Economics and Marketing
Amirhossein Tohidi; Mohammad Ghorbani; Alireza Karbasi; Ahmadreza Asgharpourmasouleh; Behrooz Hassani-Mahmooei
Abstract
Nowadays due to the intensity of competition and continuous changes in environmental conditions, identification of customers' needs and wants is essential to gaining competitive advantage in domestic and international markets. Saffron is one of the most valuable and important agricultural products in ...
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Nowadays due to the intensity of competition and continuous changes in environmental conditions, identification of customers' needs and wants is essential to gaining competitive advantage in domestic and international markets. Saffron is one of the most valuable and important agricultural products in Iran, and for the development of its market, it is necessary to consider the preferences of consumers of this product. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to rank and evaluate the effect of saffron attributes on the consumer utility of this product in Mashhad city. In this study, 3, 3 and 8 levels were considered for the trade name, packaging type and weight, respectively. In 2020, The data from 400 respondents were collected using a stratified sampling method (with proportionate allocation) from 13 districts of Mashhad-Iran. Using conjoint analysis, the results of the study showed that the weight of saffron marketed and the packaging type are important attributes influencing consumer preferences. In a more detailed analysis and taking into account the attribute levels, the results of the study confirmed that the highest utility values were found in saffron products with pocket packaging and weight of 4.608 gr. According to the study results, to design marketing strategies for different customer groups, saffron companies are recommended to pay more attention to consumer preferences in target markets.
Economics and Marketing
javad adeli; Ali Akbar Anabestani
Abstract
One of the Iran's agricultural problems is the decrease in native products. The objective of this research is to study the reasons for cultivating saffron in the temperate mountainous regions of the Golestan province. Accordingly, the type of research is both applied and developmental and its methodology ...
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One of the Iran's agricultural problems is the decrease in native products. The objective of this research is to study the reasons for cultivating saffron in the temperate mountainous regions of the Golestan province. Accordingly, the type of research is both applied and developmental and its methodology is descriptive-analytical. The field of research includes the farms of Vamnan village in the Azadshahr County. Its statistical society is 110 farmers who are experienced in saffron cultivation. Data was collected from the Census carried out through questionnaires, and was analyzed and interpreted by SPSS. The results have shown that, in comparison to other local products, saffron is more climatically resistant, in so far as 82.1% of farmers, in their prioritizations to cultivate agricultural products, have named saffron as the first one. This rate is usually low among other products. From the income indicator perspective, saffron cultivation income is more than the income from cultivation of other local products. To compare, saffron income is (92,372 thousand Rials), while for potatoes it is (5983 thousand Rials) and for cereals it is (9617.2 thousand Riyals). In addition, there is a meaningful relationship of 99% between people’s interest to grow saffron and its economic conditions on the one hand and physiological features on the other hand. Lack of the necessary infrastructure and markets in the region, lack of drying machines, and shortage of labor are stated as the greatest obstacles to the development of saffron in the area. Therefore, obstacles in the development of saffron in the region are essential.
Economics and Marketing
Seyed Amir Mohamad Alavizade; Mahmood Reza Mirlotfi; Nazanin Naimabadi
Abstract
Agricultural sustainability is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of sustainable development. The main source of income for the residents of villages of the Khorasan Razavi province is based on agricultural and horticultural products especially sale of saffron. In this regard the turquoise shades ...
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Agricultural sustainability is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of sustainable development. The main source of income for the residents of villages of the Khorasan Razavi province is based on agricultural and horticultural products especially sale of saffron. In this regard the turquoise shades of the flowers of this plant encompass all of the fields in Nishabur and they have been much welcomed by farmers in this city. In this study, the cultivation of saffron in creating economic stability of the rural district Derbghazi in the central part of the city of Nishabur city will be examined. The research method in this paper is based on library, documentary, field and analytical – descriptive studies. In this context and in order to determine the economic stability of rural areas, the Morris Davis model has been used. This model contains three matrices that separately calculate and analyze the economic indicators. The statistical population under study consists of more than one hundred households from the rural villages in the Derbghazi rural district and the sample population studied consists of 308 households based on the Cochran formula. The results of the Morris Davis model indicate that among ten villages that were studied, Behroudi, Jilo, Khojan and Norouazabad have low economic stability, and Rouhabad, Haghiye, Shadmiyane, Karizak plus the villages of Jafarabad garden and Karizak Sabbah have average economic stability. In the end and based on the results of the research study some recommendations are presented in order to maintain employment in the region and support the farmers who are cultivating saffron to encourage the till of saffron and help the economic stability of the residents of the villages that were studied.
Agriculture
Fatemeh Nasirian; Ali Sorooshzadeh; Faezeh Ghanati; Hussein Oraki
Abstract
This research was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications, to evaluate the effect of root-zone temperature on antioxidant activity in saffron corm in 2013. In this experiment, effect of two root-zone temperatures (23±1°C and 33±1°C ) in growth chamber ...
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This research was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications, to evaluate the effect of root-zone temperature on antioxidant activity in saffron corm in 2013. In this experiment, effect of two root-zone temperatures (23±1°C and 33±1°C ) in growth chamber on the activity of antioxidant enzymes: peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and auxin oxidase in the apical of saffron corms during corm dormancy stage (July) and at beginning corm growing stage (October) were studied. The results showed that at both root-zone temperatures the activity of all enzymes were least in July. Moreover at the 33°C root-zone temperature no differences in enzyme activities were observed between the months of July to October. In addition measured soluble sugars in buds and corms of saffron showed the highest rate of glucose, mannose, and arabinose at a temperature of 23° C, respectively. Thus, treatment of 23° C as the best temperature for storage and maintenance of saffron corms was introduced.
Agriculture
Lorin ali ahmad; ali sorooshzadeh; ali mokhtassi
Abstract
In recent years many research studies have been carried out to use a vertical planting system for production of some plants. Although saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the word, there is no investigation about saffron production in a vertical planting system. Therefore, the growth and production ...
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In recent years many research studies have been carried out to use a vertical planting system for production of some plants. Although saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the word, there is no investigation about saffron production in a vertical planting system. Therefore, the growth and production of saffron plant in two different systems (vertical and horizontal) were studied in the agricultural research field of the Tarbiat Modares University during the 2013-2014 growing seasons. In the vertical system, saffron corms were planted in fabric bags containing potting soil. The fabric bags were hanged on a cube of metal with an area of each side of the cube being equal to 2.25 square meters. In the horizontal system, the corms were planted in three plots with the area of each plots being 2.25 square meters. The results showed that in the vertical planting system, the number of flowers, flower dry weight and dry weight of stigma per unit area of land (10 flower, 347.34 and 0.56 mg respectively) were significantly higher than those obtained in the horizontal culture (They were almost three times higher) .In contrast, the numbers and dry weight of lateral corms (2.4 corm and 0.36 g respectively) and the dry weight of apical corm (0.88 g) in the horizontal system were significantly greater than those obtained in the vertical system. Dry weight of leaf and root were significantly greater in the vertical system. The total number of buds and leaves were more in the horizontal culture. However, the maximum leaf length of the vertical planting system was higher than those of the horizontal system.
Economics and Marketing
seyed meysam jalili; akbar Mirzapour Babajan; Beitollah Akbari Moghadam; Arash Hadizade Miyarkolaee
Abstract
Investigation the Relationship between Saffron warehouse receipt's price fluctuations and saffron future trading volume in Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME)AbstractThe Present article examines the effect of future trading volume on warehouse receipt's price fluctuations and the two way communication between ...
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Investigation the Relationship between Saffron warehouse receipt's price fluctuations and saffron future trading volume in Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME)AbstractThe Present article examines the effect of future trading volume on warehouse receipt's price fluctuations and the two way communication between them, in order to analyze mixture of Mixture of Distribution Hypothesis (MDH) and Sequential Information Arrival Hypothesis (SIAH).For this purpose, this study using the relationship between linear and non-linear causality between these variables. Results indicate that there is a two linear causality relationship between warehouse receipt’s price fluctuation and future trading volume. To investigate the existence of non-linear causality between the two under studied, variables VAR model residual was used. The BDS test Results on VAR model residuals show the existence of a non-linear relationship between the mentioned variables. The results of the non-linear granger causality test based on neural network show that futures trading volume are the cause for price fluctuations in saffron warehouse receipt and therefore it can be stated that In Saffron trading in Iran commodity exchange, information flows from futures market to cash market and speculation in saffron warehouse receipt market as a stabilizer could not affect future trading prices.Materials and Methods:In this study, ARMA models are used to analyze the time series production process and then Garch model to extract time series fluctuations of saffron warehouse receipts, VAR model to use model residuals and to recognize the existence of nonlinear relationships between variables. The linear and nonlinear Granger causality test has been used to examine the causality, which explains the nonlinear Granger causality test and its related preparations. To use nonlinear tests such as Granger nonlinear causality test, first it is necessary to ensure the existence of nonlinear relationships between variables, which is done by the BDS test, which is described below. After proving the existence of nonlinear relationships between variables, in this study, we used artificial neural networks and R software to investigate the existence of nonlinear causality.The results of BDS test on the residuals obtained from the VAR model between the variables show the existence of a non-linear relationship between the variables. The results show that although the existence of causality between the studied variables is proved linearly, but due to the non-linear effects between the variables and Granger nonlinear causality test, price fluctuations of warehouse receipts cannot be the cause of saffron futures volume. This means that information is flowing from the saffron futures markets to spot market, and since price fluctuations in warehouse receipt cannot be a reason for the volume of saffron futures transactions, It can be stated that speculation in the commodity deposit certificate market will not lead to changes in the trading volume of futures and as a result the price will not stabilize in future periods.
Economics and Marketing
Amirhossein Tohidi; Mohammad Ghorbani; Alireza Karbasi; Ahmadreza Asgharpourmasouleh; Behrooz Hassani-Mahmooei
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most valuable and important agricultural products in Iran, and, it is necessary to consider the preferences of consumers to develop its market. Consumers have different needs and wants, and by benefit segmenting the saffron market, companies can understand customers' preferences ...
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Saffron is one of the most valuable and important agricultural products in Iran, and, it is necessary to consider the preferences of consumers to develop its market. Consumers have different needs and wants, and by benefit segmenting the saffron market, companies can understand customers' preferences in each segment of the market correctly. Therefore, in this study, using the crisp and fuzzy clustering algorithms, the saffron market was divided into homogenous segments, and then, using the results of the conjoint analysis; consumer preferences, attitudes, and demographic characteristics were examined in each saffron market segment. The necessary data were collected from 400 respondents using a stratified sampling method from 13 districts of Mashhad, Iran. The results of this study showed that the saffron market could be divided into six homogeneous segments, and the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm performs better at finding clusters than k-means, k-medoids, fuzzy Gustafson-Kessel and fuzzy Gath-Geva methods. According to the study findings, in most market segments, the weight of saffron and the packaging type are the most important attributes influencing purchase decisions. Based on the study results, it is suggested that saffron companies consider consumer preferences in different market segments when supplying saffron products and formulating marketing strategies.
Agriculture
Faride Ahmadi; Mohammad Hossein Aminifard; Mehdi Khayyat; Ali Reza Samadzade
Abstract
The effects of application of humic acid and planting density on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were four levels humic acid (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg.ha-1) and three density plantings (50, 75 and 100 corm.m-2). This experiment was carried ...
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The effects of application of humic acid and planting density on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of saffron were evaluated under field conditions. Treatments were four levels humic acid (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg.ha-1) and three density plantings (50, 75 and 100 corm.m-2). This experiment was carried out as a factorial based on randomized completely block design with three replications in the research farm of Birjand University, Iran, during the cropping year 2015-2016. The results showed that humic acid levels improved the corm vegetative indices (total weight of corm, fresh and dry weight of corm). The highest total weight of corm (23.09 g.plant-1) was obtained in with 5 kg.ha-1 humic acid. The results also showed that humic acid improved the saffron flower characteristics (flower number and fresh total yield, stigma fresh and dry yield) in the second year. The highest stigma fresh (1.35 g.m-2) and stigma dry (0.23 g.m-2) yield were obtained in plants treated with 10 kg.ha-1 humic acid while the lowest values were recorded in the control group. Application of different levels of planting density had a positive effect on flower number and fresh total yield, stigma fresh and dry yield in the second year of experiment. The highest of these characteristics were observed in planting density of 100 corm.m-2. Application of different levels of planting density and humic acid had a positive effect on the stigma length and stigma fresh yield. Thus, the results showed that 5 kg.ha-1 of humic acid and 75 corm.m-2 planting density have a significant impact on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of saffron.
Agriculture
Mohammad Nateq Golestan; Arash Honarmand
Abstract
Saffron or red gold is a strategic agricultural product with a very high non-oil export potential. Considering the ban on the use of synthetic chemical poisons against saffron pests and the growing trend of planting this product in the country, as well as the importance of producing certified seeds of ...
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Saffron or red gold is a strategic agricultural product with a very high non-oil export potential. Considering the ban on the use of synthetic chemical poisons against saffron pests and the growing trend of planting this product in the country, as well as the importance of producing certified seeds of agricultural products, it is inevitable to find non-chemical ways to control the pest and produce certified saffron onions. Meanwhile, the saffron mite Rhizoglyphus robini Claparède is one of the most important pests of saffron, which causes great damage to onions and saffron crops every year. In the present study, the toxicity of four plant essential oils from the Asteraceae family, including Artemisia sieberi Besser, Acroptilon repens (L.), Cichorium intybus L. and Achillea millefolium L., was evaluated on the adult female species of the saffron mite in laboratory conditions. Bioassay was performed by fumigation method inside a 5 cm petri dish in total darkness, with a relative humidity of 70% and a temperature of 26 degrees for 24 hours. For each essential oil, 6 concentrations and 3 repetitions were considered for each concentration. The results of the bioassay by fumigation method showed that the essential oil of A.sieberiwith LC50 = 160.09 ppm has the highest and C. intybus essential oil with LC50 = 440.12 ppm has the lowest toxicity on saffron bulb mite. Also, the highest concentration slope was observed in A. repens essential oil (5.801±0.719) and the lowest was observed in the essential oil of A. sieberi and A. millefolium. Based on the starting point of toxicity, the essential oil of A. sieberiwith the highest intercept (-2.177±0.323) caused the fastest initial toxicity on bulb mite at a concentration of 33.21 ppm.
Agriculture
Mahmoud Gholami; Mohammad Kafi; Hamid reza Khazaie; Hossein Abarghouei
Abstract
In order to improve saffron yield and modify crop pattern in arid areas, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replication in a research field in Charkhab village of Yazd province during 2013-2016. Main plots included; irrigation in three levels (100%, ...
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In order to improve saffron yield and modify crop pattern in arid areas, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replication in a research field in Charkhab village of Yazd province during 2013-2016. Main plots included; irrigation in three levels (100%, 75% and 50% of ETc), and sub plots were seven fertilizer management including; control (zero fertilization), applying 10 t/ha cow manure(10M), 10 t/ha vermicompost by spreading(10V), 10 t/ha vermicompost buried under planting corm rows (10RV), 5 t/ha vermicompost buried under planting corm rows(5RV), spraying 10 L/ha Humaster Saffron fertilizer for 1 (SH) or 2 (CH) times after flowering. Results showed that as water stress decreased from 75% to 50% ET, flower yield and its relative traits, bud number per plant, leaf dry weight, highest corm weight, total corm weight and effective corm weight decreased significantly in each treatment. Among fertilizer managements, 10M treatment increased growth characteristics of saffron plants in the first year while 10RV and CH treatments showed better performance in the second and third years. Generally, results showed that using Humaster-Saffron fertilizer showed advantages in comparison with other treatments due to its potassium and humic acid content and possibility of its easy application in every year and along with irrigation water.
Economics and Marketing
Alireza Karbasi; Hashem Mahmoudi; Behzad Fakari Sardehae; Mohammad Mehdi Farsi Aliabadi
Abstract
Saffron is one of the important agricultural product and North Khorasan, Razavi and South is considered as the major producers in Iran. In this study Central Market Hypothesis or price leadership has been examined. For this purpose Johanson Co-integration test for monthly price data since 2006 to 2011 ...
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Saffron is one of the important agricultural product and North Khorasan, Razavi and South is considered as the major producers in Iran. In this study Central Market Hypothesis or price leadership has been examined. For this purpose Johanson Co-integration test for monthly price data since 2006 to 2011 for these provinces has been used. Main results indicated that South Khorasan is a price leader between these provinces. In addition, saffron market is unit in South Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi and the law of one price is indefeasible. Moreover, North Khorasan has a separate market and in long run saffron market in this province is not an impressible market. The adoption of a policy on each of the three provinces, affects the other two the product market provinces.
Economics and Marketing
Somayeh Koochakzadeh; Alireza Karbasi
Abstract
Considering the role of the foreign commerce in economic development of the country and the emphasis of economy planners to develop non-oil exports, and also to get released from the single-product economy, it is necessary to pay more attention to one product economy. Among the export products with substantial ...
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Considering the role of the foreign commerce in economic development of the country and the emphasis of economy planners to develop non-oil exports, and also to get released from the single-product economy, it is necessary to pay more attention to one product economy. Among the export products with substantial privilege, saffron is considered as an important product in the economy. This is because of its special position in the occupation of farmers in the agriculture sector and having a considerable exchange income for the country. The importance of saffron as a valuable export product in the country’s economy and also in world economy becomes more obvious now. To keep Iran’s position as the greatest producer and exporter of saffron in world markets and increase the export of this valuable product, a study of the problems of export and its effective factors could be an important step in this case. Therefore, this research studied the effective factors on saffron commerce in Iran during the period of 2001-2013. In this study, the gravity model and the method of economy measuring panel is used. The result showed that the gross internal production and the population of importing countries and exchange rate with coefficients: 1.55, 0.015, and 0.54 have positive and considerable effect on Iranian saffron.
Agriculture
Somayeh Heydari; Maryam Khalili
Abstract
The main component responsible for color in saffron is crocin with the chemical formula of C44H64O24. Crocin is one of several carotenoids in nature that is soluble in water. This solubility is one of the reasons for its widespread usage as a colorant in food and medicine compared to other carotenoids. ...
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The main component responsible for color in saffron is crocin with the chemical formula of C44H64O24. Crocin is one of several carotenoids in nature that is soluble in water. This solubility is one of the reasons for its widespread usage as a colorant in food and medicine compared to other carotenoids. The coloring strength of saffron is one of the major factors that determine the quality of the saffron stigma. It will be evaluated with measuring of crocin. Microextraction is the newest and easiest method that can be successfully applied for the preconcentration and separation of crocin in saffron samples. The advantages of this method are faster, cheaper and easier analysis by UV-Vis spectrophotometry in measurement of crocin compared to the chromatographic analysis methods. The studies showed that the type and volume of disperser and extractant solvent have a significant effect on the efficiency of crocin extraction. In this work, acetone as the disperser solvent and dichlorometane as the extractant solvent were found to be suitable combinations. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.15-0.00001 μg mL-1 and the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated based on 3 Sb/m (where, Sb and m are the standard deviation of the blank and slop ratio of the calibration curve respectively) was 0.000008 μg mL-1. The procedure was applied to saffron samples and the good recovery percent for the saffron samples was obtained.
parisa sheykholeslami; Jalal Saba; Farid Shekari; Mohammad Reza Azimi; Azam Maleki
Abstract
Each year a large amount of saffron petals which make up a significant proportion of saffron flowers are discarded as waste while this part of the flower also contains compounds such as phenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid and antioxidant properties. Two separate experiments were conducted using randomized ...
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Each year a large amount of saffron petals which make up a significant proportion of saffron flowers are discarded as waste while this part of the flower also contains compounds such as phenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid and antioxidant properties. Two separate experiments were conducted using randomized complete block design with three replications in order to evaluate secondary metabolites, total phenol content and antioxidant capacity of petals in eight saffron populations under normal and once irrigation conditions at the research farm of university of Zanjan on three year old saffron plants. In order to measure and determine secondary metabolites, total phenol content and antioxidant properties of saffron petal extract, UV-Visible Metering Spectra, folin-Ciocalteu and DPPH were used, respectively. Combined analysis of variance under normal and once irrigation conditions showed that the difference between secondary metabolites and antioxidant properties was not significant in the two irrigation conditions. While, total phenol content was significantly higher under the once irrigation condition, the Torbat-e-jam population had highest total phenol content (86.66 mg gallic acid per gram of methanolic extract) under this condition. In both irrigation conditions, the evaluated populations exhibited suitable amounts of picocrocin, safranal, phenol and antioxidant properties which can be considered to be of use for us in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Hossien Riahi Modavar; Abbas Khashei-Siuki; Akram Seifi
Abstract
Because of saffron yield sensitivity and the effects of climate on its performance, and also due to the nonlinear nature of crop yield functions, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model is employed in this study for prediction and uncertainty analysis of saffron yield in the South Khorasan province ...
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Because of saffron yield sensitivity and the effects of climate on its performance, and also due to the nonlinear nature of crop yield functions, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model is employed in this study for prediction and uncertainty analysis of saffron yield in the South Khorasan province based on 20 years of data. The input vector of the ANN model was optimized from 37 parameters through correlation and variance inflation. The optimum architecture of the model was derived as 1-2-4-11 with a sigmoidal activation function based on the results at three stages of training, testing and verification. The root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were equal to 0.3 and 0.5 in the training step and 0.7 and 1 in the test step, respectively. These results indicate that the ANN is a suitable model for predicting saffron yield. Uncertainty analysis based on R2, d-factor and 95%PPU showed that despite use of inadequate data, model prediction showed acceptable prediction bounds and predicted a satisfactorily saffron yield trend. The R2 values were equal to 0.92 and 0.58 in the training and test steps, respectively, which are statistically significant at the P
Economics and Marketing
Mohammad Ghorbani; saeed Shavvalpour
Abstract
In this study we investigate the importance of agricultural sector research and technology organizations (RTO) in the national economic system. The main objective of the paper is to identify and rank the factors affecting the promotion of these RTOs share in saffron’s added value. Through the literature ...
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In this study we investigate the importance of agricultural sector research and technology organizations (RTO) in the national economic system. The main objective of the paper is to identify and rank the factors affecting the promotion of these RTOs share in saffron’s added value. Through the literature review we extracted all the relevant factors that have been mentioned by different researchers. Then, we classified these factors into six components: applied research, technology acquisition, commercialization, market development, industry’s internal factors and national macro factors. We used a Likert scale questionnaire to gather the data about the importance of each factor based on research and technology experts’ points of view. To analyze the data we utilized confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) methods using SPSS and smart PLS software packages. The results show that the most important factor affecting the share of agricultural RTOs in a products added value is the promotion of industrial firms to invest in the field of agricultural research and development. Finally, according to the obtained results, some suggestions for improving research and technology have been provided.
Biotechnology and genetics
Ali Mohammad Mohit-Ardakani; Seyed Ebrahim Seifati; Ali Izanloo; Zahra Karimi-bekr
Abstract
In recent years, the use of saffron spice is increasing due to its medicinal properties and effective components. In addition to increasing crop production, increasing the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites is considered one of the most important objectives of plant breeding programs. On the ...
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In recent years, the use of saffron spice is increasing due to its medicinal properties and effective components. In addition to increasing crop production, increasing the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites is considered one of the most important objectives of plant breeding programs. On the other hand, the saffron plant has low genetic diversity due to the nature of vegetative propagation and induction of variation through mutagenesis is a suitable tool to achieve the desired diversity. Gamma radiation is one of the most widely used physical mutagens in plant breeding programs. In order to investigate the effect of gamma-ray on some growth and phytochemical indices of saffron plants, an experiment was conducted in an unbalanced complete randomized design with three treatments (Control, 15 and 18 Gy) at Yazd University. In this experiment, 15 and 18 Gy doses of gamma irradiation (Co60) were applied at Karaj Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute to induce mutations on collected saffron corms from Qaen, South Khorasan in August 2017. In this study, picrocrocin, safranal and crocin were measured in a 1% aqueous solution at 254, 330 and 440 nm wavelengths, respectively. Based on the results of this experiment, the effect of irradiation on picrocrocin and crocin was significant (P <0.001) and the observed amounts of these compounds (93.77 and 263.02) at the dose of 15 Gy were significantly higher than 18 Gy (92.34 and 262.73), while in terms of safranal content, the difference between radiation levels was not significant. Leaf area index and harvest index were also significant and showed the highest amount of these two indices at 15 Gy dose (3.06 and 0.14). In this study, although gamma radiation treatment could not significantly change the number of daughter corms between different levels of radiation and control, a significant reduction in relative chlorophyll content and an average weight of corms were observed compared to the control (without radiation). In general, the results of this study showed that in phytochemical traits as well as harvest index and leaf area, 15 Gy had a significant advantage over plants without radiation, but at higher levels of gamma radiation, probably due to degradation of genetic content and its effect on some biochemical parameters, 18 Gy plants failed to show acceptable results.
Agriculture
Hassan Feizi; Seyyed Mohammad Seyyedi; Hossein Sahabi
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) propagates by replacement corms producing from the mother corm after flowering during each season. In order to investigate the effect of corm planting density, organic and chemical fertilizers on formation and phosphorus uptake of saffron replacement corms during phonological ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) propagates by replacement corms producing from the mother corm after flowering during each season. In order to investigate the effect of corm planting density, organic and chemical fertilizers on formation and phosphorus uptake of saffron replacement corms during phonological stages, a field experiment was conducted as factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications, at Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The experimental treatments were all combination of different levels of planting density (25, 50, 75 and 100 corms per m2) and fertilizer sources (manure 25 t. ha-1, chemical fertilizer (N 150 kg ha-1 + P 75 kg ha-1) and control). Due to different sampling dates of replacement corms during phonological stages (21 November, 21 December, 20 January, 20 April and 21 May, respectively), the experimental data were analyzed as factorial - split in time based on a randomized complete block design. Based on results, the highest number of replacement corms lower than 4 g (5.8 corms per plant) were observed in fifth sampling stage and then decreased. In all levels of planting density (25 to 100 corms per m2), the effects of manure on increasing the number, weight and phosphorus content of replacement corms in range of 4.1 to 8 and 8.1 to 12 g per plant were significantly higher than chemical fertilizer. In fifth sampling stage, by applying the manure, the weight and phosphorus content of replacement corms in range of 8.1 to 12 g per plant were significantly increased (approximately twice), as compared to chemical fertilizer. It seems the decrease in saffron yield as result to decreasing the corm planting density can be slightly offset by increasing the percentage of larger corms formation per plant.
Economics and Marketing
Toktam Mohtashami
Abstract
Given the importance of saffron corms in improving crop yields, it is necessary to supply standard corms that meet the standards required to ensure high yields, especially in the early years of cultivation. Given that currently, there is no official market for this product (standard corm), this study ...
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Given the importance of saffron corms in improving crop yields, it is necessary to supply standard corms that meet the standards required to ensure high yields, especially in the early years of cultivation. Given that currently, there is no official market for this product (standard corm), this study attempted to use the conditional valuation method to measure the maximum willingness to pay of saffron farmers for this non-marketed product, while investigate the factors affecting the selection of this type of corms. The study population consisted of 150 saffron growers in Torbat Heydariyeh and Zaveh area of Razavi Khorasan province. Using Multiple Logit Model to determine factors affecting the selection of one of the certified saffron corms (Type A, corm weighing 5-10 g and up to 60% flowering in the first year, Type B corm weighing 10-15 g and 80% flowering in the first year, Type C corms weighing 15-20 g and up to 90% flowering in the first year, Type D corms weighing more than 20 g and more than 90% flowering in the first year), it was found that increase in education, area, pre-crop treatment and having a lateral occupation significantly increases the probability of selecting corms type A. In contrast, increasing of age and onion weight decreases the likelihood of selection of these corms. Likewise, in selection of B and C corms, education, area of cultivation, lateral occupation, age and pre-cultivation treatment were found to be significant and effective. After estimating the parameters of the Multi Logit model, the expected mean value of willingness to pay (WTP) was set at 82500 Rials, which is higher than the current average price of corms available on the market indicating that saffron growers are willing to pay more for these certified corms.
Other subject about saffron
hamed kaveh
Abstract
Saffron is considered as a valuable produce by producers and traders. Unfortunately, the use of its floral by products like petal which have proven to be antioxidant, antimicrobial and nutritional value is limited. In order to investigate the application of saffron petal extracts as an ameliorative on ...
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Saffron is considered as a valuable produce by producers and traders. Unfortunately, the use of its floral by products like petal which have proven to be antioxidant, antimicrobial and nutritional value is limited. In order to investigate the application of saffron petal extracts as an ameliorative on postharvest and processing quality of fresh-cut ‘Crimson Sweet’ watermelon, a completely randomized designed investigation was done on watermelon cubes with 1cm diameter (1±0.5 gram mean weight). Prepared watermelon cubes were divided into four groups and treated with saffron petal extract (10 % V/V) for 10 minutes, UV irradiation (maximum wavelength 253.4 nm and 15W) for 5 minutes, 10 minutes of saffron petal extract then UV irradiation for 5 minutes and control. After the application of treatments, fresh-cut watermelon cubes were stored at 5±0.5 ºC for 14 days. Sampling and observation of the studied characteristics (physiological loss in weight, soluble solid content, lycopene, microbial load and color quality (Chroma Hue)) was done every two days to find the trend of changes during the retention period. The results of experiment showed that petal extract of saffron could not decrease weight loss but it was significantly effective in lowering microbial load and increasing color quality, and prevention of lycopene degradation (P≤5%). Although treatment of UV+SPE had better efficiency to suppress microbial load significantly (P≤5%).
Agriculture
Fariba Niroomandfad; Abbas Khashei Siuki; Seyed Reza Hashemi; Khalil Ghorbani
Abstract
Investigating and identifying the actual amount of water used for different agricultural products is of particular importance, and considering such evaluations, appropriate solutions can be provided to reduce agricultural water consumption, which is of great importance. The water footprint index as a ...
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Investigating and identifying the actual amount of water used for different agricultural products is of particular importance, and considering such evaluations, appropriate solutions can be provided to reduce agricultural water consumption, which is of great importance. The water footprint index as a global index shows the actual amount of water consumed by products based on the conditions and climate of each region. On the other hand, the phenomenon of climate change is one of the most important environmental challenges that has a significant impact on water resources. Therefore, it is important and necessary to evaluate this phenomenon in order to predict its impact on water consumption in the agricultural sector. In this research, the simulation of climate parameters using the MIROCES2L model of the 6th Report of the General Oceanic Atmospheric Circulation under three scenarios SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 in Birjand plain has been done and then using those results to calculate the footprint prediction The blue water and green water traces of the strategic product of saffron were carried out in the Birjand Plain region. The results of the first part showed that the minimum temperature and maximum temperature in all three scenarios in the future (2050-2022) generally increased and the precipitation parameter increased in autumn and winter and decreased in spring and summer. In the second part, the prediction of saffron crop performance by NIO model showed that under three scenarios SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 in the future (2022-2038) on average 0.13, 0.21 respectively and 0.05 kg/ha has decreased compared to the observation period (2005-2021) and the results showed that with the increase in water demand in the future period, the water footprint, the green water footprint and the total water footprint of the saffron crop under the influence of climate change In the future period, it has increased by almost 2 times compared to the observation period. Also, the ratio of blue water consumption to green water in this product has increased in the future under all three scenarios compared to the observation period from 1.91 to 2.04. Therefore, despite the phenomenon of climate change, increase in temperature, increase in water demand, and finally increase in the footprint of water consumption in surface and underground water sources in the Birjand plain in the coming years, it is necessary to implement a suitable model of water consumption in the plain and To use appropriate and effective solutions to reduce the water footprint in the study area, the methods of reducing the area under cultivation, less irrigation, changing the cultivation pattern and changing the agricultural calendar should also be proposed and implemented.
Other subject about saffron
Hassan Rahimi; Ehssan Torabi; Hossien Rahimi; Mahdi Araghi; Mohammad Roshnavandi
Abstract
In this research, the effects of solarization by transparent plastics, planting time and the first irrigation after planting on the populations of saffron bulb mite (Rhizoglyphus robini) and yield (Crocus sativus L.) were investigated. A split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete ...
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In this research, the effects of solarization by transparent plastics, planting time and the first irrigation after planting on the populations of saffron bulb mite (Rhizoglyphus robini) and yield (Crocus sativus L.) were investigated. A split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicates from 2011 to 2015 in Gonabad, Khorasan Razavi province. Solarization and non-solarization factors were placed in the main plots. Seven crop managing packages including 1- planting without irrigation in September, 2- irrigation immediately after planting in September, 3- planting without irrigation in June, 4- irrigation immediately after planting in June, 5- planting in June and irrigation in August, 6- planting without irrigation in September of the next year, and 7- irrigation immediately after planting in September of the next year were placed in sub-plots. The results showed that regardless of management package, solarization suppressed the mite populations and increased saffron yield. Package 4, Irrigation immediately after planting on June, increased the mite populations and decreased saffron yields. However, package 2, irrigation on September, reduces the mite populations and increases saffron yield. Planting Saffron in June (packages 3, 4, and 5) resulted in more yield compared to Planting at September (packages 1, 2, 6, and 7). The lowest reduction in the population of mites (94%) and the highest yield (77%) were achieved through solarization and by implementing package 3, treatment and cultivation in June of the next year with no irrigation after planting.
Agriculture
Ehsan Taghizadeh Tousi
Abstract
In this research, concentrations of vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, zinc, and arsenic were measured in saffron and saffron farm soil in two counties of Torbat Heydariyeh and Zaveh as two main centers of saffron production in the world using the neutron activation analysis method. The soil chromium ...
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In this research, concentrations of vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, zinc, and arsenic were measured in saffron and saffron farm soil in two counties of Torbat Heydariyeh and Zaveh as two main centers of saffron production in the world using the neutron activation analysis method. The soil chromium and cobalt concentrations of all farms were found to be much higher than the WHO level and the values of vanadium, manganese, zinc, and arsenic were lower than the admissible level. The deficiency of essential elements for plant growth in the soil was not found. Two statistical analyses were used to evaluate the results of neutron activation analysis. The results of the paired t-test showed that the concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and cobalt were similar in different soil depths, which indicated distribution of these elements in the soil to be uniform. Also, only the zinc concentrations in the corm and its surrounding soil were statistically significant, which could indicate a strong movement of this element from soil to saffron. This test also showed that the distribution of the elements was uniform in the shoots. The correlation coefficients show that the uptake of cobalt and manganese by the saffron may decrease by increasing concentration of zinc in the soil. In addition, based on the contamination index and geo-accumulation, all soils in Torbat Heydarieh and Zaveh are extremely contaminated by chromium. In the adjacent areas in these two counties (south of Torbat Heydarieh and the west of Zaveh), and the central zone of Zaveh, the contamination levels of arsenic in the soil were found to be moderate and very high, respectively. Saffron crops were estimated uncontaminated in all farms, except in eastern Zaveh and south of Torbat Heydarieh that were contaminated by chrome. According to both indices of load and degree of contamination, the soil of all saffron farms were found to be highly contaminated. Soil contamination was evaluated to be extreme by the using both pollution load Index (PLI) and contamination degree (CD). In addition, saffron threads were found to be totally uncontaminated (except in the south of Torbat Heydarieh, where the crop was moderately polluted), according to PLI and CD.
Other subject about saffron
mehdi Bashiri; Ali Maroosi; Amir Salari; Mohammad Ghodoosi
Abstract
Yield prediction for agricultural crops plays an important role in export-import planning, purchase guarantees, pricing, secure profits and increasing in agricultural productivity. Crop yield is affected by several parameters especially climate. In this study, the saffron yield in the Khorasan-Razavi ...
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Yield prediction for agricultural crops plays an important role in export-import planning, purchase guarantees, pricing, secure profits and increasing in agricultural productivity. Crop yield is affected by several parameters especially climate. In this study, the saffron yield in the Khorasan-Razavi province was evaluated by different classification algorithms including artificial neural networks, regression models, local linear trees, decision trees, discriminant analysis, random forest, support vector machine and nearest neighbor analysis. These algorithms analyzed data for 20 years (1989-2009) including 11 climatological parameters. The results showed that a few numbers of climatological parameters affect the saffron yield. The minimum, mean and maximum of temperature, had the highest positive correlations and the relative humidity of 6.5h, sunny hours, relative humidity of 18.5h, evaporation, relative humidity of 12.5h and absolute humidity had the highest negative correlations with saffron cultivation areas, respectively. In addition, in classification of saffron cultivation areas, the discriminant analysis and support vector machine had higher accuracies. The correlation between saffron cultivation area and saffron yield values was relatively high (r=0.38). The nearest neighbor analysis had the best prediction accuracy for classification of cultivation areas. For this algorithm the coefficients of determination were 1 and 0.944 for training and testing stages, respectively. However, the algorithms accuracy for prediction of crop yield from climatological parameters was low (the average coefficients of determination equal to 0.48 and 0.05 for training and testing stages). The best algorithm i.e. nearest neighbor analysis had coefficients of determination equal to 1 and 0.177 for saffron yield prediction. Results showed that, using climatological parameters and data mining algorithms can classify cultivation areas. By this way it is possible to identify areas that have similar climate to prone areas and recognize suitable areas for cultivation.
Agriculture
Elnaz Ghaffarzadeh; Noraddin Hosseinpour Azad; Ali Shahi; Olivia De Murtas
Abstract
Saffron with the scientific name (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. This plant stigma is one of the most expensive spices in the world due to its rich apocarotenoids contents crocin (responsible for color), picrocrocin (bitter taste), and safranal (perfume). For quantitative analysis ...
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Saffron with the scientific name (Crocus sativus L.) belongs to the Iridaceae family. This plant stigma is one of the most expensive spices in the world due to its rich apocarotenoids contents crocin (responsible for color), picrocrocin (bitter taste), and safranal (perfume). For quantitative analysis of these metabolites by Spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC UV-Vis) in Saffron stigma biphasic extract, in purpose the aim of introducing a suitable chemotype of this plant for cultivation in Ardabil province, this study was conducted in an experimental design of randomized complete blocks with three different replications. the data analysis of variance with GenStat ver. 12.1 showed that there were significant differences (P <0.01) between the studied areas based on the apocartenoids content, and the mean comparisons with the protected Fisher test showed that among the studied areas the chemotype of Onar village in Meshginshahr city Following the quantitative pattern of apocarotenoids, has a relative dominance in comparison with other regions, and on average, the amounts of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal in the sample volume range are 0.15±0.1, 4.9±0.11 and 1±0.2 of dry matter was measured respectively. According to the obtained data, According to the obtained data, it can be inferred that this region of Ardabil province compared to other regions of this province has the necessary potential to produce this product with high quality.
