Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Abstract Purpose: This study aims to explore the potential of in vitro culture as a method for scaling up the production of saffron based medicinal compounds, the most expensive spice renowned. Emphasis is placed on the critical role of friable callus (FC) formation as a prerequisite for successful suspension culture. Research method: The research primarily investigates FC formation, focusing on the impact of varying strengths of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium as well as combinations of NAA or 2,4-D and BA or Kin on compact callus. Subsequently, the study involves supplementing the MS medium with different concentrations of 2,4-D, kin, zeatin, glutamine, sucrose, and nitrogen to establish a cell suspension culture. Findings: The highest FC yield was achieved on a solid medium containing 2,4-D (1 mg l^-1)+Kin (0.2 mg l^-1), resulting in a fresh weight (FW) of 0.413 g. Furthermore, MS combined with 2,4-D (1 mg l^-1)+Kin (0.2 mg l^-1)+glutamine (10 mg l^-1), as well as MS+2,4-D (0.5 mg l^-1)+zeatin (0.3 mg l^-1)+glutamine (10 mg l^-1), demonstrated the highest FW under suspension conditions. The study also identified that 30 g l^-1 sucrose and 30 µM were optimal for inducing maximum FW. Research limitations: Cell biomass is influenced by several factors that should to be optimized. Originality/Value: This research concludes that a cell suspension system holds promise for rapidly generating sufficient cell biomass to produce valuable secondary metabolites within a limited timeframe and space. Notably, the system successfully increased biomass from 0.2 to 1.2 g, underscoring its potential for efficient saffron-based product development.

Abstract Purpose: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a strategic medicinal and spice plant in the world. This study aimed to determine saffron stigma quality obtained from different regions of Herat province in Afghanistan. Research method: The experiment was contacted at the food technology lab, faculty of agriculture, Herat University, in 2018. The experiment was set up on a completely randomize design (CRD) with twenty replications. Saffron stigma samples were collected from different parts of Herat province (Ghoryan, Phashton Zarghon, Gozarah districts, and producer companies), and then transferred to the laboratory for determining the saffron quality parameters such as crocins, picrocrocin and safranal using spectrophotometer. Findings: Results showed that the amounts of picrocrocin and safranal were significantly different between stigmas produced in different regions, but there was no significant difference in terms of crocin. The highest amounts of picrocrocin (104.50ϕ 257nm) and safranal (34.95 θ330nm) were recorded in the stigma samples collected from production companies, while the highest amount of crocin (236.95 ω 440nm) obtained from Pashton  Zarghon sample. Evaluation of mentioned qualitative attributes among saffron samples and their comparison with ISO 3632 standard showed that all samples were desirable in terms of crocin (>190 ω 440nm), picrocrocin (>70 ϕ257nm) and safranal (>20 θ 330nm), which were laid in (I) category. Research limitations: There was no limitations to report. Originality/Value: This research is one of the first reports on saffron quality produced in Herat.

Abstract Purpose: The efficiency of callus induction as source of bioactive compound is a critical step in the cell suspension culture for commercial production of important secondary metabolites. One of the main factors affecting callus efficiency is the developmental stage of explants. On the other hands, it has been declared that the optimization of medium composition has a significant influence on callogenesis and increment of biomass.  Research method: The aim of this study was the evaluation of different developmental stages of saffron corms as a source of explant preparation (immature and mature corms), plant growth regulators (PGRs) combinations (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA); 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 6-Benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (Kin)) and type of medium (Gamborg (B₅) medium and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium) in callus induction in saffron corms to increase cell biomass. The media were supplemented with different combinations of 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid or 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 8 mgL^-1) as auxins and 6-Benzyladenine or kinetin (1, 4, 8 mgL^-1) as cytokinin. Findings: The results showed that mature corms harvested in May had the best developmental stage for callogenesis. The maximum callus formation was recorded in B₅ medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (4 mgL^-1) and kinetin (1 mgL^-1) with 2.61 g fresh weight. Limitations: No limitations to report. Originality/Value: This protocol for sampling explant and callus formation was found to make suitable sources of plant material for further study in production of bioactive compounds via cell suspension cultures.

Abstract Purpose: This experiment aimed find the relationship between morphological, physiological traits, metabolites, with SSR markers. Research method: To investigate the relationship between quantitative traits and SSR (Simple sequence repeat) markers, an experiment was conducted under both field and laboratory conditions at Zanjan University. In this experiment, 20 SSR primers were used and agronomic and physiological traits with secondary metabolites were measured during the growing season. Findings: Amplified primers generated a total of 38 bands and the average number of bands in all locus was 2.38 bands. The highest number of alleles (5 alleles) and the polymorphic information content (0.9) were for the A2 primer. The stepwise regression analysis results showed that the studied primers (10 primers) had a significant relationship with most traits and the highest R² in the first year was harvest index (79%), dry weight of stigma (69%), fresh weight of flower (62%), and yield (62%). In the second year, harvest index (67%), number of leaves (65%), number of flowers (61%), and yield (64%) had the highest coefficient of determination. The C25 and C50 primers were associated with 5 and 4 quantitative traits in 2014 and 4 and 3 quantitative traits in 2015, respectively. The C25 and C50 primers identified 2 and 3 alleles in the study population respectively, and considering the number of identified loci, it can be considered as the important primers concerning quantitative traits. The A8, A10, A48 and A2 primers were associated with at least more than 4 traits during the two years of experiment. According to the observed relationship, these marker loci can be used to select ecotypes with marker-assisted in saffron populations. Limitations: No limitations to report. Originality/Value: C50, C25, A8, A2, and C36 primers are candidate markers in marker-assisted selection saffron breeding programs.

Abstract Purpose: Purpose of this paper is to highlight policy initiatives of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Govt of India and research support of SKUAST-Kashmir India, that has not only given stability to the saffron area, production and productivity but has also opened new options for promoting saffron cultivation in new areas that is expected to increase saffron production to 104000 kg. Findings: Standardized descriptors of Kashmir saffron has facilitated seeking of Geographical Indication Tag to Kashmir Saffron and is a step forward towards promotion of authenticated quality brand “Kashmir Saffron”. Good Agricultural Practices for enhancing productivity and quality through integrated value chain involving plantation of graded corms weighing above 8 g with integration of micro and macro nutrients, composts, farm yard manures, initial corm dressing with fungicides followed by hygienic post-harvest handling have been standardized ensuring yield and quality gains. Ethymethyl Sulphonate and Colchicine have been identified as potent mutagens for creation of genetic variability. In vitro micropropagation involving different growth regulators, growth retardants and sucrose as energy source have been standardized. Limitations: Decline in saffron area over the years due to urbanization of saffron heritage site and diversification to other commercial activities is a major concern for growth of saffron Industry. Directions for future research: Climate change over the years have become a serious threat for the saffron industry therefore future research needs to be focused on to mitigate the ill effects and to ensure the adaptabilities studies of all the developed modules under changed environment so as to ensure sustainability and profitable of saffron farming system. Research priorities needs to be focused on quality promotion and marketing under one roof processing, quality testing and e-trading.