Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Zahra Farahmand ¹
• Mahdi Tazeh ²
• Mohammad Javad Ghaneei Bafghi ³
• Mostafa Shirmardi ⁴
• Gholamreza Zarei ⁵

¹ M.Sc. graduate in Desert Management and Control, Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

² Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

³ Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Ardakan, Ardakan, Iran

⁴ Department of Horticultural Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

⁵ Department of Agriculture, Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University, Maybod, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Climatic diversity in Iran allows the cultivation of a wide range of medicinal plants, and the medicinal plant industry offers significant opportunities for both domestic use and export. The type of plant cultivated, the cultivated area, ecological conditions, and economic importance all influence the quality and quantity of medicinal plant products. Caraway-seed (Elwendia persica) is particularly important in crop rotation systems in dry and semi-dry regions due to its low water requirements, high export value, and its role in generating employment in the agricultural sector. Caraway-seed exhibits several medicinal properties, including treatment of stomach ulcers, fever reduction, lowering of blood lipids and cholesterol, anti-allergic effects, and reduction of blood sugar levels. Its essential oil also possesses antioxidant properties and is widely used as a flavoring agent in foods, chocolate, and cheese. Considering its low water requirements and economic and medicinal significance, this research aims to identify regions within Yazd Province suitable for Caraway-seed cultivation to support agricultural planning and optimize crop production.
Methodology: Yazd Province lies between 33°22' and 36°29' northern latitude and 48°52' and 56°36' eastern longitude, covering approximately 7.9% of Iran’s total area. It is located in the central, dry, and low-rainfall region of the country, bordered to the north by Semnan Province, to the west and northwest by Isfahan Province, to the east by Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan provinces, to the southeast by Kerman Province, and to the southwest by Fars Province. In this study, suitable ecological conditions for Caraway-seed growth were first determined through scientific literature review, library research, and habitat assessment. Next, thematic maps were generated based on the collected environmental and meteorological data. Potential habitats for Caraway-seed were identified by integrating these datasets within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. Soil properties considered included pH, electrical conductivity, and soil saturation percentage. Meteorological variables included wind speed, maximum and minimum temperatures, average temperature, atmospheric pressure at sea level, relative humidity (maximum and minimum), sunshine hours, average dry and wet temperatures, precipitation, snowfall, evaporation, and transpiration. Absolute maximum and minimum temperatures were also included. Effective biophysical parameters, including slope, slope direction, and elevation, were derived from a 1:25,000 scale Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Finally, GIS maps for each parameter relevant to Caraway-seed growth were generated and analyzed to identify suitable cultivation areas.
Results: The study indicated that altitude posed the greatest limitation for Caraway-seed cultivation, as the lowest eligible growth areas were observed at higher elevations. In contrast, minimum temperature was favorable for cultivation across nearly the entire province, whereas maximum temperature presented challenges in lowland regions. Integration of all maps revealed that approximately 1,528,560 hectares of Yazd Province are suitable for Caraway-seed cultivation, while 5,791,940 hectares are unsuitable due to environmental and climatic limitations.
Conclusion: Extensive low-elevation plains, widespread saline soils in low-lying areas, and the hot, dry climate of Yazd Province make environmental and climatic factors the primary constraints for Caraway-seed cultivation. Consequently, cultivation potential is largely restricted to elevated lands, which offer favorable conditions regarding temperature, soil quality, water salinity, and rainfall. The integrated map generated in this study indicates that approximately 26.3% of the central and western regions have suitable conditions for Caraway-seed cultivation. However, local assessments are recommended to validate these findings and ensure the successful establishment and growth of this economically and medicinally valuable crop.

Keywords

• Agroecological
• topography
• Geographic Information System
• medicinal plant

Main Subjects

• Identification, introduction, ecology and ethnobotany