![]() ![]() The nutrient solution contained the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur at 163.20, 34.53, 172.56, 105.11, 33.83, and 62.70 mg The trays were placed in individual tanks to supply the plants with nutrient solution (Nabtah HydroArabia, Hasad Al-Dahab factory for liquid fertilizers, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) via a continuous immersion system ( Figure 2). Sprouted corms (3–5 cm in length Figure 1d) with diameters of 3.2–3.5 cm were transplanted into hydroponic plastic pots (10 × 8 cm) filled with volcanic rock and placed in floating polyurethane foam trays (15 pots per tray and 3 trays per treatment). The activity of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of biochemical stress markers, including free proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), and relative water content (RWC), were also determined in saffron leaves. In the present study, we investigated the flowering, growth, photosynthetic capacity, and daughter corm production of saffron in response to various nutrient solution EC levels using a volcanic rock-based, aerated, continuous immersion, hydroponics system. The mineral nutrients in the hydroponic system affect plant growth markedly, and the optimal EC level depends on the plant species, growth conditions, and utilized hydroponic system. A volcanic rock-based aerated continuous immersion system was found to be optimal for saffron growth and daughter corm formation with an EC level of 1.4 dS m −1. In our previous study on saffron, the effects of the growing substrate, corm size, and mode of nutrient supply in the hydroponic system were investigated. In terms of nutrient solution EC, 0.7 dS m −1 was optimal in saffron, whereas 2.1 dS m −1 caused oxidative stress that led to reduced growth and daughter corm production. An EC level of 2.1 dS m −1 decreased the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of saffron but increased biochemical stress marker levels and elevated various antioxidant defense enzyme levels significantly in saffron leaves, possibly reflecting a defense response to the cellular damage provoked by the higher EC level. The optimal EC in a balanced nutrient solution was 0.7 dS m −1, at which level the highest plant height, leaf area, biomass, photosynthetic rate, number of daughter corms, and percentage of corms ≥ 25 mm were recorded. Vegetative growth and leaf gas exchange, but not flowering, were affected significantly by EC levels. Sprouted saffron corms were cultured for 24 weeks under a volcanic rock-based aerated continuous immersion system. ![]() The aim of the present study was to determine the flowering, growth, and yield responses of saffron grown using nutrient solutions with different electrical conductivity (EC) levels (0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 dS m −1). Indoor saffron farming systems under controlled conditions are required to meet the high demand for this valuable crop. ![]()
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