Saffron yield and quality as influenced by different irrigation methods

Dried stigma of saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. In Iran, the majority of saffron farms use the traditional basin method for irrigation, which, together with other irrigation methods may soon face serious problems because of droughts in the future. Making an evaluation of the regional crop response to the irrigation method is important to the adoption of a proper irrigation management strategy. In this study, the effect of employing different irrigation methods, including the sprinkler, drip, furrow, and basin, on the following factors was evaluated: the saffron stigma dry weight, quality, water use efficiency (WUE), and Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in the arid climate of Qaen, South Khorasan, Iran, over three consecutive crop years. The experiment was undertaken using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that seasonal saffron Evapotranspiration (ETC) was recorded as 356.5, 339.1, and 330.7 mm, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively, as a result of administering the treatments. Saffron yield as well as WUE and IWUE were found to respond to the various irrigation methods except in the first year. In total, maximum stigma dry weight and water use efficiencies were reached in the third growing season using the drip irrigation method. Judging by the results, the drip irrigation method for saffron production is to be preferred. Additionally, the quality level of saffron was found to be acceptable. However, due to higher crocin content, the quality of saffron irrigated by the sprinkler method was somewhat higher.(AU)

Saffron yield and quality as influenced by different irrigation methods

Dried stigma of saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. In Iran, the majority of saffron farms use the traditional basin method for irrigation, which, together with other irrigation methods may soon face serious problems because of droughts in the future. Making an evaluation of the regional crop response to the irrigation method is important to the adoption of a proper irrigation management strategy. In this study, the effect of employing different irrigation methods, including the sprinkler, drip, furrow, and basin, on the following factors was evaluated: the saffron stigma dry weight, quality, water use efficiency (WUE), and Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in the arid climate of Qaen, South Khorasan, Iran, over three consecutive crop years. The experiment was undertaken using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that seasonal saffron Evapotranspiration (ETC) was recorded as 356.5, 339.1, and 330.7 mm, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively, as a result of administering the treatments. Saffron yield as well as WUE and IWUE were found to respond to the various irrigation methods except in the first year. In total, maximum stigma dry weight and water use efficiencies were reached in the third growing season using the drip irrigation method. Judging by the results, the drip irrigation method for saffron production is to be preferred. Additionally, the quality level of saffron was found to be acceptable. However, due to higher crocin content, the quality of saffron irrigated by the sprinkler method was somewhat higher.

Turmeric powder in the diet of Japanese quails improves the quality of stored eggs / Açafrão em pó em dietas de codornas japonesas melhora a qualidade de ovos armazenados

This study evaluated the effect of turmeric powder (TP) on the productivity and egg quality of quails and on the quality of eggs stored at different temperatures for 7 or 14 d. Quails were distributed in three treatments that consisted of sorghum-based diets with 1.5% and 3% TP or zero TP inclusion, with five replicates for 84 d. Eggs were stored at ambient temperature or refrigerated for 7 or 14 d in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with three TP levels × two storage temperatures (ST) × two storage periods (SP). Inclusion of TP did not affect the performance of the quails or egg quality at 84 d. Interaction SP × ST influenced the height and diameter of yolk and albumen, and the Haugh unit value. Eggs of quails with a diet supplemented with 3% TP and stored for 14 d showed specific gravity similar to the eggs stored for 7 d, despite the TP supplementation. It was concluded that diets with 3% TP did not affect the performance and quality of fresh eggs but improved the quality of eggs stored for 14 d at ambient temperature.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou o efeito de açafrão em pó (AP) sobre a produtividade e qualidade de ovos de codornas e sobre a qualidade de ovos armazenados em diferentes temperaturas por 7 ou 14 dias. Codornas foram distribuídas em três tratamentos que consistiram em dietas baseadas em sorgo com (1,5 e 3%) ou sem inclusão de AP e cinco repetições por 84 dias. Ovos foram armazenados em temperatura ambiente ou refrigerados por 7 ou 14 dias em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2 com três níveis de AP × duas temperaturas de armazenamento (TA) × dois períodos de armazenamento (PA). A inclusão de AP não afetou o desempenho das codornas ou a qualidade de ovo aos 84 dias. A interação TA × PA influenciou a altura e o diâmetro de gema e albúmen e o valor de unidade Haugh. Ovos de codornas com dietas suplementadas com 3% AP e armazenados por 14 dias mostraram peso específico similar ao de ovos armazenados por 7 dias, independente da suplementação com AP. Concluiu-se que dietas com 3% de AP não afetaram o desempenho e qualidade de ovos frescos mas melhorou a qualidade de ovos armazenados por 14 dias em temperatura ambiente.(AU)

Turmeric powder in the diet of Japanese quails improves the quality of stored eggs / Açafrão em pó em dietas de codornas japonesas melhora a qualidade de ovos armazenados

This study evaluated the effect of turmeric powder (TP) on the productivity and egg quality of quails and on the quality of eggs stored at different temperatures for 7 or 14 d. Quails were distributed in three treatments that consisted of sorghum-based diets with 1.5% and 3% TP or zero TP inclusion, with five replicates for 84 d. Eggs were stored at ambient temperature or refrigerated for 7 or 14 d in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with three TP levels × two storage temperatures (ST) × two storage periods (SP). Inclusion of TP did not affect the performance of the quails or egg quality at 84 d. Interaction SP × ST influenced the height and diameter of yolk and albumen, and the Haugh unit value. Eggs of quails with a diet supplemented with 3% TP and stored for 14 d showed specific gravity similar to the eggs stored for 7 d, despite the TP supplementation. It was concluded that diets with 3% TP did not affect the performance and quality of fresh eggs but improved the quality of eggs stored for 14 d at ambient temperature.

Este estudo avaliou o efeito de açafrão em pó (AP) sobre a produtividade e qualidade de ovos de codornas e sobre a qualidade de ovos armazenados em diferentes temperaturas por 7 ou 14 dias. Codornas foram distribuídas em três tratamentos que consistiram em dietas baseadas em sorgo com (1,5 e 3%) ou sem inclusão de AP e cinco repetições por 84 dias. Ovos foram armazenados em temperatura ambiente ou refrigerados por 7 ou 14 dias em arranjo fatorial 3 × 2 × 2 com três níveis de AP × duas temperaturas de armazenamento (TA) × dois períodos de armazenamento (PA). A inclusão de AP não afetou o desempenho das codornas ou a qualidade de ovo aos 84 dias. A interação TA × PA influenciou a altura e o diâmetro de gema e albúmen e o valor de unidade Haugh. Ovos de codornas com dietas suplementadas com 3% AP e armazenados por 14 dias mostraram peso específico similar ao de ovos armazenados por 7 dias, independente da suplementação com AP. Concluiu-se que dietas com 3% de AP não afetaram o desempenho e qualidade de ovos frescos mas melhorou a qualidade de ovos armazenados por 14 dias em temperatura ambiente.

Effect of contract farming on the income and risk of pistachio and saffron producers in Iran / Efeito do cultivo sob contrato na renda e no risco dos produtores de pistache e açafrão no Irã

Contract farming is among the institutional arrangements essential for agricultural products. In most cases, these contracts lead to increased incomes and welfare of farmers. However, this type of business has not been taken seriously in Iran. This study aimed to analyze the effect of contract farming on the income and risk of the farmers income. To this end, pistachio and saffron farmers in the Yazd Province, in central Iran, were considered in the harvest year of 2017-2018. We divided the farmers into three homogeneous groups, each with different input consumption levels and production per hectare. We calibrated the cost functions of representative farmers in each group. These functions were employed to develop an ideal formal contract model and relational contract model. According to the results, formal contracts and relational contracts increased income and relational contracts reduced the risk to farmers when they were compatible with the incentive constraints of the farmer. Policymakers should provide favorable conditions for the development of contract farming. For instance, they can present contract farming to farmers and encourage agricultural enterprises to participate in contracts by facilitating access to credit and other investment incentives.

A agricultura por contrato está entre os arranjos institucionais mais essenciais para os produtos agrícolas. Esses contratos, na maioria dos casos, levam ao aumento da renda e do bem-estar dos agricultores. No entanto, esse tipo de negócio não foi levado a sério no Irã. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da agricultura contratual sobre a renda e o risco da renda do agricultor. Para esse fim, os produtores de pistache e açafrão na província de Yazd, no centro do Irã, foram considerados na safra 2017-2018. Os agricultores foram divididos em três grupos homogêneos, cada um com diferentes níveis de consumo de insumos e produtividade por hectare. Em seguida, as funções de custo dos agricultores representativos foram calibradas em cada grupo. Essas funções foram empregadas para desenvolver um modelo de contrato formal ideal e contrato relacional. De acordo com os resultados, contratos formais e contratos relacionais aumentaram a renda e os contratos relacionais reduziram o risco dos agricultores quando eles eram compatíveis com as restrições de incentivo do produtor e principal. Recomenda-se aos formuladores de políticas que forneçam condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento da agricultura contratada. Por exemplo, eles podem familiarizar os agricultores com a agricultura contratual e incentivar as empresas agrícolas a participar de contratos, facilitando o acesso ao...

Effect of contract farming on the income and risk of pistachio and saffron producers in Iran / Efeito do cultivo sob contrato na renda e no risco dos produtores de pistache e açafrão no Irã

Contract farming is among the institutional arrangements essential for agricultural products. In most cases, these contracts lead to increased incomes and welfare of farmers. However, this type of business has not been taken seriously in Iran. This study aimed to analyze the effect of contract farming on the income and risk of the farmers income. To this end, pistachio and saffron farmers in the Yazd Province, in central Iran, were considered in the harvest year of 2017-2018. We divided the farmers into three homogeneous groups, each with different input consumption levels and production per hectare. We calibrated the cost functions of representative farmers in each group. These functions were employed to develop an ideal formal contract model and relational contract model. According to the results, formal contracts and relational contracts increased income and relational contracts reduced the risk to farmers when they were compatible with the incentive constraints of the farmer. Policymakers should provide favorable conditions for the development of contract farming. For instance, they can present contract farming to farmers and encourage agricultural enterprises to participate in contracts by facilitating access to credit and other investment incentives.(AU)

A agricultura por contrato está entre os arranjos institucionais mais essenciais para os produtos agrícolas. Esses contratos, na maioria dos casos, levam ao aumento da renda e do bem-estar dos agricultores. No entanto, esse tipo de negócio não foi levado a sério no Irã. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o efeito da agricultura contratual sobre a renda e o risco da renda do agricultor. Para esse fim, os produtores de pistache e açafrão na província de Yazd, no centro do Irã, foram considerados na safra 2017-2018. Os agricultores foram divididos em três grupos homogêneos, cada um com diferentes níveis de consumo de insumos e produtividade por hectare. Em seguida, as funções de custo dos agricultores representativos foram calibradas em cada grupo. Essas funções foram empregadas para desenvolver um modelo de contrato formal ideal e contrato relacional. De acordo com os resultados, contratos formais e contratos relacionais aumentaram a renda e os contratos relacionais reduziram o risco dos agricultores quando eles eram compatíveis com as restrições de incentivo do produtor e principal. Recomenda-se aos formuladores de políticas que forneçam condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento da agricultura contratada. Por exemplo, eles podem familiarizar os agricultores com a agricultura contratual e incentivar as empresas agrícolas a participar de contratos, facilitando o acesso ao...(AU)

Effects of cinnamon, thyme and turmeric infusions on the performance and immune response in of 1- to 21-day-old male broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the replacement of drinking water by herb infusions on the performance, relative weight of internal organs, hematocrit and immune response to Newcastle disease virus of broiler chickens. A total of 540 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were divided into five groups, corresponding to four different treatments and one control group. Treatments were replicated eight times, and the control group four times. Experimental treatments included infusions (5 grams per liter) of cinnamon, thyme and turmeric in equal ratios in replacement of drinking water. Experimental period lasted 21 days and all chicks were fed with a corn-soybean based diet. Results showed that all herbs infusions caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in live body weight compared with the control group at 21 days of age. Mix treatment significantly decreased relative carcass weight relative to the control group (p<0.05). Herbs infusions increased the relative weight of some organs. None of herb additives affected hematocrit in comparison to control group. Cinnamon and herb mix infusion significantly improved bird immune response to the NDV vaccine in comparison to the control group and those that received only turmeric infusion. When all in-water additives were compare to each other, the birds supplemented with turmeric infusion showed the worst performance and immunity. The results of this experiment suggest that these herbs infusions did not favor the performance of broiler chickens.(AU)