Economics and Marketing
Hossein Mohammadzadeh; Alireza Karbasi
Abstract
Oil revenues play a major role in Iran's economy. In recent years, an average of about 60% of government revenues and 80% of Iran's export income have been from oil and gas. On the other hand, Iran as largest exporter of saffron has a significant part of the value of global exports of the product. Considering ...
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Oil revenues play a major role in Iran's economy. In recent years, an average of about 60% of government revenues and 80% of Iran's export income have been from oil and gas. On the other hand, Iran as largest exporter of saffron has a significant part of the value of global exports of the product. Considering that oil revenues over the past years has been Iran's main source of income, it seems essential to investigate the shock impact of oil revenues on the export of the product. The present study examined the effect of shock of oil revenues on the export of saffron in Iran. In this regard, the data time series for 1974- 2016 and Johansen Juselius and error correction model for Long-term and short-term relationships between the variables model were used. The results show that the real effective exchange rates in the long-term and short-term have a significant positive effect on the export of saffron in the country. Although index of ratio of domestic to world prices of saffron and saffron productivity were not statistically significant, their effect has positive and negative sign, respectively. Shock of oil revenues in the short term and the long term have a negative effect on the export of saffron as expected.
Economics and Marketing
Fatemeh Rastegaripour; Alireza Karbasi; Mohammad Ghorbani; fatemeh Rastegaripur
Abstract
Saffron is considered as an important crop for farmers of the Khorasan Razavi province due to the ability to create high employment and generate appropriate income. Problems of saffron producers in marketing and export has caused this product not to be in a good position in the world market despite its ...
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Saffron is considered as an important crop for farmers of the Khorasan Razavi province due to the ability to create high employment and generate appropriate income. Problems of saffron producers in marketing and export has caused this product not to be in a good position in the world market despite its high quality. Therefore, the study of marketing mix as one of the most important factors affecting marketing of saffron in the region seems to be necessary. In order to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of marketing mix of saffron, a strategic factor analysis approach was used in this study. The required information was collected through face-to-face interviews and completing a questionnaire with managers and experts of saffron producing and exporting companies in Mashhad and Torbat Heydarieh cities in 2015. To investigate the validity of the questionnaire, the questionnaires were reviewed by supervisors and consultants and several experts. At first, some initial questions were completed and using the Cronbach's alpha method, the reliability coefficient was 0.79. The results of the internal factor matrix showed that the weaknesses overcome the strength and, according to the results of external factors matrix, the points of opportunity are superior to the threat. The results of the study showed that the increase in the value added due to saffron processing with a score of 0.57 and export value with a score of 0.54 are the most important strength and low purchase price of farmers with a score of 0.13 and a lack of knowledge of the price of competitors with a score of 0.11 are the most important weaknesses in marketing mix price. Also, the export of the product with different qualities based on the financial ability of target customers with a score of 0.32 and price determination based on the competitive and economic environment with 0.23 are most significant opportunities, and the volatility of the exchange rate with a score of 0.4 and a price fluctuation in the export market with a score of 0.36 are the most important current threats of saffron marketing. The general results obtained from the status analysis matrix indicate that the saffron processing factor strategies are defensive. Therefore, according to the results, the strategies of establishing a regional exchange market for saffron and long-term control of prices in export markets with the aim of paying attention to pricing and fair purchase are suggested.
Economics and Marketing
Esmaeil Fallahi; Fatemeh Mazraeh
Abstract
In order to get rid of single-product economy, trade of agricultural products is emphasized by the government. As Iran is the biggest producer and exporter of this strategic product in the world, the analysis of factors affecting export of Iran's saffron, can result in better policy making. Accordingly, ...
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In order to get rid of single-product economy, trade of agricultural products is emphasized by the government. As Iran is the biggest producer and exporter of this strategic product in the world, the analysis of factors affecting export of Iran's saffron, can result in better policy making. Accordingly, this study is aim to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of exchange rate volatility beside the other factors affecting the export of this product using panel data for Iran's major trading partners during 1992-2014. For this purpose and to avoid the limitation of symmetric approaches to calculate instability indices, the exchange rate volatility index was firstly calculated by using asymmetric method of Exponential Generalized Auto-Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGHARCH). Then, this index was used along with other variables to estimate of proposed model using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method. The results showed that although countries income and real exchange rate have positive and significant effects on saffron export, exchange rate volatility has a negative and significant effect on export of this product. Therefore, if the government’s goal is to support the export of this product, it is vital to achieve stability in exchange rate market. Moreover, the results of estimating error correction model indicate that the speed of disequilibrium adjustment towards long-run equilibrium relationships is substantial. Therefore, policy-making would be hopeful in the short-term.
Economics and Marketing
Alireza Sargazi; Mahdiyeh Ghavidel
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is the impact of uncontrolled quality factors on the efficiency of saffron farms in the Qaen County. In this paper, we tried to study the impact of uncontrolled quality factors on the efficiency of saffron farms considering the importance of saffron in Qaen County. Information ...
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The purpose of this paper is the impact of uncontrolled quality factors on the efficiency of saffron farms in the Qaen County. In this paper, we tried to study the impact of uncontrolled quality factors on the efficiency of saffron farms considering the importance of saffron in Qaen County. Information and data is collected through completion of 173 questionnaires in years 2015-16. The results of the research show that the efficiency of the scale with the value of 0.82 represents the highest mean. Also, the technical efficiency with constant and constant returns to the scale of 0.62 and 0.50 showed that the sample farms in terms of technical efficiency with variable and constant efficiency versus the scale have a potential of 38% and 50% in the amount of inputs and can reduce the inputs used without decreasing the production of the product. Also, the performance values of the Bunker and Murray models (the model without considering the qualitative factors) did not show any difference compared with the new model (considering qualitative factors). Therefore, it seems that the role of activity scale does not appear only in the concepts of scale efficiency and type of return to scale, but it also has a relationship with technical efficiency. Thereby, doing complementary studies will focus on the activities of the scale.
Other subject about saffron
morteza esmailnejad
Abstract
Climate change has serious impacts on communities and livelihoods in dry areas. The agricultural sector accepts the greatest impact from climate change due to its extensive interactions with the environment. Environmental degradation and reduced yield of saffron and weakening of the household economy ...
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Climate change has serious impacts on communities and livelihoods in dry areas. The agricultural sector accepts the greatest impact from climate change due to its extensive interactions with the environment. Environmental degradation and reduced yield of saffron and weakening of the household economy are among the consequences of climate change in the Kashmar plain. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the perception of saffron in the Kashmar plain from climate change and its capacity to adapt to this phenomenon. The present study was conducted to examine the perceptions and adaptation of saffron to climate change in order to expand the strategies for confronting the climate change challenges in the Kashmar plain. The method of this study is descriptive-analytic. The population of the study was calculated using Cochran's sampling method and a sample size of 390 households was chosen. Statistical models such as logistic regression were used to examine saffron perception and compatibility strategies. The analysis of saffron perceptions of climate change shows that the increase in temperature and the decrease in rainfall during the last decade in the Kashmar plain has been ongoing. The results of the logistic statistical model indicated that product diversity, change in crops, finding a job outside the farm, changing the amount of land, changing the planting date of saffron were adaptation methods used in the region. Given that many saffron growers have come to understand climate change and adjust their farming activities based on these changes, the government should facilitate the adaptation of saffron to climate change.
Economics and Marketing
mohammad reza kohansal; Amirhossein Tohidi
Abstract
In terms of quality and quantity, Iranian saffron has a considerable position at the international level and by taking advantage of the existing capacity; we can significantly increase the export earnings from it. On the other hand, sales forecasting based on time series analysis is s a very important ...
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In terms of quality and quantity, Iranian saffron has a considerable position at the international level and by taking advantage of the existing capacity; we can significantly increase the export earnings from it. On the other hand, sales forecasting based on time series analysis is s a very important element for the designing and implementing of marketing strategies in the international arena. However, the conventional approaches to forecasting, by ignoring the linear (or nonlinear) structure of data, do not provide accurate results. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to design a hybrid model consisting of two methods, artificial neural networks (ANN) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), in order to overcome the deficiencies and the use of the unique features of the each of these methods. Using the data related to the export of Iranian saffron during the period 1904-2013, the results of the study showed that the ARIMA–ANN hybrid model is stronger and better performance than ARIMA and ANN individual models in order to forecasting of Iranian saffron export. Therefore, given the considerable performance ARIMA–ANN hybrid model, the use of this model is recommended in setting strategies related to the export and also in the forecasting of the forecasting of time series variables.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Seid Meghdad Hashemi; Seid Mohamad Maassoumi; Hamid Reza Gasempour
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the world that also has many pharmaceutical applications. Genus Crocus L. (Saffron) with about 90 species of the Iridaceae family in the northern hemisphere, especially in West Asia and Iran are scattered. The present study was to investigate the ...
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Saffron is one of the most important economic plants in the world that also has many pharmaceutical applications. Genus Crocus L. (Saffron) with about 90 species of the Iridaceae family in the northern hemisphere, especially in West Asia and Iran are scattered. The present study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of extracts of various parts such as cover of corm, corm, perianth and stigma of the variety of saffron (C. sativus var. Haussknechtii) on some pathogenic microorganisms (Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus) extrusion. Plant specimens were collected from four different habitats of Kermanshah province and then were identified in the herbarium of Razi University. After preparing raw plant extract four different parts of the plants (cover of corm, corm, perianth, stigma) by soaking (maceration) were extracted. Microbial tests using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the broth micro-dilution method were determined. The results of analysis by statistical tests showed a significant correlation (001/0 <p) the increase in the concentration of alcoholic extracts there perianth saffron and inhibition zone diameter. Thus, Perianth methanol extract in Enterococcus (0/128) g ml, Salmonella and Staphylococcus (0/512) g ml has inhibitory effects against bacteria. Based on the findings of non-alcoholic extracts of different parts of a flower in this plant did not show antimicrobial properties. Thus perianth these wild saffron may be a good candidate for laboratory tests and isolation of active ingredients to achieve antimicrobial drugs, it is recommended.
Agriculture
Saeid Heidari; Khosrow Azizi; Ahmad Ismaili
Abstract
In order to study the effect of bio-fertilizers, planting method and superabsorbent polymer on quantitative yield of saffron under rainfed condition, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad, ...
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In order to study the effect of bio-fertilizers, planting method and superabsorbent polymer on quantitative yield of saffron under rainfed condition, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad, Iran during 2015-2016 growing seasons. In this study, Nitroxin bio-fertilizer (consumption 5 Lit/ha and non-consumption), Stockosorb superabsorbent polymer (consumption 240 kg/ha and non-consumption) and planting method (streaking and cluster) was tested. Results showed that triple interactions was significant for number of corm/m2 in first and second year and combined treatment including non-Nitroxin in cluster culture method using superabsorbent with 80.67 corm/m2 for first year and with 183.67 corm/m2 for second year was the superior treatment. Results showed significant differences for number of produced flowers and for fresh and dry weight of stigma in both years; and in the first year, treatment included cluster method cultivation, consumption of superabsorbent and no consumption of Nitroxin was superior; while in the second year, superior treatment was use of superabsorbent, Nitroxin and cluster method. For stigma dry weight of saffron, triple interactions was significant and in the first year, cluster method and consumption of superabsorbent and no usage of Nitroxin was superior (with 0.6 kg/ha), and in the second year, use of Nitroxin and superabsorbent and cluster method was superior (with 0.719 kg/ha). In general, results of the present study in dry-farming conditions over the two years, cluster method cultivation with usage of superabsorbent and Nitroxin could be recommended. Reasons of this recommendation and introduction of the mentioned method are dry climate conditions in area of study and reduction in consumption of chemical fertilizers for development of sustainable agriculture.
Economics and Marketing
Arash Dourandish; Milad Aminizadeh; Andisheh Riahi; Elham Mehrparvar Hosseini
Abstract
Saffron is one of Iran’s exports of agricultural products that it could not keep and strengthen its position in the world market at recent years. Two events such as European Union trade sanctions against Iran (2006-2014) and global economic crisis (2007-2009) have directly and indirectly impacts ...
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Saffron is one of Iran’s exports of agricultural products that it could not keep and strengthen its position in the world market at recent years. Two events such as European Union trade sanctions against Iran (2006-2014) and global economic crisis (2007-2009) have directly and indirectly impacts on Iran’s economy and trade flows, respectively. According to process uncertainty about the abolition or continuation of the European Union trade sanctions and the possibility of a new global economic crisis, the aim of this paper is assessing the role of these two factors on Iran’s saffron exports. For this purpose, saffron exports to trading partners were analyzed by using gravity model and poisson pseudo maximum likelihood estimator in 2001-2014 periods. Based on the results, economic size, importer’s income and regional trade agreement have positive effect and distance and difference in GDP per capita have negative and significant impacts on saffron exports. The Results indicated that EU trade sanctions and global economic crisis have significantly negative effects on Iran’s saffron exports. In other words, due to Iran’s trading partners, global economic crisis have important role in saffron exports. Therefore, it is suggested that role of trade sanctions and economic crisis and their importance be considered to adopt long run strategic plan in order to strengthen Iran’s position in saffron world market and optimal basket of trading partners to be selected.
Economics and Marketing
Elnaz Nejatianpour; mohammad ghodoosi; javad hasanpour
Abstract
Agriculture is a unique sector because of its dependence on the climate and biological variables. Therefore, in agriculture it is vital to identify and evaluate risks to be sure that decisions made on the farm will bring positive results. Torbat-e-Heydarieh is the most important center in saffron cultivation ...
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Agriculture is a unique sector because of its dependence on the climate and biological variables. Therefore, in agriculture it is vital to identify and evaluate risks to be sure that decisions made on the farm will bring positive results. Torbat-e-Heydarieh is the most important center in saffron cultivation and production in Khorasan Razavi province and Iran. This city is famous for its Saffron lands. It has the first rank in the world for producing Saffron . So, in this paper, we employed risk profile analysis to saffron risk management. By using previous literatures, all of the risks of agricultural sector are identified and classified in nine categories. The information was collected from the university elite and Saffron union members. To design the risk profile, we used data from 67 saffron producers of Torbat Heydariyeh in 1395. For evaluating of losses related to each risk component, two indexes of frequency and severity of risk were calculated and based on that risk matrix were created. Results showed that the greatest area of risk is included all of the risk of pests, diseases and weeds (Different types of weeds, Micro pests (Fungi and bacteria), Macro pests( Mice, ant, insect, Grazing livestock)), economic risk (Brokers, market fluctuations, lack of liquidity of farmers), Climate risk (drought, frost and freeze) and damage risk (Reduce yield due to farm life).
Biotechnology and genetics
Khadijeh Bagheri; Pejman Azadi; Mitra Gholami; Massoud Mir Masoumi
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the world's most expensive spice. Moreover, it is important since it contains various drug metabolites. Saffron is a triploid (2n=3X=24) and sterile plant and it does not have any viable seeds. Because of the sterility, classical breeding of this plant is limited. Developing ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is the world's most expensive spice. Moreover, it is important since it contains various drug metabolites. Saffron is a triploid (2n=3X=24) and sterile plant and it does not have any viable seeds. Because of the sterility, classical breeding of this plant is limited. Developing an efficient callus induction protocol is studied for two reasons, i.e. molecular breeding and the production of secondary metabolites. In order to provide a suitable callus induction protocol, establishment of corms was considered. Five different treatments were applied to sterilization of corms. Thin cell layer explants with approximately 1 mm thickness and typical explants with approximately 1 cm thickness were prepared from sterilized corms. For callus induction, different explants were planted in MS medium containing different concentration of 2, 4-D, BAP and NAA. Then, they were incubated in dark conditions at 20 ±20C for 3 months. The results showed that the use of Benomyl fungicide, followed by surface sterilization using sodium hypochlorite (2.5 %) was the best sterilization treatment. The highest survival rates of explants (90%) were observed in this treatment and all explants were free of contamination. The highest amount of callus induction (75%) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2mg/l NAA and 0/5 mg/l BAP from thin cell layer of basal corm. The same result was observed with 1mg/l 2, 4-D from typical explants of basal corm. The results obtained from this study show that the thin cell layer explants are suitable explants because of the high amount of callus formation and the advantages for gene transfer studies. The results showed that the use of Benomyl fungicide, followed by surface sterilization using sodium hypochlorite (2.5 %) was the best sterilization treatment. The highest survival rates of explants (90%) was observed in this treatment and all explants were free of contamination. The highest amount of callus induction (75%) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 2mg/l NAA and 0/5 mg/l BAP from thin cell layer of basal corm. The same result was observed with 1mg/l 2,4-D from typical explants of basal corm. Our results showed that the thin cell layer explants are suitable explant because of high amount of callus formation and advantages for gene transfer studies.
Agriculture
mahsa aghhavani shajari; Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Reza Ghorbani; Alireza Koocheki
Abstract
This experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of cover crops on weeds population, flower and corm yield of saffron. The experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, ...
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This experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of cover crops on weeds population, flower and corm yield of saffron. The experiment was carried out based on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2013-14. The treatments included six cover crops: barely (Hordeum vulgare), persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum), fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum – Graecum L.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), rapeseed (Brassica napus) and arugula (Eruca sativa) and control. The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of cover crops was significant on all of the studied properties. The maximum flower number (23.m-2), flower fresh weight (61.88 kg.ha-1) and stigma dry weight (0.990 kg.ha-1) were observed in the planting of rapeseed. The stigma dry weight at the control treatment was 41% more than planting a different kind of cover crops. Furthermore, the highest total weight of replacement corms and replacement corms weight without tunic per clone were obtained at the control and then planting of rapeseed as a cover crop. The number of replacement corms per clone among cover crop treatments was about 17% more than that of control. However, the lowest amount of all parameters of flower and corm of saffron were obtained for arugula, Fabaceae species and barely cover crop treatments. Meanwhile, the minimum amount of weed density was observed for barely, arugula, Fabaceae species cover crops treatments and control. Therefore, the results indicated that control and rapeseed as a cover crop treatments had better effects on the flower and corm parameters of saffron.
Other subject about saffron
hossein sahabi; Mohsen Jahan; Alireza Kochaki; Mahdi Nasiri
Abstract
The corm size, nutrient management and corm type are the most important factors that may affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to study the effect of mother corm size and nutrient foliar application on flower and corm yield of Spanish and Iranian ...
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The corm size, nutrient management and corm type are the most important factors that may affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.). In order to study the effect of mother corm size and nutrient foliar application on flower and corm yield of Spanish and Iranian Saffron landrace, an experiment was conducted with factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications during two growing seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15) at the Faculty of Agriculture of the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran .The saffron corm type was considered in two levels (Iranian corm and Spanish corm), mother corm size were in three levels (1- 8g, 8.1- 15g, 15.1- 23g) and nutrient foliar application were in two levels (control and sprayed leaves with 7% micro and macro nutrients). The results showed that the effect of different mother corm size, corm type and nutrient foliar application on the number of flowers, flower fresh and dry weight (stigma + style) were significant. The highest number of flowers (48.6 flower.m-2), flower fresh weight (24.3 g.m-2) and saffron (stigma + style) dry weight (0.25 g.m-2) were obtained in 15.1-23g mother corm size, and the lowest were obtained in 8g > mother corms. In contrast, nutrient foliar application had not significant effect on total produced daughter corms. However, the highest number of flowers (43.7 flower.m-2), flower fresh weight (21.8 g.m-2) and stigmas dry weight (0.23 g.m-2) were obtained from Iranian corms in the second year. Hence, the use of appropriate weight for planting Iranian corms (over 15 g) with nutrient of foliar application can be useful for increasing the performance of the flowers and saffron corms.
Economics and Marketing
somayeh shirzadi laskookalayeh; mahmoud sabuhi sabuni; Ahmad Ali Keikha; Kamran Davari
Abstract
The reduction in water resources, increased occurrence of droughts and heavy damages to the country make the more efficient use of this resource very important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of various policies of reduction of water consumption and the effect of any increase in the ...
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The reduction in water resources, increased occurrence of droughts and heavy damages to the country make the more efficient use of this resource very important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of various policies of reduction of water consumption and the effect of any increase in the price of each cubic meter of water on saffron cultivation pattern. The data for the research was obtained by interviews done with 100 farmers in agricultural areas of the Rokh and Naishabur plain in 2012. The sample farms were selected using random sampling, the study was conducted and the models were calculated for both areas. The results of positive mathematical programming model showed that by 20 percent savings in water consumption in the Rokh Plain and 30% in the Naishabur plain, we can achieve cultivating a pattern similar to those which have achieved the previous values at the farm level for saffron. Also, by reducing the amount of water, the economic value of water increased. Doubling the price per cubic meter of water used in crop cultivation and water consumption does not lead to lower profit. Therefore, it is recommended to save water resources. In addition, precise time detection irrigation and the right to saffron can have negative effects when excessive irrigation is done and reduce the performance of this product. Effective and optimal water management policies to reduce the amount of available water is also planned to be presented to the policy makers.
Biotechnology and genetics
faezeh gharari
Abstract
Saffron is grown for using its flower and red color stigma. This plant has many uses in the food industry, paints and medicine. Due to its high monetary worth, identification of genes involved in the flowering is very important. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the onset ...
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Saffron is grown for using its flower and red color stigma. This plant has many uses in the food industry, paints and medicine. Due to its high monetary worth, identification of genes involved in the flowering is very important. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of flowering, Gene and gene expression of Pistillata-Like MADS box (PIC2) were studied. The Gene sequences have high homology with other family members of the MADS-box family (one of the transcription factors control the expression of proteins flowers). In this research, the gene was studied using bioinformatics resources. Primers were designed for amplification of the gene and then the total DNA and RNA were extracted from the leaves of saffron. cDNA synthesis was performed by the reverse transcriptase enzyme and it was used as a template for amplification of PIC2 gene by PCR reaction. The reaction was amplified to a fragment with length 900 bp from cDNA and another fragment with length 2100 bp from genomic DNA. This gene encodes a protein that includes 210 amino acids. By analyzing the molecular structure of protein transcripts based on modeling of the gene homology, the spatial figure showed that they have a regular structure.
Biotechnology and genetics
Majid Shokrpour; Zeinab Abedi; Siamak Kalantari; Seyed Alireza Salami
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most valuable medicinal and spice herbs in the world. In spite of the ancient cultivation history in Iran, there are limited breeding studies on the plant due to its vegetative reproduction. In order to evaluation genetic diversity of Iranian saffron germplasm, ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most valuable medicinal and spice herbs in the world. In spite of the ancient cultivation history in Iran, there are limited breeding studies on the plant due to its vegetative reproduction. In order to evaluation genetic diversity of Iranian saffron germplasm, sixty-five different saffron accessions from the main cultivation areas in Khorasan including Torbat heidarieh, Gonabad, Mahvelat, Ghaenat and Ferdows were collected and were studied by molecular markers. The used RAPD and ISSR primers produced 43 and 122 polymorphic markers loci, respectively, and totally 165 markers with average of 7.5 markers by each primer, totally. Diversity index ranged from 0.36 to 0.7 with average of 0.23. Also, marker index with the average of 0.16 varied in the range of 0.2 to 0.7. The accessions from Ghaenat and Mahvelat had the maximum (83.03%) and the minimum (52.73%) polymorphism, respectively. Grouping the studied saffron accessions using cluster analysis displayed four distinct groups which had little correspondence to their collection areas, while clustering for the main cultivation areas had relatively good correspondence to their geographical distances. So, it is expected to have nearly approaching improvements of qualitative and quantitative yields via the selection of superior clones of saffron. Key words: Saffron, Molecular variation, Germplasm, RAPD, ISSR, Khorasan region, clustering .
Biotechnology and genetics
Fereshteh Babaee; Zahra Tahmasebi; Hasan Feyzi; Arash Fazeli
Abstract
Iran is one of the important distribution centers of medicinal species, including plant saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The presence or absence of genetic diversity in common native and commercial cultivars of saffron of the country has always been one of the important questions for researchers of this ...
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Iran is one of the important distribution centers of medicinal species, including plant saffron (Crocus sativus L.). The presence or absence of genetic diversity in common native and commercial cultivars of saffron of the country has always been one of the important questions for researchers of this filed. In the present study, varioussaffronsamplesfrom different regions of Iran, including seventeen cultivated samplesfrom North Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, Lorestan and Ilam, eight wild types (C. haussknechtii) from Lorestan, Kermanshah and Ilam and one wild type (C. cancellatuse) from Kermanshah were collected and then their genetic diversity was obtained using random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) marker. A total number of 161 DNA bands were produced by eight primers with an average of 14.3 bands; the primer Oligo 340 produced the most number of bands. The polymorphism percentage mean was 73.77%. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method divided the samplesinto four groups. In this grouping, there was a minimum distance between saffron populations collected from Kermanshah and Ilam. In other words, these two populations had the maximum genetic similarity with each other. The maximum similarity was observed between the samplescollected from Saleh-Abad and Lomar in Ilam and the minimum similarity was observed between ecotypes collected from Bisotoon in Kermanshah and Torbat-jam in the Khorasan Razavi province. In most cases, samples of different species were divided into different groups such that it can be said that this Genus has a great diversity. Although there are some samples of wild species (C. haussknechtii) that were with saffron crop species in a group in which there exists many molecular Genetics similarities between these species that is indicative of a common genetic background.
Processing, food industry and biochemistry
Noraddin Hosseinpour azad; Ghorban Ali Nematzadeh; Giovanni Giuliano; Gholam Ali Ranjbar; Ahad Yamchi
Abstract
The main metabolites in saffron are the Apo- carotenoids’ Crocin and Crocetin. Color intensity and quality of saffron mostly depend on the presence of Crocins that are glycosylated steric form of Crocetin by glycosyltransferase enzyme. The aim of this study is the characterization of these metabolites ...
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The main metabolites in saffron are the Apo- carotenoids’ Crocin and Crocetin. Color intensity and quality of saffron mostly depend on the presence of Crocins that are glycosylated steric form of Crocetin by glycosyltransferase enzyme. The aim of this study is the characterization of these metabolites in methanolic and chloroformic extracts of saffron stigmas during anthesis stage by LC-APCI-MS. Identification of cis and trans isomers of Crocin and Crocetin was done by three parameters such as mass spectra registered in the negative ion mode, retention time and absorption ratio related to each metabolites. The variability of these parameters made it possible to detect the Crocins isomer with regard to the attached position and the number of UDP- glucose and Gentiobiosyl molecules to Crocetin structure. Crocins was the mainly detected components as there are polar components that are classified in the carotenoeids groups and the strified form of Crocetin Glucose (β-D-Glucopyranosyl) and Gentiobiose (β-D-Glucopyranosyl-D-Glucose). Also doubly charged ions were found for trans-isomers of Crocin-4, due to the high symmetry of their molecules. Based on the data gathered, the applied chromatograph Machin in this project is accurate and it is most sensitive tools to investigate about plants’ natural components like saffron, also the used APCI-MS in negative ions mode is the most efficient method to distinguish different steric forms of Crocin based on the ion’s fragments related to united reduction of glycosyl and gentiobiosyl as well as molecular fractions.
Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam; Alireza Karbasi; Moein Tosan; Faezeh Gharari; Hassan Feizi; Toktam Mohtashami
Abstract
Khorasan province in Iran with a diverse climatic conditions has accommodated a wide range of plant communities particularly herbs, spices and medicinal plants. Among these Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), has been the most cultivated plant for thousands of years. These crop deliver unique interests ...
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Khorasan province in Iran with a diverse climatic conditions has accommodated a wide range of plant communities particularly herbs, spices and medicinal plants. Among these Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), has been the most cultivated plant for thousands of years. These crop deliver unique interests and applications. The novel use of Saffron in recent years in cancer cure have been promenaded and stimulated more investigation on this crop. Almost 94% of the total world’s Saffron production (298 t) and 95% of the total Iran’s Saffron production (280 t) originates from Khorasan province. Saffron is unique for the area where water scarcity is the most limiting factor in crop productions for the farmer. Saffron is almost cultivated and harvested and also to some extent processed by family workers and community cooperation bases. These crop is not only the most important source of income for farmers but also historically strong socio-cultural activities have been formed within the local community. Cultivation area and its surrounding environment conditions and production volume of Saffron, has made Khorasan province a unique location in the world. The sustainable management of these traditionally cultivated and used plants not only helps to conserve nationally and globally important biodiversity but also provides critical resources to sustain livelihoods.
Other subject about saffron
Hossein Mohammadzadeh; Alireza Karbasi; Maryam Kashefi
Abstract
Insurance for agricultural products can be considered to be one of the levers of agricultural development since its use can provide greater security for agricultural producers and provide more favorable conditions for attracting private investment in the agriculture sector. In this study, we used the ...
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Insurance for agricultural products can be considered to be one of the levers of agricultural development since its use can provide greater security for agricultural producers and provide more favorable conditions for attracting private investment in the agriculture sector. In this study, we used the data which was gathered in 2013 from 118 Qaeni Saffron farmers and examined the factors that affect the acceptance of Saffron insurance using Logit, Probit and Heckman two-stage Tobit. The results showed that among the estimated models, since Heckman two-stage can distinguish between the factors influencing the adoption of insurance and the factors affecting it, it is more strength paramount. The results of estimation of variables with the three models showed that farmer education, annual income, the usage of banking facilities, area under cultivation, educational services of agricultural demonstrators, insurance knowledge index and technical-crop knowledge index have a positive impact on the acceptance and insurance of saffron, and only the age variable has a negative impact on the insurance and the amount of the saffron insurance. According to the results, training courses on the benefits of crop insurance in rural areas and increasing farmers awareness of the types of insurance fund services, the insurance period and premium amount, consideration of the officials in charge of the agricultural insurance fund regarding the different income levels and development strategies to expand the use of banking facilities for farmers was suggested.
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
Mehdi Bashiri; Amir Salari
Abstract
Saffron is one of the most economical and highly valuable plant species in Iran. About 80 percent of the total export of saffron in the world originates in the Khorasan Razavi province. The demand for higher production, limitations of climatologicalresources, soil and waterhave caused the officials who ...
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Saffron is one of the most economical and highly valuable plant species in Iran. About 80 percent of the total export of saffron in the world originates in the Khorasan Razavi province. The demand for higher production, limitations of climatologicalresources, soil and waterhave caused the officials who are in charge of agriculture to seek for areas that are potential candidates for the cultivation of saffron by means of precise, rapid and analytical methods. In the present study, geostatistical interpolation methods are used for climatological-ecological zoning of agricultural lands in the Khorasan Razavi province that are suitable candidates for saffron cultivation. To this aim, climatological and ecological requirements of saffron cultivation are first determined based on available scientific references. Then the necessary data are prepared. In the present study, an effort has been made in the spatial modeling and interpolation of the areas that are potential candidates for saffron cultivation based on the yield per unit area in 8 counties of the province during the 1989-1990 to 2008-2009 crop years and the 11 climatological parameters that affect saffron growth and blossom in the mentioned period of time. Based on the results, the maximum absolute humidity has been selected as the best covariate. The modeling of crop yield and the evaluation of the models were performed using geostatistical methods in GS+ software. Finally, the prepared zoning map showed that the geostatistical methods used are suitable choices for determination and zoning of areas that are suitable candidates for the development of saffron cultivation. The results for zoning have showed that a third of the southern areas in the Khorasan Razavi province (especially in the Gonabad county) have the maximum cultivation potential from the viewpoint of climatology, and in the northern direction of the province (especially in the Quchan and Binaloud counties) the value of land decreases considering its potential suitability for saffron cultivation.
Economics and Marketing
Khadijeh Bouzarjmehri; Fahimeh Ahmadi; khadijeh javani
Abstract
This study has been carried out with the goal of investigating the social and financial impacts of saffron on rural families. In this research, descriptive analysis has been implemented through field and library studies. The statistical population used were all the families of 13 villages in Balavelayat ...
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This study has been carried out with the goal of investigating the social and financial impacts of saffron on rural families. In this research, descriptive analysis has been implemented through field and library studies. The statistical population used were all the families of 13 villages in Balavelayat rural district in the city of Bakharz (=2908N) where 272 families were chosen randomly among the families there. To gather data, a questionnaire was designed and distributed in villages based on the number of the families there. The reliability of the questionnaire has been tested by professors in geography, rural planning and agricultural education. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire has been estimated using SPSS software and its amount was found to be 0.81. The results of the research show that the environmental conditions of the region for cultivating saffron are suitable because the level of significance of each three variable was 0.000 which was less than 0.50. These variables include: “lack of water in the region and the fact that saffron needs low water”, “proper soil conditions for saffron cultivation” and “suitable season for harvesting”. Also the results of T-Test show that the level of significance for indices like human, saffron cultivation training and experience and local knowledge equals 0.000. Then the positive social-financial impacts of saffron cultivation on rural families have been proved, in such a way that saffron income in comparison with other agricultural products has a 0.000 level of significance and a high mean of 3 (3.38).
Economics and Marketing
Mohammad Ghodoosi; Toktam Mohtashami; Mahnaz Motavalli Habibi; Shakiba Sheddati
Abstract
The importance of saffron in the growth of non-oil exports makes it necessary to explain proper marketing systems based on expert priorities. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize marketing mix elements influencing the increase in export of this product. In this regard, based on McCarthy's ...
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The importance of saffron in the growth of non-oil exports makes it necessary to explain proper marketing systems based on expert priorities. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize marketing mix elements influencing the increase in export of this product. In this regard, based on McCarthy's 4P model, different criteria for export marketing of this product were determined and prioritized using Analytical Hierarchy Process and interviews with 63 experts in the export of saffron. Based on the findings, product criteria with important sub criteria such as brands, the standard sign and packaging weighting 0.485, have the highest priority in saffron marketing. Promotion criteria (weight 0.281) are the next important in determining the marketing mix. Among the indicators of this criterion, advertisements (0.408), overseas sales (0.23) and specialized exhibitions (0.138) were the determining factors in maintaining Iran`s share of this market. Finally, the criteria of price (weight 0.183) and distribution (0.068) have third and fourth priority in saffron marketing mix. Accordingly, identifying distribution channels in target markets, funding the establishment of an international distribution network for Iranian brands, supporting mechanized production process of saffron, and encouraging and requiring manufacturers to food-grade and health license are required and recommended.
Biotechnology and genetics
Mohsen Sajjadi; Maghsoud Pazhouhandeh
Abstract
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the medicinal plants that contain active components and medicinal materials. Tissue culture of saffron can improve the quality and quantity of the saffron product, increase its export and the farmers’ income. In this study, 36 different types of hormone combinations ...
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Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the medicinal plants that contain active components and medicinal materials. Tissue culture of saffron can improve the quality and quantity of the saffron product, increase its export and the farmers’ income. In this study, 36 different types of hormone combinations in the dark and 9 different treatments of hormone combinations in cold (4°C), using different saffron explants (bulb, leaf, scales around leaf and distal parts of the leaf) were studied in tissue culture. To investigate the growth of corms, the callus formation and the regeneration rate, three replications for each treatment were used and the length of shoot (cm), the callus formation percentage and the regeneration percentage were measured and statistical analysis was performed. Among the types of explants, only explants from bulbs produced the callus on MS medium containing 2 mg.l-1 BAP and 1 mg.l-1 IBA in both the dark and cold conditions. The highest percentage of regeneration was obtained in MS medium with hormonal composition of 0.3 mg.l-1 TDZ, 1 mg.l-1 BAP, 2 mg.l-1 IBA and 0.01 mg.l-1 GA3 in the cold conditions.
