Second International Symposium on Saffron Biology and Technology: Was held by Center of Excellence for Special Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, from 28 to 30 October 2006. In this scientific event, scientists from Germany, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, England and Iran participated. A total of 149 scientific papers including 55 oral and 84 posters was presented in 5 sessions of  Production and Improvement Technology, Biology and Biotechnology, Economics and Marketing, Quality control, Processing and Packaging, Biomedicine and Industrial Applications and Emerging Innovations. Saffron Festival and Scientific tour to the saffron growing areas of Birjand were the main side events. A saffron exhibition was organized during the course of the symposium.