Saffron Agronomy and Technology

In collaboration Iranian Medicinal Plants Society

Current Issue

By Issue

By Author

By Subject

Author Index

Keyword Index

About Journal

Aims and Scope

Editorial Board

Publication Ethics

Indexing and Abstracting

Related Links

FAQ

Peer Review Process

Journal Metrics

News

Journal Forms

Guide for Authors

Principles of standardization for organic saffron production in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistance Professor, Department on Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran

2 Professor, Saffron Research Group, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran

3 Professor, Department on Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department on Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Many activities during production, processing, trade and consumption of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Iran, are based on indigenous knowledge. Most share of saffron production in the country is obtained from small fields with family cooperation and using local environmental friendly inputs and technologies. Accordingly, a cosidarable part of saffron produced in Iran is close to the principles of organic farming, but in terms of rules and standards related to this production system, it is considered only as a quasi-organic product. Organic farming is a comprehensive production system that focuses on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of agricultural product during the production cycle (from farm to fork), as well as issues such as justice, social relations, soil health and the rights of all macro and mico organisms. Based on this definition and considering the principles and methods which are used for saffron production in Iranian agroecosystems, it is possible to create a targeted procrdure for its organic production, by perparation a standard. The preparation of this standard, while increasing farmers' incomes, will lead to maintaining and increasing Iran's share of the global market of this valuable medicinal plant. In this article, for all stages of saffron production cycle, using the results of scientific researches on saffron, as well as international, regional and national standards related to organic production, a set of general principles, suggestions (recommendations), requirements and notes are provided. The recommendations are mainly suitable for increasing the quantitative yield, while higher quality of saffron can be achieved by observing the proposed requirements. The guidelines proposed in this paper, besides improving the quantity and quality of the product, will also ensure the other objectives and rules related to organic farming. In the current proposed program, issues related to agronomy (corm production and selection, land selection and preparation, planting, soil nutrition, irrigation, control of biotic stresses, etc.), breeding, harvesting and post-harvest (flowers carrying and storage; separation, drying, grading, packing, labeling and storage of stigma) as well as processing and legal issues have been considered.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References
ACOS. 2013. Australian Certified Organic Standard. 116 p.
ACO. 2019. Australian Certified Organic, Standard 2019. Version 1. 101 p.
Azarpajooh, E., and Sharayeei, P. 2018. Saffron flower storage conditions in the refrigerator. Saffron Extended Journal 1 (1): 34-40. (In Persian).
Behdani, M.A. 2011. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In: Future Crops (Eds: K.V. Peter). Daya Publishing House. New Delhi, India. 286p.
Behdani, M.A., Jami Al-Ahmadi, M., Mahdavi-Damghani, A.M., and Fallahi, H.R. 2015a. Standardization and codification of technical knowledge of Iranian organic saffron. Research Project of Headquarters for the Development of Science and Technology of Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Tehran, Iran. (In Persian).
Behdani, M.A., Sayyari-Zahan, M.H., Alahrasani, A., and Nakhaei, A.R. 2015b. The comparison of microelements (Mn, Fe and Zn) and heavy metals (Co, Cr and Cd) in the soil of perennial farms of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in southern Khorasan Province. Journal of Agroecology 6 (4): 891-904. (In Persian with English Summary).
Behdani, M.A., and Fallahi, H.R. 2015. Saffron: Technical Knowledge Base on Research Approaches. University of Birjand Press. 412 p. (In Persian).
Behdani, M.A., Fallahi, H.R., and Sardar, M. 2018. Technical Knowledge of Saffron Production. HafrRang Press. 58 p. (In Persian).
Ceccarelli, S. 2014. GM crops, organic agriculture and breeding for sustainability. Sustainability 6: 4273-4286
Codex. 2013a. Guidelines for the production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced foods. Adopted in 1999. Revision year: 2007. 36 p.
Codex. 2013b. Code of hygienic practice for fresh fruits and vegetables. Adopted in 2003. 48 p.
Codex. 2014. Code of hygienic practice for spices and dried aromatic herbs. Adopted yerar: 1995. 16 p.
Doyran, S., El-Hage, N., Hoffmann, U., Leu, A., Twarog, S., and Kung Wai, O. 2012. Asian regional organic standard (AROS). Published by IFOAM, FAO and UNCTAD. 44 p.
Ein-Afshar, S. 2018. Production of natural colour and antioxidant from by-products of saffron flowers. Saffron Extended Journal 1 (1): 25-33. (In Persian).
Fallahi, H.R., Alami, S., Behdani, M.A., and Aghhavani-Shajari, M. 2016. Evaluation of local and scientific knowledge in saffron agronomy (Case study: Sarayan). Journal of Saffron Research 3 (1): 31-50. (In Persian with English Summary).
Ghorbani, R., and Koocheki, A. 2007. Organic saffron in Iran: prospects and challenges. Acta Horticulturae 739: 369-374.
Ghorbani, R., Koocheki, A., Jahan, M., Nassiri Mahallati, M., and Rezvani-Moghadam, P. 2009a. National organic standards for Iran: I. Concepts, principles and aims of organic production and standards for agronomic and horticultural products. Journal of Agroecology 1 (1): 129-142. (In Persian with English Summary).
Ghorbani, R., Koocheki, A., Jahan, M., Nassiri Mahallati, M., and Rezvani-Moghadam, P. 2009b. National organic standards for Iran: II. Concepts and principles of standards for organic animal products and food processing. Journal of Agroecology 1 (2): 117-128. (In Persian with English Summary).
Gresta, F., Lombardo, G.M., Siracusa, L., and Ruberto, G. 2008. Saffron, an alternative crop for sustainable agricultural systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 28: 95-112.
Huber, B., Schmid, O., and Mannigel, C. 2015. Standards and regulations. In: The World of Organic Agriculture, Statistics and Emerging Trends 2015. pp. 125-133.
IFOAM. 2014. The IFOAM NORMS for organic production and processing. Ifoam Publishing, Germany. 134 p.
INSO. 2000a. Saffron- Code of practice packinkg equipments and installation. Iranian National Standard NO. 5097. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. (In Persian).
INSO. 2000b. Saffron-Harvest and applying process befoe packing. Iranian National Standard NO. 5230. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. (In Persian).
INSO. 2004. Saffron- packaging- aluminium foil based flexible sachets- specifications and test methods. Iranian National Standard NO. 7345. 1st Revision, Theran, Iran. 12 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2007a. Organic agriculture - vocabulary. Iranian National Standard NO. 9499. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. 60 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2007b. Saffron- HACCP system from harvest to packaging -guidline. Iranian National Standard NO. 7672. 1st Revision, Theran, Iran. 27 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2008. Organic products wild plant- Plant collection guideline. Iranian National Standard NO. 11694. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. 40 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2011. Herbal tea-fragrant herbal based saffron-specifications and test methods. Iranian National Standard NO. 13966. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. 10 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2012. Saffron-specifications. Iranian National Standard NO. 259-1. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. 37 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2013a. Saffron-test methods. Iranian National Standard NO. 259-2. 5th Revison, Theran, Iran. 80 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2013b. Iran good agricultural practices (IRAN GAP)- Saferan. Iranian National Standard NO. 16536. 1st Edition, Theran, Iran. 37 p. (In Persian).
INSO. 2014. Requirement of production, processing, inspection and certification, labeling and marketing of organic food. Iranian National Standard NO. 11000. 1st Revision, Theran, Iran. 79 p. (In Persian).
ISO. 2011a. Spices- saffron (Crocus sativus L.). Part 1: Specification. International Standard NO. 3632-1.
ISO. 2011b. Spices- saffron (Crocus sativus L.)- Part 2: Test methods. International Standard NO. 3632-2. Geneva, Switzerland.
Korramdel, S. 2018. A look at the challenges of organic saffron production in Iran. Third National Conference on Organic Implantation and Proliferation Medicinal Plants. 10-11 July 2018, Urmia, Iran. pp. 507-512. (In Persian).
Kiedal, P.R., Mahmuodi, H., and Mahdavi Damghani, A.B. 2012. Organic Food and Farming in Iran. In: The World of Organic Agriculture - Statistics and Emerging Trends 2012 (Eds: Helga, W., and Lukas K.). Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Bonn.
Koocheki, A., and Ghorbani, R. 2005. Traditional agriculture in Iran and development challenges for organic agriculture. International Journal of Biodiversity Sicence and Management 11: 1-7.
Koocheki, A. 2013. Research on production of saffron in Iran: Past trend and future prospects. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 1 (1): 3-21. (In Persian with English Summary).
Koocheki, A., and Khajeh-Hosseini, M. 2020. Saffron: Science, Technology and Health. Woodhead Publishing. 1st Edition. 580 p.
Mollafilabi, A. 2014. Effect of new cropping technologies on growth characteristics, yield, yield components of flower and corm criteria of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), PhD. Dissertation, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (In Persian with English Summary).
Nassiri- Khorasani, N. 2011. Water quality assessment in saffron agro-ecosystems. M.Sc. Dissertation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand. (In Persian with English Summary).
NSC (National Standard of Canada). 2011. Organic production systems general principles and management standards. Published September 2006 by the Canadian General Standards Board. Amended at June 2011. 48 p.
Papzan, A., and Shiri, N. 2012. Study of barriers toward development of organic farming. Economy 1 (1): 113-126. (In Persian with English Summary).
Rahimi, H. 2018. Practical advice to reduce damage of Rhizoglyphus robini in saffron fields. Saffron Extended Journal 1 (1): 10-15. (In Persian).
Raina, B.L., Agarwal, S.G., Bhatia, A.K., and Gaur, G.S. 1996. Changes in pigments and volatiles of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) during processing and storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 71: 27-32.
Rundgren, G. 2007. Building Trusts in Organic. Published by IFOAM. Germany.
Sharayeei, P., and Azarpajooh, E. 2018. Technical tips for harvesting and processing of saffron in order to reduce microbial contamination and maintain quality. Saffron Extended Journal 1 (1): 16-24. (In Persian).
Shoormij, M., Einafshar, S., Niazmand, R., and Sharayei, P. 2012. The effect of storage temperature and packaging material on the quantity, quality and microbial properties of modified atmosphere packaging of saffron flower. Research and Innovation in Food Science and Technology 1 (4): 283-294. (In Persian with English Summary).
Wachter, J.M., and Reganold, J.R. 2014. Organic Agricultural Production: Plants. Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems 4: 265-286.
WHO. 2003. WHO guidelines on good agricultural and collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants. Geneva. 80p.
Willer, H., and Lernoud, J. 2020. The world of organic agriculture, statistics and emerging trends 2019. FiBL & IFOAM- Organic International. pp. 32-118.
Yadav, S.K., Babu, S., Yadav, M.K., Singh, K., Yadav, G.S., and Pal, S. 2013. A review of organic farming for sustainable agriculture in northern India. International Journal of Agronomy 13: 1-8.
Yaghoubi, F., Jami Al-Ahmadi, M., Bakhshi, M.R., and Sayyari Zohan, M.H. 2014. Comparison of chemical inputs consumption in saffron and wheat fields in Qaenat region. Saffron Agronomy and Technology 2 (2): 115-125. (In Persian with English Summary). 
Saffron Agronomy and Technology
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 31
April 2021
Pages 43-79
Files
Share
How to cite
Statistics