Bioprospecting Elicitation with Gamma Irradiation Combine with Chitosan to Enhance, Yield Production, Bioactive Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity for Saffron

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corms were subjected to gamma irradiation doses; 0,5,15,25 Gy (G1-4) then were planted as annual crop in complete randomized split block design with three replicates. The resultant plants 3 months aged and every month up tile before flowering, were vegitatively sprayed with chitosan solution; 0,50,100,200 mg/L concentrations. Data (C1-4) for growth and yield traits were recorded and subjected to statistic ANDVA, revealed that individual G2, G3 as well as C2, C3, C4 performed positive significant impact on growth traits (plant height, flowers fresh weight, number of flowers, fresh and dry weight of flowers m2) that cause to significant positive impacts in yield traits (main saffron stigmas yield /ha, second medicine – therapeutic metabolites (crocin, picrocrocin, safronal), antioxidant activity and secondary by – product, corms yield/ ha) whilst, G4 attained significant negative impacts in growth and yield traits. Combine applications (G2 C2, G2C3, G2C4), (G3C2, G3C3, G3C4) achieved significant synergistic positive impacts on growth and yield traits. Aside (G4C2, G4C3, G4C4) actuated only significant positive impacts on growth and yield traits and quality, that warrant C2-4 overcoming significant impacts for G4. Overall, results strongly manifest G and /or C reliable strategy, in vivo to enhance main saffron stigmas yield, secondary metabolite (crocin, pircorcrocin, Safronal) and antioxidant activity for saffron plants.