Annex White book.pdf

A1.3.8.5 EfficiencyIn Castile-La Mancha maximum efficiency is reached during the first andsecond year (i.e. the second and third flowering year) and diminishes in thefollowing years. Efficiency decrease depends closely on the salinity of the cultivation.If the salinity is good, the production cycle can last even up to sevenyears.In Western Macedonia, the annual saffron production reaches an averageof 10 kg per hectare and depends to a large extent, on the climatic conditionsduring fall.In Sardinia, efficiency varies greatly during the four years of the productioncycle. In the first year, production reaches 650.000-700.000 flowers per hectare(5 kg of dry stigmas per hectare), in the second year about 1.300.000-1.400.000flowers per hectare (10 kg of dry stigmas per hectare), in the third year productionreaches 1.950.000-2.100.000 flowers per hectare (15 kg of dry stigmas perhectare) and in the fourth year production falls to 1.300.000-1.400.000 flowersper hectare (10 kg of dry stigmas per hectare).A1.3.9 Bulb harvestingA1.3.9.1 Bulb grubbingBulb grubbing is the most important task for the cultivation of saffron.The quality of the planting material is closely related to the possiblewounds that occur on the plant during grubbing. Thus it is important,that the applied systems would not damage the bulbs. It is also importantthat the bulb should not be exposed to the sun for more than 2hours. The bulbs should be stored in dark places with sufficient ventilationand on a layer of no more than 40 cm. Material should be treatedvery cautiously during each task.In Castile-La Mancha, grubbing takes place in June and July, whenthe temperature is high and the soil very dry. If the ground has not beentreated and sand is lacking, this could lead to the formation of earthlumps, decreasing thus efficiency and increasing the possibility of plantinjuries (especially when machinery is used). There are two solutions toprevent a situation like this:· Light field irrigation 48 hours before grubbing. Immediately after irrigationis completed, grubbing should take place since it would be fatal forthe bulbs to stay in this humid environment at this time of the year.· Treating the soil in a narrow depth of 10 cm. This would have nonegative effects provided the plants lie on the same level.End of August would be not a good season for grubbing becauseduring this time the plant grows roots. The stems are 1 and 2 cm longand difficulties in the next sprouting could occur.In Western Macedonia, in order to interrupt cultivation, bulb grub-113