Development and Gene Expression in Saffron Corms

Abstract

The corm occupies a central position in saffron life cycle, as it is the vegetative organ that accumulates reserves for sprouting after dormancy periods. Until now, not much is known about the physiology of the corm and its gene expression pattern. In an attempt to obtain information about this organ, six developmental stages were defined in the corm and analysed two of them, generating 650 partial complementary DNA sequences (expressed sequence tags, ESTs) from two cDNA libraries constructed from corms. In the first one, at a stage characterized by storage accumulation and corm growth (C3), a remarkable amount of sequences with similarity to genes related to cell growth; protein synthesis, folding and degradation; transcription factors; and proteins related to the formation and maintenance of cell wall and other cellular structures were found. Furthermore, many sequences with similarity to genes involved in defence and stress responses, and to carbohydrate metabolism were detected. In the second library, from dormant corms (C4), a greater percentage of sequences with similarity to genes related to transport of nutrients and metabolites was present. In both libraries, a high percentage of sequences with no similarity in the public databases was found (36 % in C3 and 50 % in C4) remarking the lack of knowledge about gene expression in the corm.

Saffron, an alternative crop for sustainable agricultural systems. A review

“…In the last century, saffron cultivation areas changed completely: in European countries, despite an increase in the price of saffron, traditional cultivated areas (Spain, Italy and Greece) underwent a severe reduction. In Spain, saffron dropped from 6000 ha in 1971 to 200 ha today (Fernandez, 2004), in Greece from 1600 in 1982 to 860 according to the most recent information (Skubris, 1990;Fernandez, 2004) and in central Italy (Abruzzo) it fell from 300 ha in 1910 to 6 ha some years ago. On the contrary, an enormous increase has been registered in Iran in the last 30 years.…”

“…Due to the small area of cultivation and the minor importance given to this crop, information on its diffusion throughout the world is uncertain. Total world saffron production is estimated at about 205 tons per year (Fernandez, 2004). In the last century, saffron cultivation areas changed completely: in European countries, despite an increase in the price of saffron, traditional cultivated areas (Spain, Italy and Greece) underwent a severe reduction.…”

“…In India, saffron is widely cultivated in Kashmir, while there are notably less areas, even if considerable given the typology of the crop, in Greece (Kozani, western Macedonia), Azerbaijan (Aspheron peninsula) and Morocco (Taliouine area). There are also small cultivation areas in Italy, about 35 ha, for the most part concentrated in Sardinia (about 25 ha in S. Gavino, Cagliari province) and Abruzzo (about 6 ha in Altopiano di Navelli, L'Aquila), France, Turkey, Switzerland, Israel, Pakistan, China, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Japan and Australia (Fernandez, 2004).…”

“…1). Among these, saffron, recognised as the most expensive spice in the world (Winterhalter and Straubinger, 2000;Fernandez, 2004), certainly represents the most interesting and attractive species, for the colouring, bitterness and aromatic power of its dried stigmas.…”

Short communication. Phenological growth stages of saffron plant (Crocus sativus L.) according to the BBCH Scale

“…Figure 2 shows that some stages overlap or run concurrently in the saffron plant cycle (for instance, leaf appearance and flowering, among others); thus, it is recommended that both stages should be noted separating their codes by a forward slash. Álvarez-Ortí et al (2003) already described the phenological cycle into six stages according to the morphological and physiological characteristics observed, although this classification suits the plant cycle, it is not scaled nor coded for agricultural applications. The BBCH scale proposed in this paper for saffron plant will help farmers and technicians to efficiently cultivate and manage saffron crop.…”