Bacillus Subtilis Stimulates Plant Growth and Production of Bioactive Components in Saffron Publisher

Summary: Can bacteria boost saffron? Study finds B. subtilis increases safranal & α-crocin production. #Saffron #BacillusSubtilis

Abedi AH¹ ; Adhami HR² ; Mousavi Ghahfarrokhi SS^{3, 4, 5} ; Mirmasoumi M⁶ ; Amin M³
Source: Natural Product Research Published:2024

Abstract

The effects of B. subtilis on the morphology and physiology of saffron were investigated using two types of soils. Three different bacterial suspensions were applied at 14-day intervals to treat saffron. Morphological attributes were recorded, and the amounts of α-crocin and safranal in the stigma extracts were quantified. The longest stigma, petal, and leaf were observed in the treated groups with 105 and 108 cfu/ml. The highest weight of stigma per corm belonged to the treated groups with 102 cfu/ml in unsterile soil and 105 and 108 cfu/ml in sterile soil. Treatment with 102 and 108 cfu/ml caused a significant increase in safranal production in sterile and unsterile peat/perlite. While treatment with 105 and 108 cfu/ml in sterile peat/perlite and exposure to 102 cfu/ml in unsterile peat/perlite soil resulted in an increase in α-crocin. The data showed that B. subtlis triggers the morphological and physiological processes in saffron. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.