DataSheet_1_Biostimulant enhances growth and corm production of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in non-traditional areas of North western Himalayas.docx

The usage of seaweed extracts in cropping systems is gaining attention nowadays due to their distinct bioactive properties. This study aims to assess how saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm production was affected by seaweed extract through different application modes. The study was conducted at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, HP, India, during the autumn-winter agricultural cycle. Five treatments using a combination of Kappaphycus and Sargassum seaweed extracts were replicated five times in a randomized block design. Treatments that were examined include T1: Control, T2: Corm dipping @ 5% seaweed extract, T3: Foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract, T4: Drenching @ 5% seaweed extract, and T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract. Seaweed extract, when applied to saffron plants (T5: Corm dipping + foliar spray @ 5% seaweed extract) resulted in significantly higher growth parameters along with the higher dry weight of stem, leaves, corms, and total roots per corm. Corm production, viz., the number of daughter corms and corm weight per m2 was significantly affected by seaweed extract application, with the maximum value recorded with treatment T5. Biochemical parameters chlorophyll, carotenoids, and photosynthetic rate were higher in T5, while nutrient concentration was lowest in this treatment. Seaweed extracts improved corm production, making it a feasible alternative to limiting the application of conventional fertilizers, attenuating the effects on the environment, and enhancing corm number and weight.

当前，鉴于海藻提取物所具有的独特生物活性特性，其在农作物系统中的应用正日益受到关注。本研究旨在评估海藻提取物对番红花（Crocus sativus L.）鳞茎产量在不同施用方式下的影响。研究于印度喜马偕尔邦帕兰普尔的CSIR-喜马拉雅生物资源技术研究所进行，时间为秋冬季农业周期。实验采用随机区组设计，将卡帕叶藻和海藻的组合提取物应用于五种处理，每种处理重复五次。所考察的处理包括：T1：对照组，T2：鳞茎浸蘸5%海藻提取物，T3：叶面喷施5%海藻提取物，T4：灌根5%海藻提取物，以及T5：鳞茎浸蘸+叶面喷施5%海藻提取物。海藻提取物施用于番红花植株（T5：鳞茎浸蘸+叶面喷施5%海藻提取物）后，显著提高了生长参数，并增加了茎、叶、鳞茎以及每鳞茎总根重的干重。海藻提取物的施用对鳞茎产量产生了显著影响，即女儿鳞茎数量和每平方米鳞茎重量，其中以处理T5的数值最高。在T5处理中，生化参数如叶绿素、类胡萝卜素和光合速率均较高，而养分浓度则最低。海藻提取物提升了鳞茎产量，成为限制传统肥料施用、减轻环境影响以及增加鳞茎数量和重量的可行替代方案。