Journal Journal

of Applied
Appl Journal of Applied Horticulture, 21(2): 123-130, 2019 Horticulture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2019.v21i02.21 ISSN: 0972-1045

Effects of gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid on

saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) under field conditions

Rouhollah Ameri1, Majid Azizi1* and Abdollah Mollafilabi2

1
Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. 2Research
Institute of Food Science and Technology, Mashhad, Iran. *E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of growth regulator treatments on quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron.
Growth regulator treatments included 50, 150 and 300 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) . Saffron corms
weighing 8 to 10 g were immersed in solutions of GA3 and NAA and then were planted in 1×1 meter plots with 15 cm within row and
20 cm between row spacing. At the end of the growing season (end of June), crop traits such as total number and weight of the produced
corms and the number and weight of produced corms in weighing groups of less than 4 g, 4 to 8 g, and more than 8 g were measured
by harvesting one third of the cultivated corms in each plot. At the flowering time of the remaining corms of each plot (November),
weight and number of flower, fresh and dry weight of stigma, and the amount of active ingredients including crocin, picrocrocin and
safranal were measured. The results showed that all studied traits were affected by growth regulator compounds and indicated significant
(P≤0.01 and P≤0.05) differences with control. GA3 improved biological yield and corm weight, in addition it could increase the quality
of stigma compared to the control treatment. Application of 150 ppm GA3 increased the weight of corms by 16.25 % and the number
of flower plot-1 by 34.99 % compared to the control treatment. Also, 300 ppm GA3 increased the dry stigma yield by 37.5 % compared
to the control treatment. NAA did not affect yield production significantly and at high concentrations, prevented the growth of corms
and flower production. Results indicated that concentrations higher than 150 ppm GA3 can increase the yield of saffron, and can play
an important role in enhancement of saffron farms productivity.
Key words: Gibberellic acid, growth regulators, naphthalene acetic acid, saffron, crocin, picrocrocin and safranal

Introduction regulator compounds have direct effect on these traits. In saffron

plants, usually larger and more developed corms produce higher-
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family weighted flowers, thus preventing the growth of lateral buds and
(Mardani et al., 2015). There are nine species of this genus reducing the number of daughter corms which plays a significant
in Iran, but only C. sativus is cultivated in Iran due to high role in flowering (DeMastro and Ruta, 1993). Studies have shown
economic value. C. sativus is an autotriploid plant and therefore, that the use of the combination of GA3 and Kinetin stimulated
it is considered to be sterile in terms of reproductive and seed the growth and production of daughter corms and increased dry
production (Behnia, 1996). The plant originated from West Asia weight of stigma more than 150 % (Azizbekova, 1978). One-
and the Mediterranean region is distributed in the region of Iran day immersion of saffron corms in 2,4-D solution also increased
and Turan. Cold autumns and winters, and hot summers with a
plant height, leaf to corm ratio and daughter to mother corm ratio
low rainfall frequency are the significant characteristics of these
(Kabdal and Joshi, 1978).
regions (Negbi, 2003). Saffron is one of the most economical
and valuable agricultural products in Iran and the most expensive Considering the fact that increasing the number of saffron
spice in the world (Amini et al., 2014). In addition to its use daughter corms reduces the corms weight, this study was planned
in the food industry as a natural dye, it also has many uses in to investigate the effect of applying growth regulating agents in
medicine. Medically, it is considered as antispasmodic and anti- increasing the apical dominance and decreasing the number of
inflammatory, relaxing, decongestant, expectorant, strengthen the daughter corms, to achieve higher corm weight and flower yield.
stomach strengthening, sexual stimulation, anti-depressant (Rios
et al., 1996; Karimi et al., 2001). Materials and methods
The various environmental factors (light, moisture, and Experimental design and material: The field experiment
temperature) can affect growth and development of the plant. was carried out as a completely randomized design with three
Growth regulator compounds, especially plant hormones, also replications at the Research Station of Agriculture Faculty,
affect the plant growth process (Immink, 2015). So far some Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Saffron corms were
studies have been done on the use of growth regulators to prepared from Torbat Heydarieh in September 2016. After
increase the flowering and yield of saffron. Size of mother corms cleaning and weight grading, corms with an average weight of
of saffron directly affects the amount of flowering, and growth 8 to 10 g with no contamination and mechanical damage were
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124 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron

selected and then disinfected with 2 % benomyl solution for 20 the number of daughter corms in the GA3 treatment, the total
minutes. Saffron corms were soaked for 24 hours in solutions of weight of daughter corms in this treatment (242.3 g plot-1 in 150
50, 150 and 300 ppm GA3 and NAA (produced by Merck) using ppm GA3) increased compared to the control (202.92 g plot-1).
soaking method. After land preparation and plotting, saffron In previous studies, it was shown that the use of some hormonal
corms were planted at a depth of 15 cm in a 1×1 meter plots with compounds, such as GA3, reduces the growth of lateral buds in
15 cm in row and 20 cm between row spacing (30 corms plot-1). the mother corms and the production of daughter corms in bulbous
The irrigation of the farm was flooding during the growing season. plants. This causes large mother corms and more flower yield
(Azizbekova et al., 1978; Azizbekova et al., 1982; Azizbekova
Measurements: Each plot was partitioned into two sections,
and Milyaeva, 1999).
one for study of corms traits and the second section used for
study of flower traits. Number and weight of produced corms Average and maximum weight of produced corms: The
in each plot, total number and weight of produced corms in application of growth regulator compounds on both average
weighing groups of less than 4 g, 4 to 8 g, more than 8 g and the weight of produced corms (total weight of produced corms
propagation coefficient (relative weight percentage of produced per plot divided by number of produced corms per plot) and
corms compared to the initial weight of cultivated corms) (Kumar maximum weight of produced corms were significant at P≤0.01
et al., 2013) were measured at the end of growing season, by level. The highest and lowest average weight of daughter corms
harvesting one third of the cultivated corms. At the flowering time
of plants growing in the remaining part of each plot (November),
the flowers were harvested on a daily basis and the number and
weight of flowers plot-1 were recorded. Stigma were separated
from flowers by hand and kept for 48 h at room temperature of
25 °C. The amount of crocin, safranal and picrocrocin of stigma
was measured based on absorbance of 1% (E1%) aqueous solution
of dried saffron stigma at wavelengths of 440, 330 and 257 nm,
respectively (ISO, 2003), by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (i3,
Hanon).
Statistical analysis: Data analysis was performed using JMP8 a
software and the mean differences were compared by Duncan’s
multiple range test at P≤0.01 and P≤0.05.

Results and discussion

Corms traits
Number and weight of produced corms: The effect of growth
regulators on total number and weight of produced corms was
significant (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively) (Table 1). The
highest number of corms (55.67 and 54.33 plot-1) were produced
in 50 ppm GA3 and 50 ppm NAA, respectively and the lowest
number of corms (22 number plot-1) was observed in 300 ppm
GA3 treatment. The highest and the lowest total weight of
produced corms (242.3 and 97.19 g plot-1) were obtained in
b
150 ppm GA3 and 150 ppm NAA, respectively. The number of
daughter corms produced per mother corm is directly related to
the weight of each daughter corm produced. It can be noted that
the weight of each produced corm decreases with the increase of
the number of lateral buds and daughter corms (Douglas, 2003)
thus it is very important in the final yield (Fig. 2). Corms size and
weight are one of the key indicators in determining the flowering
or non-flowering daughter corms. Thus, the daughter corms do
not start flowering process until they reach the base weight (about
8 g) (Mollafilabi, 2004; Turhan et al., 2007; Renau-Morata et
al., 2012).
c
This experiment showed that with application of GA3 on saffron
corms and increasing hormone concentration, the number of
lateral buds and the production of daughter corms decreased from
34.26 in the control to 32.67 in 150 ppm GA3 and decreased to
22 in the 300 ppm GA3. This can be a very important point in the Fig. 1. Stages of land preparation and planting; a) land preparation, b)
process of producing saffron. However, in addition to reducing plotting, c) saffron corms planting.

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 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron 125

Table 1. Effect of growth regulator treatments on saffron corms traits

Treatment Corm Total corm Average Maximum Number of Weight of Average Number Weight of Number of Weight of
number weight weight weight corms > corms > weight of of corms corms 4-8 g corms corms
(plot-1) (g plot-1) (g corm-1) (g) 8g 8g corms > 8 g 4-8 g (g plot-1) <4g <4g
(plot )
-1
(g plot ) (g corm ) (plot )
-1 -1 -1
(per plot) (g plot-1)
Control 34.26 ab 202.92 a 8.01 ab 26.57 ab 9.66 a 147.44 bc 15.59 abc 6.00 ab 27.55 bc 18.66 abc 28.07 ab

50 ppm GA3 55.67 a 226.26 a 5.20 bc 21.39 bc 8.33 a 128.44 c 15.49 abc 9.66 a 54.98 a 29.00 ab 42.92 a

150 ppm GA3 31.67 ab 242.30 a 8.38 ab 28.09 ab 10.67 a 202.21 a 18.93 a 2.66 b 14.62 c 14.67 bc 25.48 ab

300 ppm GA3 22.00 b 230.07 a 10.24 a 28.97 a 10.33 a 189.30 ab 18.46 ab 4.33 b 28.77 abc 7.33 c 11.99 b

50 ppm NAA 54.33 a 201.16 a 3.76 c 22.78 abc 7.33 ab 107.17 c 15.07 bc 10.00 a 51.64 ab 37.00 a 42.37 a

150 ppm NAA 32.67 ab 97.19 b 2.96 c 16.71 c 4.33 b 56.16 d 14.51 c 2.66 b 14.48 c 25.66 abc 26.54 ab

300 ppm NAA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Significance * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** * *

Standard error 10.13 18.11 1.26 2.19 1.27 15.41 1.16 1.42 8.53 6.27 7.67
Values followed by the same letters in each column are not significantly different. (P<0.05). **=P≤0.01; *= P≤0.05 probability level; and ns= non-
significant at 0.05 probability level
were obtained in 300 ppm GA3 (10.24 g corm-1) and 150 ppm corm weight for starting the flowering process of saffron is
NAA treatment (2.96 g corm-1), respectively. 300 ppm GA3 and between 6.5 and 7.5 grams. There is a possibility to produce 1 to
150 ppm NAA treatments had the highest (28.97 g) and lowest 2 flowers in this weighting group (Mashayekhi and Latifi, 1997).
(16.71 g) maximum weight of produced corms (Table 1). Since The flower yield increases by increasing the weight of mother
average weight of produced corms is related to the number and corms. In this regard, in order to produce more flowers in early
weight of produced corms, 300 ppm GA3 could reduce the years, corms with a weight more than 8 g are recommended for
number of daughter corms and increase the weight of daughter planting (HassanBeygi et al., 2006). Although there is a limited
corms compared to the control as well as other treatments. In the research on the relationship between the amount of produced
case of maximum single corm weight, due to the limitations on the flowers and the weight of mother corms, it has been made clear
production of daughter corms in GA3 treatment, it was expected that saffron corms in weighing groups of 20-30, 30-45 and more
that new produced corms will have more weight. Reports show than 45 g can produce 6-8, 8-12 and more than 12 flowers per
that there is a significant and direct correlation between the weight corm (DeMastro and Ruta, 1993; Mashayekhi and Latifi, 1997;
of mother corms and the number of produced flowers (Molina et Douglas, 2003). Considering the importance of this issue in
al., 2005; DeJuan et al., 2009). For this reason, some researchers the production process of saffron, Douglas (2003) designed a
strongly recommend selection of appropriate weight of corms at study based on cultivated corms in different weights and results
the sowing time and use appropriate agronomic techniques to indicated higher stigma yield (28.4 to 36.3 kg ha-1) in fields with
increase the corm weight in the field (DeMastro and Ruta, 1993; larger corms, which varies greatly with the average stigma yield
Omidbaigi, 2005). Typically, it is estimated that each saffron of conventional cultivation. If this estimate is made in terms
corm can produce 1 to 12 flowers, depending on its initial size of the diameter of corms and the space occupied by corms, the
and weight. Based on current study, it is clear that the minimum importance of this issue will illustrate better. Since, corms with

a b c
Fig. 2. Produced corms in different treatments of growth regulator compounds; a) 300 ppm GA3, b) 50 ppm NAA, C) control.

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126 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron

a diameter less than 2 cm (about 8 g) are not able to produce in 150 ppm GA3 (10.67 plot-1) and the lowest was obtained in
flowers (DeMastro and Ruta, 1993), with increasing diameter 150 ppm NAA (4.33 plot-1). The highest and the lowest weight
(even one cm), the flowering rate increases several times. So that of corms more than 8 g were observed in 150 ppm GA3 (202.21
when the corm diameter reaches 3 cm, it can produce 6 flowers g plot-1) and 150 ppm NAA (56.16 g plot-1), respectively. The
(Aga, 2008) and when its diameter reaches more than 4-5 cm, treatments of 150 ppm GA3 and 150 ppm NAA had the highest
this amount increases to more than 10 flowers per corm (Douglas, (18.93 g plot-1) and lowest (14.51 g plot-1) average weight of
2003). In other words, by increasing the diameter of corms from corms more than 8 as well. Weight measurement and counting
2 to 4 cm, the flowering of corms can be increased by 8 to 10 of corms between 4-8 g showed that the highest and the lowest
times. This proves the importance of increasing weight of saffron number were observed in 50 ppm NAA (10 plot -1) and 150
corms and preventing the increase in the number of daughter ppm GA3 (2.66 plot-1). The highest weight of corms (4-8 g)was
corms. In addition to physical occupation of plant growth space obtained in 50 ppm GA3 (54.98 g plot-1) and the lowest was
and absorption of resources and competition with larger corms, observed in 150 ppm NAA treatment (14.48 g plot-1) and 150
small daughter corms reduce farm yield and prevents the weight ppm of GA3 (14.62 g plots-1). 50 ppm NAA and 300 ppm GA3
increase of other corms. On the other hand, due to the increasing had the highest (37 and 42.37 g plot-1, respectively) and lowest
number of corms, high competition of corms in the soil and the (7.33 and 11.99 g plot-1, respectively) number and weight of corms
production of small corms will drastically reduce saffron yield less than 4 g (Fig. 2).
in the fifth to seventh years after planting. As a result, farmers
are forced to bring the corms out of the ground and re-plant. The distribution of produced corms in different treatments
Increasing the weight of saffron corms and preventing excessive is shown in Fig. 3. The corms more than 8 g had the highest
increase in the number of corms may be possible way to increase proportion in 150 and 300 ppm GA3. High weighted corms have
the length of saffron farms stability and the sustainability of yield significant effects on the production of large corms and also the
over the years. production of flowers and more yield in the future years.
Number and weight of corms in different weight groups: The The proportion of propagation coefficient was also investigated
effect of growth regulator compounds was significant on number in this study (Fig. 4). The results showed that 150, 300 and 50
and weight of corms in different weight groups (Table 1). The ppm GA3 were able to produce heavier corms (224.4, 213.1
highest number of corms weighing more than 8 g was observed and 209.5 % increase in production, respectively) compared to

a b c

11%
6%
19% 19%

40%

24%
57% 83%
41%

Corm weight > 8 g Corm weight 4-8 g Corm weight <4 g

d e f

5%
13% 14%
21%

30% 56%
26% 53%
82%

Fig. 3. The distribution of saffron corms in different treatments of the regulator compounds; a) control, b) 50 ppm GA3, c) 150 ppm
GA3, d) 300 ppm GA3, e) 50 ppm NAA, f) 150 ppm NAA

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 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron 127

250
a
a
a
200 a a
initial weight
Propagation coefficient (%)

Weight increase (%)

150

100 b

50

0
Control GA 50 GA 150 GA 300 NAA 50 NAA 150 NAA 300
Fig. 4. The ratio (in percentage) of the weight of produced corms and planted corms.

control (187.9 %). The treatment of GA3 at medium and high flowers were observed in the treatments of 150 ppm GA3 (56.67
concentrations had the greatest effect on increasing average plot-1) and 150 ppm NAA (3.33 plot-1), respectively. 150 and 300
weight of corms and the production of high weighted corms. It ppm GA3 increased the number of flowers by 42.92 and 30.95
seems that at lower concentration of GA3 prevented production %, respectively, compared to the control treatment (42 plot-1).
of smaller corms due to limited growth of lateral buds. In this The application of NAA did not have a positive effect on the
study, the treatment of NAA did not have the positive effect on flowering process of saffron and at high concentrations, flowering
corm production, and at high concentrations completely stopped was completely stopped, in addition to limited vegetative growth
the growth of corms. After the cultivation of saffron corm, an Chrungoo and Farooq (1989) found that the application of NAA
average of six new corms are usually produced in the first year, reduces vegetative growth and flowering, and also inhibits growth
and a total of 22 and 65 new corms are produced in the second at high concentrations. Reports show that the use of GA3 in tulip
and third years, respectively (Douglas, 2003). If these corms increases the rate of flowering (Rudnicki et al., 1976). Azizbekova
have a high weighted average, flower yield is very favorable, (1978) showed GA3, by stimulating growth and flowering of
but usually a part of the corms cannot reach the desired weight saffron, can increases the number of flower and ultimately yield.
due to competition for the absorption of nutrients and practically This has a direct relationship with carbohydrate metabolism
do not have acceptable yield in the farm. Therefore, maintaining and starch content of corms. GA3 accelerates the development
the weight status of corms in the field can be a solution for yield of physiological processes and flower production by increasing
stability in saffron production farms. starch metabolism and producing simple sugars. Since saffron is
Flower traits a hysteranthous plants, the production and completion of flower
Number of flowers: The analysis of variance of the effect of buds is highly dependent on the metabolism of stored compounds,
growth regulator compounds on the number of flowers was and GA3 plays an important role in this process (Chrungoo and
significant at P≤0.01 (Table 2). The highest and lowest number of Farooq, 1989).
Table 2. Effect of growth regulator treatments on saffron flower traits
Treatment Flower Fresh weight Dry weight of Fresh weight Dry weight of Fresh weight Fresh weight Dry weight Fresh weight
number of flower flower of stigma stigma flower to of stigma of stigma of flower to
(plot-1) (g plot-1) (g plot-1) (g plot-1) (g plot-1) number ratio to flower to flower dry weight of
number ratio number ratio stigma ratio
Control 42.00 b 17.25 b 2.32 b 1.59 b 0.280 b 0.410 a 0.037 a 0.010 a 61.402 a
50 ppm GA3 42.67 b 17.54 b 2.23 b 1.42 b 0.280 b 0.413 a 0.033 a 0.010 a 63.315 a
150 ppm GA3 56.67 a 24.24 a 3.11 a 2.09 a 0.356 a 0.427 a 0.037 a 0.010 a 68.297 a
300 ppm GA3 55.00 a 22.59 a 3.10 a 2.05 a 0.386 a 0.407 a 0.037 a 0.010 a 58.392 a
50 ppm NAA 28.00 c 10.94 c 1.47 c 0.98 c 0.170 c 0.397 a 0.036 a 0.010 a 64.233 a
150 ppm NAA 3.33 d 1.53 d 0.46 d 0.13 d 0.023 d 0.416 a 0.039 a 0.007 a 66.191 a
300 ppm NAA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Significant level ** * * * * ns ns ns ns
Standard error 2.156 1.362 0.183 0.124 0.018 0.033 0.002 0.001 3.904
Values followed by the same letters in each column are not significantly different. (P<0.05). **=P≤0.01; *= P≤0.05 probability level; and ns= non-
significant at 0.05 probability level
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128 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron

Fig. 5. The ratio of the number of harvested flowers to the weight of Fig. 6. The ratio of harvested flowers to the total weight of produced
corms more than 8 g per plot. corms.
Fresh and dry weight of flower: The analysis of variance showed in the weight of flower and stigma and thus increase the yield of
that there was significant difference (P≤0.05), among different saffron is expected.
treatments of growth regulator compounds based on fresh and
Other traits
dry weight of harvested flowers (Table 2). The highest and
There was no significant difference between the control and
lowest fresh and dry weight of harvested flowers were observed
treatments of growth regulator compounds in terms of the ratio
in 150 ppm GA3 (24.24 and 3.11 g plot-1) and NAA (1.53 and
of fresh weight to number of flower, the ratio of fresh weight of
0.46 g plot-1), respectively. In 300 ppm NAA, no reproductive
stigma to the flower number, the ratio of dry weight of stigma
performance was evaluated due to lack of corm production. The
to flower number and the ratio of fresh weight of flower to dry
flowering process of saffron corms has a direct relation to the
weight of stigma (Table 2). However, there was no significant
weight of corms and their nutritional content, and any factor
difference between control and treatments of 150 and 300 ppm
that can affect the corm weight influences the yield and weight
GA3 in terms of flower yield, but 150 and 300 ppm GA3 had the
of the produced flowers (DeMastro and Ruta, 1993; Omidbaigi,
highest value in most of the traits. This can be closely related to
2005). Due to the positive effects of GA3 on the produced corm,
the number of produced corms in this treatment.
it has effect on the fresh and dry weight of the produced flower.
In order to investigate the relationship between number of
Fresh and dry weight of stigma: In this study, it was found that
produced corms and produced flowers, a comparison was
growth regulator compounds significantly (P≤0.05) affected the
conducted between the yield of dry stigma and produced corm.
fresh and dry weight of stigma (Table 2). The highest and lowest
The results revealed that GA3 treatments had the highest yield
fresh weight of stigma were observed in 150 ppm GA3 (2.09 g
at the concentration of 150 and 300 ppm, and they were able
plot-1) and NAA (0.13 g plot-1), respectively. Also, the highest
to convert more of the weight of corm to produce flower (Fig.
and lowest dry weight of stigma were obtained in 300 ppm GA3
5 and 6). This issue has great importance in saffron farms,
(0.386 g plot-1) and 150 ppm NAA (0.023 g plot-1). As shown
because a large part of the corms which are produced annually
in (Table 2), 300 and 150 ppm GA3 had the highest amount
in saffron fields does not have the ability to produce flower due
of produced dry stigma with an increase of 37.5 and 27.14 %,
to lack of proper weight. So, the observed difference in each of
respectively, as compared to the control (0.28 g plot-1). Due to the
the expressed indices was due to the production of this group of
effect of GA3 on the fresh and dry weight of the flower, increase
corms, which affects the next year yield. Munshi et al. (2003)
in the yield of stigma was not unexpected. The fresh and dry
suggested that large-sized corms (diameter greater than 4 cm)
weight of stigma is one of the most important determinants in the
can produce more flowers than small-sized corms. Mariz (1996)
final yield of saffron. Any factor that can accelerate the transfer of
also showed that large-sized corms (diameter greater than 4 cm)
nutrients and storage materials has a significant effect on the final
have high yield (dry weight of the stigma) than small-sized corms.
yield. One of the factors that affect the yield of dry saffron stigma
The results of this study were consistent with the results of Mariz
is the amount of stored material in saffron corms (DeMastro and
(1996), Munshi et al.(2003) and Mashayekhi et al. (2006).
Ruta, 1993; Mashayekhi and Latifi, 1997). Since, GA3 could have
a significant effect on the weight of produced corms an increase Phytochemical indices: The quality grading of saffron samples
Table 3. Effect of different levels of growth regulators on phytochemical indices and quality grading of saffron stigma
Treatment Absorption at 440 INSO 259 Reference Absorption at 330 INSO 259 Reference Absorption at 257 INSO 259 Reference
nm (E1% 440) (Crocin) nm (E1% 330) (Safranal) nm (E1% 257) (Picrocrocin)
Control 200.1 II 40.9 I 87.6 I
50 ppm GA3 206.7 II 44.5 I 93.9 I
150 ppm GA3 208.5 II 48.3 I 98.4 I
300 ppm GA3 220.7 I 42.3 I 97.2 I
50 ppm NAA 198.1 III 39.3 I 84 II
150 ppm NAA 194 III 37.6 I 78 III
300 ppm NAA - - - - - -

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 Gibberellic acid can imporve qualitative and quantitative yield of saffron 129

was performed based on the Iranian National Standard No. INSO Azizbekova, N.S., E.L. Milyaeva and M.K. Chailakhyan, 1982. The
259-1:1391. The concentration of each of the metabolite was effect of gibberellin on functional activity of dormant saffron buds.
Sov. Plant Physiol., 29(6): 895-900.
determined according to the absorbance in each prepared solution
in equal concentrations. The readings at wavelengths of 440, Azizbekova, N.S.H. and E.L. Milyaeva, 1999. Saffron cultivation
in Azerbaijan. Saffron: (Crocus sativus L.). Harwood Academic
330 and 257 nm, respectively, were related to the compounds Publishers, Australia, 63-71.
of crocin, safranal and picrocrocin, respectively, which are Azizbekova, N.S.H., E.L. Milyaeva, N.Y. Lobova and N.K.H.
responsible for the color, flavor and taste of saffron stigma (Amini Chailakhyan, 1978. Effects of gibberellin and kinetin on formation
et al., 2014). of flower organs in saffron crocus. Sov. Plant Physiol., 25: 471-476.
Behnia, M.R., 1996. Saffron: Botany, Cultivation and Production.
The results showed that GA3 had the greatest effect on the University of Tehran Press, Iran, P. 285.
amount of produced metabolites as compared to the control. 300
Chrungoo, N.K. and S. Farooq, 1989. Influence of GA3 and NAA on
ppm GA3 produced the highest amount of crocin (220.7 E1% certain carbohydrate fractions in corms of saffron crocus (Crocus
440 nm) and 150 ppm GA3 had the highest amount of safranal sativus L.) during development. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol., 58(2): 237-246.
(48.3 E1% 330 nm) and picrocrocin (98.4 E1% 257 nm) (Table 3). DeJuan, J.A., H.L. Córcoles, R.M. Muñoz and M.R. Picornell, 2009.
In contrast, the use of NAA was not able to produce favorable Yield and yield components of saffron under different cropping
results. By increasing the concentration of this compound, the systems. Ind. Crops Prod., 30(2): 212-219.
amount of active ingredients in saffron stigmas decreased. The DeMastro, G. and C. Ruta, 1993. Relation between corm size and saffron
(Crocus sativus L.) flowering. International Symposium on Medicinal
lowest amount of crocin (194 E1% 440 nm), safranal (37.6 E1%
and Aromatic Plants, 344: 512-517.
330 nm) and picrocrocin (78 E1% 257 nm) were obtained in 150
Douglas, M. 2003. Growing saffron-The world’s most expensive spice.
ppm NAA. Crop Food Res., 20: 1-4.
In the qualitative evaluation of the stigma in each treatment, only HassanBeygi, R., M.H. Kianmehr, A. Arab-Hosseini, 2006. Correlation
300 ppm GA3 could be placed in the first grade of quality based study of dimensions and mass of saffron corm. Proceedings of 2nd
International Symposium on Saffron. In: ISHS Book of Abstracts: 53.
on all the indices (including crocin, safranal and picrocrocin) and
Immink, G.H. 2015. Plant Physiology and Flower Corms 2.0.
it was also the only treatment with a qualitative grade I in terms Wageningen University, Wageningen UR.
of the composition of crocin (Table 3). Other concentrations of Isfahani, S.M.M., F. Mortezaienejad and M.R.N. Darbaghshahi, 2013.
GA3 (150 and 50 ppm) and control were placed in qualitative Impact of Gibberellic acidon concentration of crocin, picrocrocin and
grade II, treatments of 50 and 150 ppm NAA had qualitative grade safranal in (Crocus sativus L.). Int. J. Agric. Crop Sci., 6(14): 1000.
III, in terms of the composition of crocin. In case of safranal, ISO, 2003. Saffron (Crocus sativus Linnaeus) Part 1: Specifications, and
Part 2: Test Methods. International Standards Organization, Geneva,
all treatments were in qualitative grade I. Also, in terms of Switzerland, ISO 3632- 1/2.
picrocrocin combination, control and all levels of GA3 treatment
Kabdal, P.B. and P. Joshi, 1978. Effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic
were placed in grade I, and 50 and 150 ppm NAA treatments were acid (2,4-D) on development and corm formation in (Crocus sativus
in qualitative grade II and III, respectively. GA3 treatment had L.). Indian J. Pharm. Sci., 40: 165-166.
the highest grade of quality, and the treatment of NAA failed to Karimi, G., H. Hosseinzadeh and P. Khaleghpanah, 2001. Study of
achieve the desired quality grade of saffron stigma. The results antidepressant effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of (Crocus
sativus) in mice. Iran J. Basic Med. Sci., 4: 11-15.
obtained in this section and the trend of increasing the quality
Kumar, R., N. Ahmed, D.B. Singh, O.C. Sharma, S. Lal and M.M.
of active ingredients by increasing concentrations of GA3 are Salmani, 2013. Enhancing blooming period and propagation
consistent with the results presented by (Isfahani et al., 2003). In coefficient of tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) using growth regulators.
general, limited research has been carried out on the relationship Afr. J. Biotechnol., 12(2): 168-174.
between growth regulating components and the quality of active Mardani, H., T. Sekine, M. Azizi, M. Mishyna and Y. Fujii, 2015.
Identification of safranal as the main allelochemical from saffron
ingredients of saffron. So, the identification of trends and the
(Crocus sativus). Natural Product Communications, 10(5): 775-777.
causes of such changes require more research.
Mariz, V. 1996. Resultati di prove culla cultivazione dello zafferano
Based on the results of the present study it seems that concentrations (Crocus sativus L.) Atti convegno internazionale: Coltivazione-e-
miglioramento di piante officinali, trento, Italy, 2-3 giugno 1994.
higher than 150 ppm GA3 is effective in increasing saffron yield. 189-200.
The mechanism involved in improved qualitative yield of saffron Mashayekhi, K. and N. Latifi, 1997. Effect of corm mass on saffron
using GA3 and the effect of other plant growth regulators on the flowering. Iran. J. Agric. Sci., 28(1): 135-144.
quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron are suggested line of Mashayekhi, K., A. Soltani and B. Kamkar, 2006. The relationship
work for future research. between corm weight and total flower and leaf number in saffron.
II International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology,
739: 93-96.
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