THE CLIMATIC FEASIBILITY OF SAFFRON CULTIVATION IN SOUTHERN PART OF SABZEVAR

Authors

1 Associate Prof, of Faculty of Geography . University of Tehran

2 Assistant Prof, International Research Center for Living with DESERT

Abstract

The correlation coefficient of climatic factors necessary for cultivation of saffron between Sabzevar
stations and those of southem parts of Khorasan is strong. In October, no frost can be seen in Sabzevar, but it
can be seen in other stations.
This study showed that there was no difference in viewpoints of climatic factors in cultivation stations in both
areas. Comparing the correlation coefficient of climatic factors in southem and central parts of Khorasan with
Sabzevar ones, it can be said that cultivation of saffron in Sabzevar is possible.
In all studied stations, all calculation factors showed high correlation coefficient (over 90%) showing
temperature similarities in these areas with Sabzevar. Regarding to all studied climatic parameters, the highest
correlation coefficient was related to the mean maximum temperature and the least was related to the absolute
maximum temperature. Due to the high temperature in Sabzevar during the reproductive stage (phenology),
the qualitative and quantitative of product is lower than product produced in southem parts of Khorasan. In
Sabzevar, It is necessary for saffron to spent 25 days in order to receive daily energy.