The effect of different biochemical fertilizer sources on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Saffron
Subject Areas : Crop Production ResearchLeyla Sepahvand 1 , Saeid Heidari 2 , Hamidreza Eisvand 3 , Omid Akbarpour 4 , Khosro Azizi 5
1 - M.SC. Graduate in Ecology, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
2 - Lorestan University
3 - .Professor, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
4 - .Professor, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
5 - Professor, Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
Keywords: Humic acid, Nitroxine, Picrocrocin, Safranal ,
Abstract :
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), belonging to the Iridaceae family, possesses medicinal properties. Its dried stigma is widely utilized in food preparation, perfumes, and cosmetic and hygiene products due to its coloring value, bitterness, and aromatic strength. The application of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers enhances the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer utilization and reduces its losses. This is achieved through the presence of beneficial microorganisms in these fertilizers, which facilitate nitrogen fixation and the release of phosphate, potassium, iron, and other micronutrients. Ultimately, these microorganisms enhance nutrient uptake by plants by colonizing the root zone. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different biofertilizer sources on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron in Khorramabad County. The research was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, in 2022. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments (control, Nitroxine at 5 liters per hectare, Stockosorb superabsorbent polymer at 240 kg per hectare, and humic acid at 1 kg per hectare), with ten replications. ANOVA results indicated that the experimental treatments significantly influenced all traits except crocin. Overall, mean comparisons among treatments showed that Nitroxine application led to an increase of 61.8%, 54.2%, 50.5%, 53.1%, and 54.4% in the number of flowers, fresh flower weight, dry flower weight, dry stigma weight, and leaf area, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Additionally, among the evaluated treatments, humic acid exhibited the most significant effect on the bioactive compounds picrocrocin and safranal, resulting in increases of 18.6% and 19.3%, respectively, compared to the control. In conclusion, the application of the Nitroxine biofertilizer had the most significant impact on enhancing the number of flowers, fresh and dry flower weight, dry stigma weight, and leaf area. Meanwhile, humic acid exhibited the highest efficiency in improving the levels of picrocrocin and safranal. Ultimately, biofertilizers are considered essential tools for improving plant nutrition and soil properties. They contribute to long-term sustainability and positive economic returns in crop production, particularly in perennial plants such as saffron. Furthermore, biofertilizers are natural and safe products that can play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture.
