New Mexico Project Explores Intercropping Saffron with Chile

A research project at New Mexico State University is exploring how saffron performs in the central and southern regions of the state and how well the valuable specialty crop can intercrop with chile. Saeid Zehtab Salmasi, research director of the NMSU Sustainable Agriculture Science Center, is leading the research under a Specialty Crop Block Grant. He hopes that saffron will thrive during the dormant season for chile, to help farmers maximize land use and create alternative revenue streams, as well as promote soil health. Saffron is a very high value crop with culinary, medical, and cosmetic uses that could help farmers diversify their operations and increase their incomes.