Production of greenhouse saffron by aeration method
Yasin Norouzi, PhD student in agriculture at Razi University and the executor of the aerated greenhouse saffron cultivation project. Today, saffron cultivation has been considered by farmers due to the perennial nature of the plant and low water requirement.
He added: In addition to the agricultural advantages of saffron over other plants, in recent years due to its anti-depressant properties has always been considered by pharmaceutical companies around the world and due to the advantages and high added value of this plant, saffron cultivation in developed countries to achieve profitability. The above is of particular importance. Among these countries, we can mention China, which pursues important programs to achieve the cultivation of this valuable plant, and the use of industrial and modern methods in the cultivation of this plant is considered.
According to Nowruzi, one of these methods is aeroponic cultivation or saffron cultivation. In this method, in the stage of flower bud production and until the flowers are harvested, there is no need for agricultural land and soil to grow the crop (cultivation without direct irrigation and soil).
Razi University saffron cultivation PhD student and implementer of saffron cultivation project said: the benefits of this method can be saving water, easy control of diseases and pests, rapid return on investment, control of temperature and humidity, reduce planting costs, and harvest and increase the area under cultivation ( The possibility of planting about 4 to 6 tons of saffron onions per 100 square meters) mentioned.
Nowruzi stated: Due to the benefits of aeroponic saffron cultivation and in order to try to create employment and entrepreneurship for students, the Scientific Society of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics with the support of Razi University Cultural and Social Vice Chancellor cultivated aerated saffron in Razi University Central Laboratory.
He added: In this project, in addition to educating students in practice, other objectives in the form of research activities by comparing cultivated onions from Kermanshah, Javanrood, Neishabour, Torbat Heydariyeh and Ghaenat will be examined in terms of the impact on the quantitative and qualitative yield of saffron.
Nowruzi pointed out: This year, the cultivation of aerated saffron in Razi University has been done independently by me and in cooperation with the Student Scientific Association of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, and our activities will be carried out seriously until flowering and harvest.
According to the Ministry of Science, he stated: Due to the impossibility of cultivating saffron directly in the ground, the Scientific Association of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics of Razi University is ready in some areas of the province with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and with the aim of creating employment for Students and graduates of the agricultural sector and ordinary people, to cooperate with all government agencies and the private sector in teaching greenhouse saffron cultivation and marketing and selling this product.