Saffron Agronomy and Technology

Saffron Agronomy and Technology

The effects of meteorological factors (rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, freezing days and sunny hours) on yield of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Kashmar and Ghaenat Towns

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors
fatemeh Arsalani 1
Seyed JavadRasouli 2
1 PhD Student of Climate Risks, Kharazmi University
2 PhD Student of Agroecology, Ferdowsi University University of Mashhad and Khorasan Razavi Meteorological Institute
10.22048/jsat.2014.9932
Abstract
In this study parameters of daily and monthly rainfall, minimum, average and maximum temperatures, relative humidity, number of sunny hours and number of freezing days in the towns of Kashmar and Ghaen were analyzed for a statistical period of 20 agricultural years (1992-2011). Several traditional methods of climate classification were used to compare climate conditions of Ghaen and Kashmar towns by climate determining software. Then effective meteorological indicators on saffron cultivation were selected. Results of climate classification by traditional methods showed that these towns are located in the same climate class. Although the climate was similar, but studies showed that saffron quality in color, odor and taste in Ghaen was higher than Kashmar. The Maximum temperature and relative humidity were the same in both towns. Relative humidity in both towns was the same, especially in October and November which coincided with the beginning of saffron flowering time. Minimum temperature and sunny hours made climate conditions of Ghaen at more favorable for saffron because of mountainous nature. Sunny hours in Ghaen during flowering season was more than Kashmar. Finally, a slight difference in three climate parameters, i.e. rainfall during summer, temperature and sunny hours cannot be the only reason for lower quality of saffron in Kashmar in comparison to Ghaen and saffron quality in Kashmar could be highly raised by other factors such as better planning and management.
Keywords
Agricultural Climate
Quality
Saffron

Subjects

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