Chasing the dream of growing best quality saffron
Ensuring quality plant material, establishing proper irrigation methods and developing a rot-resistant saffron corm are the top priorities of Dr Nasheeman Ashraf, a principal scientist at the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory at IIIM Srinagar
By Sumayyah Qureshi
| Posted on January 21, 2025
“Saffron flower is beautiful to look at, but difficult to work with,” says Dr Nasheeman Ashraf, explaining the nuances of the plant that produces the world’s most expensive spice.
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a sterile crop that propagates vegetatively through corms. “As the flower does not produce seeds, we cannot carry out its breeding. Biotechnology is the only option,” explains Ashraf, a principal scientist at the Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Srinagar.
As a plant biotechnologist, Ashraf started working on saffron in 2010 with a mission to improve the quality of Kashmiri saffron through research and to address the problems faced by the region’s saffron farmers. Climate change has influenced weather patterns, and has resulted in extreme heat and delayed rains. All these and the resultant water shortages have had a dramatic effect on saffron quality, quantity and market price, which makes Ashraf’s work all the more relevant.
She is among the few women scientists who are into saffron research. She chose saffron mainly because of its medicinal value and its status as the region’s heritage crop with worldwide recognition.
At present, Ashraf is working on improving the quality of plant material, establishing proper irrigation methods and developing a rot-resistant corm of saffron. “There is so much to learn,” she says.
Dr Nasheeman Ashraf working with one of her students at the CSIR-IIIM lab in Srinagar
Decoding the genes
Ashraf did her BSc Agriculture from the Wadoora campus of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K). She also qualified the Common Entrance Test of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and got admission in GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, where she pursued her postgraduation.
After her Master’s, she qualified the CSIR NET Junior Research Fellowship and got admission in the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Delhi, for her PhD programme.
“During my PhD, I was working on edible crops like chickpea, and did not have much idea about medicinal plants. Saffron came into my mind only after joining the Srinagar lab,” she says.
Things were not easy in the beginning as a scientist cannot jump into applied research unless basic information is available. To genetically improve a plant in terms of its quality, disease resistance or drought tolerance, the first thing needed is information about the genes involved. Only then can the genes be tinkered with, their functions changed and the pathway improved or enhanced.
So before anything else, Ashraf had to carry out an in-depth literature survey. “Certain important compounds [apocarotenoids] are responsible for the colour and aroma of saffron. They have pharmaceutical importance… As genetic information was not available, we developed transcriptome [functional gene] database sequence to see which genes are specifically formed in the stigma, because those would obviously be involved in biosynthesis of apocarotenoids,” Ashraf explains.
“With this, we started identifying, cloning and characterising genes involved in the biosynthesis,” she says, adding that there are around 60,000 genes in the database now.
Field visits
Once the gene database was ready, Ashraf reached out to farmers. “I first went to Chadoora in Budgam district of Kashmir, where people had stopped saffron cultivation due to several problems, including non-availability of water and other climatic factors,” says Ashraf.
During field visits, she noticed a lack of quality planting material and proper irrigation facilities. Moreover, land was drought-prone and corm rot disease was prevalent.
“I realigned the whole scientific programme. Earlier, we were more interested in basic research, but after understanding the problems of farmers, we started working on the applied research aspect as well,” she says.
To grow better quality saffron, Ashraf established CSIR-IIIM corm nurseries at Tangmarg in north Kashmir and in Srinagar. Growing healthy corms through proper agronomic practices and under controlled conditions were prioritised here. This is expected to eventually fulfil the demand for quality planting material.
Earlier, Ashraf’s team was more interested in basic research, but after understanding the problems of farmers, they started working on the applied research aspect as well
“We are also trying to generate tissue culture-based corms,” Ashraf informs.
In collaboration with one of her colleagues in the microbiology department of CSIR-IIIM and a PhD student, Ashraf’s team has isolated endophytes (beneficial microbes in plants) from a corm.
“This endophyte with antimicrobial properties can ensure rot resistance of the corm. To stop corm rot, we are using two approaches. First is endophytes and the second is to increase the concentration of antifungal compounds in the corm so that they give more protection to crocus corms,” she explains.
A major concern for Ashraf while carrying out research was about improving saffron quality. “We are using pathway engineering or metabolic engineering. This will not only enhance the quality, but also make the plant drought tolerant,” she says.
“The gender gap is wide, but I can see change happening. Today, I have a male student and four female students working in my group”
Expansion mode
Nobody had earlier tried growing saffron in Baramulla or Srinagar. Ashraf brought about a change by successfully growing the plant in institutional farms located in these districts and a few others. This could go a long way in improving production as saffron fields are shrinking in Pampore, the main centre of saffron cultivation in Kashmir, due to rapid unplanned urbanisation.
“We are looking forward to how well the plant will respond to the soil and weather conditions in these districts,” she says, while explaining about this project she received from the Department of Biotechnology in 2022 to expand saffron cultivation to non-traditional areas and improve the livelihood of farmers.
“Other districts also have the potential to grow saffron. It only needs good aeration and raised beds,” Ashraf adds.
Her work is expected to give a new direction to this important crop. For her, building the gene database was a major achievement. It took Ashraf and her team years to establish the gene database and then identify the genes. The database was finally published in 2015.
“We have the gene data, but the transformation protocol of crocus has not been established yet. We are working hard on it. Once it is established, we will start with raising an improved saffron variety.”
Though she has had her set of challenges and hurdles, she says her blessings have always surpassed hardships. “I have received recognition for my work. I do not want to give any negative message by talking about the struggles. If you work hard, it pays off.”
Gender lens
There are only three women among the 15 staff members at IIIM Srinagar campus. “Gender gap is wide, but I can see change happening. Today, I have a male student and four female students working in my group. We see many female students coming to do Master’s and PhD, but what is important is how many of them reach high positions.”
Najwa Shabir, a PhD student of Ashraf, says saffron researchers in Kashmir are mostly involved with the production and other aspects. However, Dr Ashraf’s group looked into the genetic or molecular biological aspect. “As we are a molecular biology-based lab, we study gene expression and how we can modulate it. We are trying to combat the reasons for the decline in saffron production in Kashmir. We want to enhance saffron genetically and make a better variety,” Shabir says.
It took Ashraf and team years to establish the gene database and then identify the genes in saffron. The database was finally published in 2015
According to her, corm rot was responsible for 70% decline in saffron production in Kashmir. “Through my research, I have identified one carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase enzyme involved in corm rot defence in saffron. We are working on this further, and our main goal is to tackle three issues — lack of quality material, diseases and corm rot, and climate change. All the students working under Dr Ashraf are focusing on a different aspect of saffron. We are taking baby steps, but we are going to be there.”
On her determination to grow ‘smart’ saffron, Ashraf says, “This is my desire and dream — to grow the best quality saffron.”
She wants parents to give wings to their daughters just like how her own parents supported her journey. “This is the time to break stereotypes and allow daughters to explore.”
For Ashraf, her work is not just another job. “You take things home, you think about your work at home. It is a social responsibility.”
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