ...
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saffron (Crocus sativus L.) plant if a perennial plant and it belongs to Iridaceae family, Which is considered to be the most economically profitable plant in Khorasan province of Razavi and South. This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of summer irrigation and organic and biological fertilizers on the growth and development of saffron in Zaweh city of Khorasan Razavi with four replications during of 2017-2018. This experiment was conducted as split plotbased on a randomized complete block design. The main factor was two irrigation levels (summer irrigation and summer irrigation) and for levels fof ertilizer treatment (organic fertilizer of cattle manure, biofertilizer fertilizer, Stratigraphic Fertilizer of Iran and Control) was considered as sub plots. The results showed that summer irrigation and fertilizer treatments had significant effects on quantitative and qualitative traits of saffron. The best results of the studied traits was observed for bioweuterin treatment with biological fertilizer, in this treatment the number of flowers.m-2 was 8.05 and the weights was calculated per m2 was 46.84 mg, which in the control group was 1.93 mg.m-2 flower per square meter and dry weevil weight was 30.19 mg.m-2. According to the findings, this treatment has the highest quality yield in Saffron. Therefore, the implementation of summer irrigation and use of biofertilizers (containing Bacillus bacteria) on the farms of Zaveh County had a significant increase in quantitative and qualitative yields.
Hassan Feizi; Roohollah Moradi
Abstract
The average stigma yield of traditional saffron cultivating systems is 3.2 kg.ha-1 in Iran. Based on ideal cultivating systems, the stigma yield equivalent 41 kg.ha-1 in Ferdows region, 38 kg.ha-1 in Bakhazr region, 30 and 25 kg.ha-1 in Torbat Heydarieh region is recorded. The aim of the study was investigation ...
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The average stigma yield of traditional saffron cultivating systems is 3.2 kg.ha-1 in Iran. Based on ideal cultivating systems, the stigma yield equivalent 41 kg.ha-1 in Ferdows region, 38 kg.ha-1 in Bakhazr region, 30 and 25 kg.ha-1 in Torbat Heydarieh region is recorded. The aim of the study was investigation of involved managing factors in gap yield of traditional and ideal saffron cultivating systems in Razavi and south Khorasan Provinces. Managing factors for ideal system were recorded with respect to comments provided in the questionnaires by experts viewpoints. Traditional managing factors were recorded from 239 saffron farms in various regions of Razavi and south Khorasan Provinces. In addition, soil samples were selected from all studied farms. The results showed that saffron yield average in Razavi and south Khorasan Provinces was varied between 1.23-6.67 kg.ha-1 during 2011-2017. A positive and significant correlation between precipitations with yield (b=0.002*) was observed. But, by increasing mean temperature in the studied areas, saffron yield decreased (b=-0.223**). The relationship between the amount of organic matter (b=2.42*), nitrogen (b=9.40*), phosphorus (b=0.093*) and soil sand content (b=0.007*) was positive with yield, but it decreased by increasing clay content (b=-0.015*). The results confirmed that there is an average stigma yield gap of more than 20 kg.ha-1 between traditional and ideal cultivation conditions. Using small corm instead of the corm weighing more than 8 g for planting, mass planting instead of row planting, low density planting of corm, low manure application, inappropriate first irrigation time in autumn, inappropriate corm sowing date, weed control at inappropriate time and no-foliar application in the second half of the winter were the most important involved parameters in gap yield of traditional and ideal systems.
faride ahmadi; Rahman Gazel
Abstract
The nutrient management is one of the most important factors in relation to quantitative and physiological characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to investigate the effects of different of cow manure and fulvic acidlevels on yield and physiological characteristics of saffron, an experiment ...
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The nutrient management is one of the most important factors in relation to quantitative and physiological characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to investigate the effects of different of cow manure and fulvic acidlevels on yield and physiological characteristics of saffron, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, University of Birjand during growing season of 2015. Treatments were four levels of cow manure(0, 10, 20 and 30 t.ha-1) and three levels of fulvic acid (0, 5 and 10 kg.ha-1). Results showed that cow manure aoolicationimproved the saffron flower characteristics (flower number and fresh total yield and stigma yield). The highest values of total fresh weight of flower (6.289 g.m-2) and stigma weight (0.299 g.m-2) were obtained in 10 t.ha-1 cow manure, while the lowest amounts were for control (5.18 and 0.235 g.m-2). Leaf photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and total) were influenced by cow manure. Results also showed that fulvic acid has a positive effect flower number and fresh total yield,stigma yield and average weight and SPAD. The highest of flower number (17.29 No.m-2) and SPAD reading (14.39) were observed in 10 kg.ha-1 fulvic acid. Different levels of cow manure and fulvic acid had a positive effect on total fresh yield of flower, stigma, total chlorophyll content and SPAD reading. The highest dry yield of stigma (0.085 g.m-2) was obtained in 10 t.ha-1 cow manure+5 kg.ha-1 fulvic acid. Thus, results showed that cow manure and fulvic acid application have significant impact on flower yield and photosynthetic pigments of saffron.
Leila Tabrizi; Elham Azizi
Abstract
Saffron is a valuable spice plant applied in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Despite low expectations for plant nutrients, food supply in plants’ Rhizosphere can be effective in the production of flowers and corms of saffron. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effects ...
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Saffron is a valuable spice plant applied in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Despite low expectations for plant nutrients, food supply in plants’ Rhizosphere can be effective in the production of flowers and corms of saffron. This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effects of biofertilizers inoculation and mother corm direction in soil on some corm, flower and stigma traits of saffron. An experiment was conducted as factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at research farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Tehran University during 2010 to 2013. Treatments included mother corm direction in two levels (horizontal and vertical) and biofertilizers (with mycorrhiza and biophosphorous inoculation, and control). In this experiment, traits such as flower number, fresh and dry weight of flower, stigma, petal and corms and corm diameter was measured. The results indicated that in both years of corm study, horizontal direction of saffron corm in soil was superior to vertical direction for corm diameter and number per square meter. Also, in first year, fresh weight of corms in horizontal direction of corms was 23.6% higher than vertical direction, but in second year, vertical direction caused more fresh weight of corm (6.3%) than the horizontal direction. In the first year, the most fresh and dry weight of corms was obtained in integrated treatment of mycorrhiza and horizontal direction of corms in soil. In second year, the most of these traits was observed in integrated treatment of biophosphorous and horizontal direction of corms in soil. Fresh and dry weight of flower and stigma increased in horizontal direction treatment compared to vertical direction of corms. Investigation of biofertilizer effect on fresh and dry weight of flower, petal and stigma showed that the highest and the lowest of these traits were in biophosphorous and mycorrhiza fertilizers, respectively. According to results, in both years of study of flower traits, the best treatment for dry weight of flower and petal and fresh weight of stigma was integrated treatment horizontal direction of corm under the application of biophosphorous fertilizer.
Fatemeh Rastegaripour; Alireza Karbasi; Mohammad Ghorbani
Abstract
For Identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and apportunities in saffron market by 7Ps marketing mix, in this study, using of factors analytical strategic. Requirement data was gathered via interviews and questionnaires from 11managers andexperts exporters Mashhad and torbat-e-heydarieh province over ...
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For Identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and apportunities in saffron market by 7Ps marketing mix, in this study, using of factors analytical strategic. Requirement data was gathered via interviews and questionnaires from 11managers andexperts exporters Mashhad and torbat-e-heydarieh province over the period 2014-2015. Results of external Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) show that, Physical evidence, Packaging, Position, Public, Product, People, Protection, Promotion and Procces marketing mix, strengths dominanced on weaknesses and Price and Place marketing mix, weaknesses dominanced. Results External Factor Evaluation(EFE) Matrix show that, Physical evidence, Packaging, Position, Public, Product, People, Protection, Promotion and Procces Price and Place marketing mix,opportunities dominance has on Threats. Results of SWOT representative Price and Place mix strategies defensive and Product, Promotion, Physical evidence, People, Procces, Packaging, Protection, Public, Position and Total mix strategies diversity. The results showed that the price / location mix in the internal factors matrix had a score of 2.34 and a score of 2.10, respectively, indicating strengths and weaknesses. In the external factors matrix, these two blends score 2.71 and 2.91, respectively, which indicate opportunities overcoming threats. Therefore, consideration should be given to planning defensive strategies (emphasizing internal weaknesses and external threats and ultimately resolving injuries). Other marketing mixes emphasize the strengths of the weaknesses and the opportunities overcoming the threats, which means that planning for diversity and competitive strategies (emphasis on internal strengths and external threats) is taken into consideration.So, qspm matrix total ranking show that, create necessary conditions for registration Iranian brans,production production quality and diversified products, create information banks by integration science and experience in saffron market and Create innovation proportionate whit taste consumers is 1-3 ranks, respectively. Thus, proffer researchs in bases brands and protectiom, procces, product and packaging marketing mix.
ghoreshi s.g; Abbas Khashei; ALi Bayki
Abstract
Abstrac Salinity is one of the major problems in agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions. The purpose of this study is evaluation the effect of different levels of salinity concentration and nitrogen application on the yield of saffron components using different forms at Research Farm of ...
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Abstrac Salinity is one of the major problems in agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions. The purpose of this study is evaluation the effect of different levels of salinity concentration and nitrogen application on the yield of saffron components using different forms at Research Farm of Agricultural College, Birjand University. For this purpose, Three years experiment (during 2006-2008) was performed as split plot layout using salinity irrigation water with conductivity of 1.5 (control), 3.5, 5.5 and 7.5 dS.m-1 as The main main-plot factor, and and different forms of nitrogen (solid, solid, soluble and soluble nitrogen) as sub-plot factor in four replications. The results of analysis of variance showed that salt stress condition had a significant effect on all parameters, even in year that use of different forms of nitrogen had a significant effect. In high salinity conditions, using nitrogen solid form showed the highest economic performance (0.18 g.m-2) during 2006, 0.48 g.m-2 during 2007 and 0.29 g.m-2 during 2008. Generally, the results of this study showed that in dry areas can be used saline water up to 5.5 dS.m-1 for saffron. It is possible to increase yield of saffron using nitrogen spraying at low salinity levels and using nitrogen solid form in high salinity levels.