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Saffron: A Golden Opportunity for Crop Diversification
Margaret Skinner, Bruce L. Parker & Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani
Univ. of Vermont, Entomology Research Laboratory
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What is Saffron? Crocus sativus (=cultivated)
The most expensive spice in the world
over $3,000-9,000/lb!
Family: Iridaceae, subfamily Crocoideae
Origin: Probably Greece or Crete
Height: 5 - 20 inches tall
Flowering: autumn
Reproduction: Corm
In cultivation for over 3,500 yr
Stigma
Stamen
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Saffron in Barcelona Market, 2016
Price in Spain: 1 g (0.035 oz) for 7.50 Euros ($8.36) Equal to: $3,792/pound Price in the US: ~$20/g Equal to: $9,072/pound Price of gold: $42/g
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What is Saffron good for?
Culinary spice
Medicinal herb
Medicinal extract
Perfume
Ornamental plant
Fabric dye
Liqueur
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World Saffron Cultivation
In 2013 the US imported 25 tons of saffron!
India
Iran
Morocco
Spain
Greece
Italy
Tajikistan
Grown by Penn. Dutch as early as 1700s.
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Why is Saffron so expensive? Currently most harvesting is done by hand.
One acre (field-grown) produces about three pounds of saffron.
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Why is Saffron so expensive? Currently all processing is done by hand.
4,000 blooms = 1 oz of saffron (approx. 114,000 threads or stigmas).
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Potential of Saffron for Diversified Farmers
High value crop
Low input (except labor for harvesting & processing)
Production is relatively simple
Labor outputs are mostly 4 weeks in late Oct./Nov.
Fits into traditional vegetable production cycle
Lots of possible value-added products
Saffron safes
Saffron honey
Saffron flavored oil Saffron flavored syrup
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Can Saffron be grown commercially in Northern Climates (zones 3 & 4)?
Our Hypothesis: Probably not outside in the field,
but perhaps in high tunnels
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High Tunnel Growing Methods Tested
Raised beds Milk crates
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Why High Tunnels?
Low cost to erect and operate
Protected environment but not too hot
Used for other traditional crops
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Why Milk Crates?
They are easy to move so growers can start other high-value crops like tomatoes in spring.
They are inexpensive (often free) and readily available.
They are the right depth for growing saffron.
They are light weight but sturdy and durable.
They protect corms from rodent predation.
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Production Methods
MILK CRATES
Milk crates (11 in. tall) covered inside with 2 strips of weed cloth.
Crate filled with 4 in. top soil.
Corms placed tip end up on top soil, covered with 2 in. of top soil and then 4 in. of a perennial potting mix containing compost.
11 corms planted/crate (=100 corms/sq meter)
Source of Corms: Ruth Martin, PA (2015) American Meadows (2016)
Corm size: 10-40 mm diameter
Planting date: Aug. 25-Sept. 1
Irrigation: top watering
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Production Methods RAISED BEDS
Raised beds (12 in. tall) with bottom covered with hardware cloth (2016 only).
Corms planted 2 in. deep in top soil, covered with 2 in. top soil, and then 4 in. potting mix.
Planting density: 100 corms/ sq meter
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Harvesting and Drying Methods
Harvested by hand every 2 days.
Stigmas, stamens and petals separated and dried.
Fresh and dry weight of each part
recorded.
Drying methods tested: • Air dried 48 hr. • Air dried 24 hr, oven 1 hr at
35°C.
Harvest Period ~35 days: October 12-November 20
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Post Harvest Methods
Check for rodent damage.
No watering.
Corms reach dormancy by March (leaves turn brown)
Secondary corm
Primary or mother corm
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Factors We Assessed
Saffron yield
Saffron quality
Corm yield/survival
Cost of production
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2015 Saffron Yield
0.88 1.08
1.93
1.39 1.47
2.87
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
STIGMA STAMEN TOTAL
Ave
rage
(gr
/m2 )
in ground in crates
• Our saffron estimated revenue per sq ft = $4.03/sq ft
• Estimated yield/acre: 5,624 gr [12.6 lb] = $112,480
• Greater yield than Iran (0.34 gr/sq m) and Spain (0.60 gr/sq m)
• Greater revenue per sq ft than tomatoes ($3.51) or winter greens ($1.81)
453.6 gr = ~1 lb Estimated VT Retail Price: $20/gr ($9,000/lb)
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Threads in ¼ gram = 40 threads = ½ teaspoon
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Why was our yield higher than Iran and Spain?
• Soil fertility
• Soil moisture
• Protection from rain and wind damage
• Saffron cultivar?
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Saffron quality
Sample #
Source Growing method
Harvest time
1 VT HT In-crate Early season
2 VT HT In-ground Early season
3 VT HT In-crate Late season
4 VT HT In-ground Late season
5 VT HT In-crate Late season
6 VT HT In-ground Late season
7 VT HT In-crate Late season
8 VT HT In-ground Late season
9 PA In-ground Late season
10 Iran In-ground Unknown
11 Spain In-ground Unknown
12 Italy In-ground Unknown
Analyses by Dr. Charles Cantrell, USDA ARS, Natural Products Utilization Research Lab, University, MS
0.26 0.28 0.25 0.27 0.30 0.24
0.36
0.21
0.36
0.54
1.00
0.19
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
No
rm
alized
%
Saffron Sample #
Safranal content
0.72
0.97 1.00 0.93
0.87 0.84
0.97
0.72
0.90
0.59
0.77
0.30
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
No
rm
alized
%
Saffron Sample #
Crocin content
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Corm Yield
Treatment # primary corms 2015
# secondary corms in 2016
Average wt/corm 2015
Average wt/corm 2016
In ground 465 407 11.2 grams 10.3 grams
In crates 465 756 11.2 grams 7.7 grams
• Almost 2 times more corms harvested from crates than from raised beds.
Major factor: rodent feeding and predation in raised beds
• Corms from raised beds were 1/3 heavier than those from crates.
Major factor: soil moisture deficit in crates
Secondary corm
Primary corm
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Corm Size and Weight
• 43-51% of the harvested corms were medium size.
• 26% of in-ground corms and 16% of in-crate corms were large.
• In-ground corms were heavier (more dense) than those from the in-crate treatment.
Very small= <10 mm; Small=10 -20 mm Medium=20-30 mm; Large=>30 mm
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Rodent Damage
Rabbits
Voles & Moles
2016 flowering patterns
Crates
Raised beds
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Ruth Martin’s home saffron bed Central Pennsylvania
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All that Glitters is NOT Gold!
Mexican Saffron is not the real thing.
It is safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), a frequent filler or fraudulent product.
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Present certification of Greek Organic Saffron.
Local Market Opportunities:
Product Quality & Authenticity
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Can processing be mechanized to reduce labor costs?
Necessity is the Mother of Invention.
Blue Monkey Gathering Saffron Fresco from the Palace of Knossos on Crete (1500 BC).
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Summary
• Saffron yield was higher in crates than in the ground.
• Saffron yield was greater when grown in high tunnels in VT than outside in traditional saffron-growing areas.
• Saffron quality in general was not significantly different from other commercial products.
• Corm yield was less for the in-ground than the in-crate treatment. Rodent damage and water availability were major factors.
• Corm size and weight was higher for the in-ground than the in-crate treatment.
• Revenue from saffron per sq ft was greater than tomatoes or winter greens.
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Future Research
• Repeat high tunnel trials in crates and in ground to determine patterns in survival, yield and corm production.
• Compare saffron yield in Year 1 and 2.
• Continue to assess saffron quality relative to harvest date and drying methods.
• Test different ways to minimize rodent damage.
• Market analysis.
• Develop other value added products.
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I have been imbibing, and have visions of a strong Saffron industry in Northern New
England in the future!
This will test saffron’s powers!
Drinking saffron tea is said to bestow the gift
of clairvoyance.
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Thanks for the Support! • Center for Lake Champlain Watershed
Research, Innovation and Implementation
• Herb Society of America
• Charles L. Cantrell, USDA ARS
• UVM College of Agric. & Life Sciences
• American Meadows
• Thomas Dairy Farms
• Monument Farms Dairy
• Old Castle Architectural
Some images for this presentation were provided by Susan Liechty, Herb Soc. of America.