Annex White book.pdf

A1.4 MECHANIZATION OF SAFFRON CULTIVATION IN THE FIELDIn Spain following techniques are mainly applied.A1.4.1 Bulb plantingA1.4.1.1Special equipmentAvailable technology for other bulbous plants can be applied in saffroncultivation as well. All planting machinery, suitable for plantingfreesia or irises can be used with no modifications in the saffron cultivation.Such machinery fulfills all traditional demands. The machines canbe adjusted in order to obtain appropriate planting depth.Seeding machinery can be adjusted to the specific demands of eachseeding type, either in rows with distances varying from 20 to 50 cm orin different levels of 1 meter in their superior part).Planting with nettings is a new technique that makes grubbing easier.The eyes of the small bulbs have a diameter of 5 mm and the eyesof the larger bulbs have a diameter of 12 mm. The nettings are placedinto the planting tubes of the machinery.1.4.1.2 Modification of various types of cultivation machineryIn case cultivation machines for potatoes, onions or garlic are alreadyavailable, then the same can be used for saffron cultivation aswell. Given the fact that these cultivations do not need delicate handling,the machinery must be modified in order to avoid damaging thebulbs.A1.4.2 Cleaning, sorting and disinfectionA1.4.2.1CleaningPrior to sorting, saffron bulbs are subjected to all usual proceduresapplied in other bulb cultivations, too. In order to remove soil residuesfrom their surface, the bulbs are forwarded on a vibrating roll belt.Afterwards, the bulbs travel over two moving belts equipped withrubber fingers that move simultaneously at different speed. Thus newbulbs can be separated from the old ones and the biggest part of theouter housing is being removed. Eftsoon, bulbs fall through the rolls intocontainers. Further on, the bulbs are being transported on a 3 meterbelt in order to be cleaned by hand.115