Computer Based Production of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.): From Mechanical Design to Electronic Control

Abstract

[EN] The article describes the design and implementation of a computer based industrial system for production of saffron. The proposal is based on an automated greenhouse with temperature, light and irrigation control together with harvesting and stigma separation devices. The harvesting device has been specifically developed using scalability properties and computer vision. The greenhouse is designed to increase the crop density if required generating a more sustainable and continuous production. The main advantages of the proposed method are as follows: the harvesting of the saffron flower and the procedure to get the stigmas are carried out in the same process; the greenhouse allows to significantly extend the flowering time of the saffron plant; and higher productivity per worker and per planting area is achieved. In order to show the feasibility and applicability of the proposed approach, real experimentation has been carried out for the extension of the flowering time and for the harvesting and stigma separation devices and successful results have been obtained.