AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN RELATION TO THE TIMING OF VEGETABLE FIELD PRODUCTION IN IRAN

Iran has a rich and old tradition for vegetable production.
Vegetable production has increased tremendously during the last few years, from about 300 000 ha in 1975 to around 860 000 ha in 1986. There is a tremendous cropping potential in many parts of Iran for vegetables of all kinds throughout the season.
This is due to Iran’s geographic position, which lies between 26’N to 38’N, and has a diverse climate from subtropical to temperate which is favorable to the production of vegetables all year round.
Three agroclimatic regions are distinguished in Iran, humid, seasonally arid and arid, and ten agricultural zones have been recognized within these regions.

The important vegetables produced in Iran are potatoes, onions, tomatoes, watermelons, melons, cucumbers, squash, eggplants and some leafy vegetables.
The crop suitability and crop calendars of the agricultural zones have been discussed.

Through proper planning of the time of maturity of vegetable field production, demands for both foreign and domestic markets can be attained.
Long term continous market supply could be secured from field production through the utilization of favorable climatic possibilities and proper and skillful management of vegetable production such as choice of proper varieties, sowing date, time and method of seedling production and temporary plant protection from adverse climatic conditions.

VI Symposium on the Timing of Field Production of Vegetables

P. Benedictos Jr

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.267.32