New Mexico State University researchers continue to learn more about exploring saffron as a high-value specialty crop that can be grown throughout the state. The public can learn more about the possibilities of growing saffron, along with information on crops in semiarid environments, weed management and other farming practices at this year's field day in Los Lunas.
The field day will take place from 7:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 13 at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas, 1036 Miller Road. The field day is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served at noon.
Among the field day's presentation topics are the analysis of flavor quality in chile; wine and table grapes; mitigating tomato stress with sun, shade and silicon; jujube cultivars; specialty crop pest control; perennial forage grass effects on soil health in New Mexico; native grasses; and water management.
Attendees will also learn about ongoing saffron research at NMSU. To discover how saffron would grow in central and southern New Mexico, corms were planted at the Agricultural Science Center in Los Lunas and the Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center in La Mesa in 2025. Saffron is commonly known as the world's most expensive spice, with an average price of $30 per gram for saffron grown in the United States. Saffron is typically harvested in October and into early November.
Another recent addition to the center is the Urban Agriculture Center of Excellence, a long-term demonstration of innovative agricultural practices and exploratory species for urban settings. The project is now in its second year of development. A presentation on new fruit trees added to the renovated orchard will be given during the field day.
Attendees who require accommodations to participate are asked to contact Candace Sisneros at 505-865-7340 or
Attendees are encouraged to preregister online. For more information about the science center, including registration, visit https://loslunassc.nmsu.edu/.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/learn-about-saffron-and-more-at-nmsu-field-day-in-los-lunas/s/c34fd3ca-d1cd-4270-a2ac-e8a3431d1934
