Bayzid Yousefi; Sedigheh Zarekia
Volume 29, Issue 4 , January 2023, , Pages 562-578
Abstract
To evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships among traits of herbaceous milkvetch, 10 genotypes belong to five species including Astragalus vegetus. A. brevidens, A. brachyodontus, A. effusus and A. cyclophyllus in Sanandaj in a randomized complete block design with three replications were studied. ...
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To evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships among traits of herbaceous milkvetch, 10 genotypes belong to five species including Astragalus vegetus. A. brevidens, A. brachyodontus, A. effusus and A. cyclophyllus in Sanandaj in a randomized complete block design with three replications were studied. Seed sowing was done in November 2018 and morphological traits of plant in spring 2020 were measured. Analysis of variance released significnant (p≤0.01 and 0.05) difference for milkvetch populations (G) for all studied traits. In 2020 (two years old plants), the mean of plant establishment was about 26%, the number of primary branches was 3.2, plant height, the tallest stem length and crown diameter were 16.9, 19.2 and 15.4 cm respectively, the length and width of the root were 17.4 and 6.2 cm, respectively, the average of fresh weights of the whole plant, arial and root parts were 2.3, 1.9 and 0.4 g and the average of dry weights of the whole plant, arial and root parts were were 0.9, 0.7 and 0.2 g respectively, average dry to fresh weight ratio was 0.38. Average of leaflet per leaf was 7.7, so mean of length and width of leaf and leaflet were 7.5, 3.7, 2.3 and 0.5 cm respectively. Up to this stage, the accession of A. effusus Darreh Shohada (West Azerbaijan) and three accession of A. vegetus (Zereshk of Qazvin, Saral of Kurdistan and Qarehbagh of West Azerbaijan) were superior ones in terms of forage production and other studied traits. The weight of the plant was positively correlated with plant vigor, length and width of leaf (p≤0.05) and with plant height, crown diameter, number of primary branches, length and width of root, arial and root weight at 1% probality level. The results of stepwise regression of forage yield on other traits showed that plant weight, establishment percentage, plant height and crown diameter at 1% and the length of leaf and root at 5% probality level (R2adj = 91.1%) were forage yield components. Therefore, in order to achieve higher forage, the genotypes with larger aerial parts and deeper roots should be selected.
Sedigheh Zarekia; Naser Baghestani Meybodi; Alibeman Mirjalili; Mohammadreza Ahmadi Roknabadi
Volume 28, Issue 1 , April 2021, , Pages 69-81
Abstract
To investigate the effect of biomechanical methods on increasing the vegetation in arid areas, three regions (Ashkezar, Ghahar, and Chahmatk of Ardakan) in Yazd province were selected. Statistical sites were determined within the scope of rainfall storage operations and outside it (control), and at the ...
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To investigate the effect of biomechanical methods on increasing the vegetation in arid areas, three regions (Ashkezar, Ghahar, and Chahmatk of Ardakan) in Yazd province were selected. Statistical sites were determined within the scope of rainfall storage operations and outside it (control), and at the end of the growing season (May 2018), a survey was conducted. To do this, in each area, 100 plots of 9 square meters (3*3) at a distance of 12 meters from each other and along five transects of 300 meters, which were considered in parallel and at a distance of 100 meters from each other were placed. In each plot, canopy cover percentage and density of different species were measured. Data were compared with a t-test. The results indicate an increase in the canopy within the furrow and crescent. The canopy average in the Ashkezar and Chahmatk of Ardakan rangelands in the rain storage region increased from 2 to 3% compared to the control area. Also, an increase in the density of different species was observed in the precipitation storage area. However, sowing has been done only in the year of rainfall storage. In general, due to vegetation status and plant density by species segregation, performing remedial storage operations along with seeding using Artemisia sieberi and Salsola tomentosa species can be successful for desert rangelands with less than 100 mm of rainfall.
Mohammad Abolghasemiy; Sedigheh Zarekia; seyyed Mojtaba Safavi
Volume 27, Issue 3 , October 2020, , Pages 495-503
Abstract
A significant area of the country's rangelands has been destroyed by various factors such as uncontrolled exploitation, climate change, and other factors. An important part of the rangeland plants has been endangered, and the abundance of some important plant species has been ...
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A significant area of the country's rangelands has been destroyed by various factors such as uncontrolled exploitation, climate change, and other factors. An important part of the rangeland plants has been endangered, and the abundance of some important plant species has been severely reduced. To create stability in such rangelands, their improvement and rehabilitation by selecting suitable species and finding the best cultivation and establishment methods have a special priority. For this purpose, the seeds of the most important populations of perennial plants and forages, along with their existing populations, were collected from the rangelands of different regions of Yazd and South Khorasan provinces on appropriate dates. The study was conductedin the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications in the field conditions, and the characteristics of forage production yield, canopy cover percentage, height, and seed yield were recorded. Data were analyzed using SAS software, and the means were compared with the Duncan test. The results showed that the populations of Kharanagh, (production 1094 g per plant and canopy cover 10548 cm2) Tabas (production 1734 g per plant and canopy cover 17221 cm2) Halothamnus subaphyllus and Tabas population of Salsola imbricata (production 2278 g per plant and canopy cover 22221 cm2) and Bahabad population of Salsola yazdiana (production 530 g per plant and canopy cover 4646 cm2) were superior in terms of the evaluated traits compared to other populations that could be taken into account for the improvement of saline rangelands.
Mohammad taghi Zare; Mohammad Fayaz; sedighe zarekia; Naser Baghestani Meybodi; Mohammad Abolghasemi
Volume 27, Issue 1 , April 2020, , Pages 24-35
Abstract
Rainfall storage with plant species planting is used for rehabilitation and improvement of rangelands, especially in arid areas. In this study the effect of rainfall storage treatments furrow, pitting and crescent pond on the establishment of Ferula tabasensis in Kalmand Bahadoran area of Yazd province ...
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Rainfall storage with plant species planting is used for rehabilitation and improvement of rangelands, especially in arid areas. In this study the effect of rainfall storage treatments furrow, pitting and crescent pond on the establishment of Ferula tabasensis in Kalmand Bahadoran area of Yazd province was evaluated. This area is one of the habitats of the species studied. Seeds were planted at two season, early fall as autumn sowing and late winter as spring sowing. The research was a split plot design, based on randomized complete blocks with three replications. The main plot was planting time (spring and autumn) and sub plot was planting method (farrow, pitting and crescent pond). The seeds were planted in 2013 and 2014. The results showed that seed emergence rate in autumn were significantly higher than spring planting. Among the planting methods, the impact of the crescent pond method was slightly more than the other two methods. In general, planting methods caused more than 50% seed emergence. Although some of these seedlings were destroyed for various reasons, however, the establishment of about 30% of seedlings shows that the methods of rainwater harvesting in the establishment of cultivated plants have had a positive effect.
Niloofar Zare; Sedigheh Zarekia; Parveneh Ashouri
Volume 27, Issue 1 , April 2020, , Pages 134-143
Abstract
In order to achieve a suitable cultivation method and season of Sanguisorba minor in rangelands, the present study was carried out during 2013-2016 in Homand Absard research station. The design was conducted in the form of split plots based on the randomized complete block design with three ...
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In order to achieve a suitable cultivation method and season of Sanguisorba minor in rangelands, the present study was carried out during 2013-2016 in Homand Absard research station. The design was conducted in the form of split plots based on the randomized complete block design with three replications. Factor A was cultivation time (in two levels of fall and spring rangeland) in the main plots and factor B was cultivation method (in two levels of seeding and seeding combined with rainfall storage using crescent bounds) were located in the sub-plots. The percentage of plant establishment was recorded at the end of the growing season in each year. Analysis of variance was performed using SPSS 22 software and the means were compared by Duncan method. The results showed that season and cultivation method had a significant effect on species establishment. Fall cultivation was better than spring and sowing with rainfall storage was better than regular sowing. Last year's results showed that the highest percentage of establishment was related to fall cultivation with rainfall storage with 45% establishment that the seedlings reached flowers and seeds.
Sedigheh Zare kia; Farhang Ghasriani; Mina Bayat; Hajar Nemati
Volume 22, Issue 2 , August 2015, , Pages 266-274
Abstract
Allowable use is one of the most important factors in determining grazing capacity. The present study was carried out to determine the allowable use of Salsola laricina in Khoshkerood site of Saveh. In this research, four treatments including 25%, 50% ,75% harvesting and no harvesting (control) ...
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Allowable use is one of the most important factors in determining grazing capacity. The present study was carried out to determine the allowable use of Salsola laricina in Khoshkerood site of Saveh. In this research, four treatments including 25%, 50% ,75% harvesting and no harvesting (control) were compared during three years. The results showed that the effect of the year and interaction of different harvesting intensities and year were statistically significant at the level of one percent. In the first year of study, there was no significant difference among treatments; however, in the subsequent years, the effects of treatments were visible. So that the treatments had the most impact on the speciesin the last year. It was clear that there was not significant difference between the 25% harvesting intensity and control treatment. These treatments had the most forage production and also, there was not a significant difference between the other two treatments. The observations showed that the vitality of species in control treatment was less than that of 25% and 50% harvesting intensities, indicating that grazing can increase the plants vitality. Based on the AMMI analysis, the first interaction principal component (IPC1) was significant at the level of 1%, so that 98.2% of the sum of squares of the interaction could be expressed by IPC1. According to the biplot of the IPC1 and mean production, the lowest production rate and stability was recorded for the harvesting intensity of 75%. According to the results, it can be stated thataharvesting intensity of 25% guarantees the survival of S.laricinain this region with no negative effect on the vitality of Salsola laricina.
Sedighe Zarekia; Parvaneh Ashouri; Mohammad Fayaz; Mahmood Goudarzi; Niloofar Zare
Volume 21, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 676-684
Abstract
Livestock is one of the components of rangeland ecosystems. Different grazing behaviors would be observed according to the climatic conditions, the type of livestock and vegetation. Knowledge of livestock grazing behavior on rangelands could be useful in the planning and utilization of rangelands. For ...
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Livestock is one of the components of rangeland ecosystems. Different grazing behaviors would be observed according to the climatic conditions, the type of livestock and vegetation. Knowledge of livestock grazing behavior on rangelands could be useful in the planning and utilization of rangelands. For this purpose, in this study, the grazing behavior of sheep in the steppe rangeland of Saveh was investigated. Initially, a three-year-old ewe was selected, then, using a geographic positioning system (GPS), the path of movement, the time of arrival and departure of livestock, time of rest and movement speed were recorded. Data were entered into the GIS and statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance. Results showed that, except for the livestock average speed, there was no significant difference among the measured parameters of grazing behavior during the four years of study. The time spent for movement and rest in different months of the grazing seasonshowed significant differences, while the length of the grazing path had no significant difference during different months. The highest time spent for movement and rest was attributed to May, although the grazing distance in May was not significantly different from other months, indicating the presence of more and better forage for grazing in this month. The lowest average speed of livestock was recorded in May. The most covered distance by sheep occurred in slope gradient ranging from 0 to 8% with dominant cover of Artemisia sieberi and Salsola laricina. Generally, it could be concluded that livestock grazing behavior and rangeland management could be better evaluated using GPS technology and GIS.
sedighe zarekia; hosein arzani; mohamad jafari; noloufar zare
Volume 22, Issue 4 , March 2015, , Pages 745-756
Abstract
This research was aimed to investigate the effects of different grazing systems and intensities on soil and vegetation properties. Initially, the canopy cover percentage, density, and species height were measured using systematic random sampling. To investigate the changes in soil parameters in ...
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This research was aimed to investigate the effects of different grazing systems and intensities on soil and vegetation properties. Initially, the canopy cover percentage, density, and species height were measured using systematic random sampling. To investigate the changes in soil parameters in each area, 15 soil profiles were taken from 0 to 20 cm depth by systematic random sampling method. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Also, continuous and heavy grazing during the year led to the removal of key species and changes in species composition. According to the results, continuous and heavy grazing resulted in increased soil potassium and phosphorous content. However, pH in none of the study sites was not statistically significant. Nitrogen and organic matter content did not differ significantly among the study sites. In addition, no grazing at exclosure increased the soil permeability. Although exclosure and rotation grazing at a moderate grazing intensity could desirably increase the vegetation cover, it had no significant effect on soil chemical properties. Generally, since arid regions are fragile ecosystems, the management of these areasshould include economic and biological considerations.
Sedigheh Zarekia; Ali Ashrar Jafari; Ehsan Zandi Esfahan; Leila Fallah Hosseini
Volume 20, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 88-100
Abstract
To investigate the germination of perennial herbaceous Astragalus, six species in different accessions were selected to be studied in a randomized complete block design in which three treatments including control, scarification and chilling were applied for one week with three replications. The study ...
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To investigate the germination of perennial herbaceous Astragalus, six species in different accessions were selected to be studied in a randomized complete block design in which three treatments including control, scarification and chilling were applied for one week with three replications. The study was carried out in the laboratory of Gene Bank at RIFR. Germination percentage, germination rate, plumule and radicle lengths, vigor index and ratio of radicle to plumule length were measured. All data were analyzed and the studied species showed significant differences in terms of the mentioned germination parameters except radicle length and ratio of radicle to plumule while differences among treatments were significant for all traits except radicle length. Interaction effects of species*treatment were also significant except radicle length and vigor index. Maximum and minimum values of germination traits were recorded for A. vegetus and A. lilacinus, respectively and other species were classified as average. The values of germination traits in chilling treatment were less than that in control treatment and it can be concluded that the cultivation of these species in autumn and winter may cause unsuccessful establishment. According to the results, A. vegetus was identified as a suitable species for range improvement in terms of most germination traits.
Ahmad Ahmadi; AmrAli Shahmoradi; Sedigheh Zarekia; Elahe Ahmadi; Saeedeh Nateghi
Volume 20, Issue 1 , June 2013, , Pages 172-181
Abstract
In this research, Astragalus effusus was considered for autecological study in West Azarbaijan’s catchments. This palatable range species belongs to Papilionaceae. In this study, the ecological characteristics (climatic, topographic, edaphic), distribution in the catchments, phenology, root system, ...
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In this research, Astragalus effusus was considered for autecological study in West Azarbaijan’s catchments. This palatable range species belongs to Papilionaceae. In this study, the ecological characteristics (climatic, topographic, edaphic), distribution in the catchments, phenology, root system, and preference value of Astragalus effuses were investigated. The main part of the study was conducted in study sites of Poldasht (at the elevation of 900 m asl and mean annual rainfall of 120 mm), Shahidan valley (at the elevation of 1700 m asl and mean annual rainfall of 500 mm) and Salmas (at the elevation of 2000 m asl and mean annual rainfall of 338 mm) at different time intervals. The results showed that Astragalus effusus grew in all West Azarbaijan’s catchments from an elevation of approximately 800 to 3575 meters above sea level in all geographic aspects. It grew best on medium-textured soils, from sandy loams to clay loams. Some of the main companion species of Astragalus effusus were Onobrychis cornuta, Bromus tomentellus, Achillea millefolium, and Stachys schetschegleevii. In Salmas study site, the time of initial growth, vegetative growth, flowering, seed ripening and seed dispersion of this species were late March, late April, mid May, mid June and late July, respectively. Astragalus effusus was a tap-rooted species and its roots penetrated to the depths up to 2 meters in sandy loam soils of Salmas region. The geologic studies indicated that the main habitats of the Astragalus effusus were areas with lithologic characteristics of dark gray limestone and red marly limestone with shale in the upper part. This species had no toxic substances and was proper spring forage for livestock.
Sedigheh Zarekia; Niloofar Zare; Ali Ehsani; Farhang Jafari; Hasan Yeganeh
Volume 19, Issue 4 , March 2013, , Pages 614-623
Abstract
Each of the range species has certain production in different months and years of grazing seasons. Without understanding the production characteristics of species during grazing season, planning and livestock management is not feasible. Therefore, understanding the annual and monthly production of different ...
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Each of the range species has certain production in different months and years of grazing seasons. Without understanding the production characteristics of species during grazing season, planning and livestock management is not feasible. Therefore, understanding the annual and monthly production of different rangeland types is essential for efficient and effective management of livestock grazing. Consequently, relationships between forage production and climatic variables should be studied. For this purpose, annual forage production was measured in research exclosure of Khoshkerood-Saveh during 2007-2010 by clip and weigh method. Monthly rainfall in this period was calculated using Saveh synoptic station data and then the amount of cumulative rainfall in winter and spring of each year was calculated. Afterward, the relationship between production and winter and spring rainfall as well as rainfall of different months of winter and spring was studied separately. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab software. Results showed that winter rainfall had no significant impact on the production of perennial species. However, cumulative rainfall in winter and spring showed different effects on forage production of the species. In other words, a significant relationship was observed between the production of Artemisia sieberi and Salsola laricina and rainfall while no significant relationship was recorded between the production of Stipa hohenackeriana and Poa sinaica and rainfall. Also, there was a significant relationship between cumulative rainfall in March and April and annual production of the species
Sadegheh Zarekia; Ali Ehsani; Nilufar Zare; Taghi Mirhaji
Volume 18, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 474-485
Abstract
Information on phenology of the range species is important to manage the plans of plant utilization, control of the livestock entry and exit, seed collection, and understanding of the nutritive value of plant species in different phenology stages. In this study, phenology of three important rangeland ...
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Information on phenology of the range species is important to manage the plans of plant utilization, control of the livestock entry and exit, seed collection, and understanding of the nutritive value of plant species in different phenology stages. In this study, phenology of three important rangeland species namely Astragalus chaborasicus, Poa sinaica and Stipa hohenackeriana was studied in Khoshkehrood saveh region. Vegetative and reproductive data of the mentioned species were recorded once a week for two years (2007 and 2008). Growing Degree Days (GDD) were determined using climate data (temperature and precipitation) collected from the nearest station to Saveh. The results showed that start and end of the phonological stages differed in two different years while GDD was almost same for phonological stages. In other words, phenological stages have constant temperature requirement which after obtaining the required temperature the emergence of the stages are observed and thus GDD is applied for prediction of phenological stages.
Hamed Zarif Ketabi; Amr ali Shahmoradi; Majid Dashti; Asghar Paryab; Gholam reza Hosseini-Bamrood; Sadegheh Zarekia
Volume 17, Issue 3 , October 2010, , Pages 421-430
Abstract
Melica persica is a perennial grass from Poaceae family with a partly wide adaptability which makes it an important range plant species, especially for soil conservation. It is native to Iran and mostly grows in Irano-Torani and Hirkani regions. To study autecology of Melica persica, its habitats in ...
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Melica persica is a perennial grass from Poaceae family with a partly wide adaptability which makes it an important range plant species, especially for soil conservation. It is native to Iran and mostly grows in Irano-Torani and Hirkani regions. To study autecology of Melica persica, its habitats in Khorasan region were identified and habitat characteristics including climate, topography and soil were investigated in several sites. Afterwards, regeneration, phenology, density, canopy cover, root system and chemical compositon of forage were also studied. The results indicated that distribution of M. persica was partlywidefrom north to south of khorasan region and especially in rocky foothills (altitude 900-2900 m). It was laso seen in all geographic aspects and a slope of 12-89 percent. M. persica habitats are mainly located in 3 climates of very cold semi-arid, very cold mediterranean and cold semi-arid. Mean annual temperature and precipitation of M. persica habitats differ from 5-15 degrees centigrade and 125-600 mm, respectively. This plant prefers well-drainaged soils of gravelly loam, gravelly silty loam and gravelly sandy loam texture. Optimal pH and EC are 7 to 8 and 0.5-1.5 ds/m respectively. Rocky soils and specially sheil, volcanic and lime stones are the main bed for its establishment. Vegetative growth of this plant starts from mid March and continues to mid May. Depending on altitude, heading stage starts from early May to late May. During late May to early June seeds are at milk stage and seed dissemination happens 20 days later. Results also showed that the effect of seed storage period on seed viability was non-significant. Plant natural regeneration is mainly via seed. Forage chemical composition analysis showed a protein of 21.6 and 8.1 % in vegetative and flowering stages respectively.
Ali Akbar Jamali; Parvaneh Ashouri; Sedegheh Zarekia
Volume 17, Issue 1 , September 2010, , Pages 106-114
Abstract
Flood spreading will be more important and critical if drought occurred in arid and semi arid regions. Object is determination and prioritizing of flood spreading suitable sites for qanats, wells, and springs recharging in arid regions by using spatial multi criteria methods and GIS to combat with aridity ...
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Flood spreading will be more important and critical if drought occurred in arid and semi arid regions. Object is determination and prioritizing of flood spreading suitable sites for qanats, wells, and springs recharging in arid regions by using spatial multi criteria methods and GIS to combat with aridity and drought critic. Miankouh watershed in south of Yazd with 618 Km2 was selected as study area. In this study spatial economical factors such as proximity to road, qanat, well and spring were considered. Spatial natural factors and constraints such as vegetation cover density, geomorphology, land use and slope were interposed in the tree model. In spatial multi criteria evaluation method, factors were standardized through Boolean and fuzzy logics. Factor weights determined with ranking method. In next step with tree model and visual programming layers were combined in GIS environment that its result was composite index map (CIM) with fuzzy values. As a result, suitable region for flood spreading with values near to one were consisted areas with 15.02 km2 and all three priorities 2.43% of whole area in the watershed. This district had suitable common cover with region implemented flood spreading project. So, this method is recommended for determining suitable flood spreading sites in the same watershed areas.
Mohammad Abolghasemiy; Amrali Shahmoradi; Naser Baghestani; Sadegheh Zarekia
Volume 16, Issue 2 , December 2009, , Pages 254-261
Abstract
Recognition of the autecology of plants and understanding their importance in soil protection, as well as forage production for livestock, is a proper strategy for management, conservation, and development of renewable natural resources, specially vegetation. This investigation was carried ...
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Recognition of the autecology of plants and understanding their importance in soil protection, as well as forage production for livestock, is a proper strategy for management, conservation, and development of renewable natural resources, specially vegetation. This investigation was carried out on autecology of Stipagrostis pennata in Yazd province. For this plant, ecological characteristics such as geographic distribution, climatic properties, topography, and soil were studied. Also phenology and root system of the plant were examined. For this purpose , three study sites of Mansoorieh (in Tabas area), Masjed-e-shokr (beside Yazd-Tabas high way), and Bafgh were determined. The results showed that Stipagrostis pennata is a psammophyte plant with standing stems and branches. This plant grows in low-height sand dunes and sandy hills. Elevation range for areas in which this plant grows is 700-1600 meters above sea level. Measure of soil acidity (pH) is 8.25-8.53 and electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.48 to 1.2 ds. This species starts its vegetative growth at the end of February and flowers in early May. Its seeds ripen in mid June. During summer and autumn, the plant is in dormancy stage. Due to high aerial organs, Stipagrostis pennata has a good resistance against sandy storms and winds. So it is highly recommended for mobile sand dune stabilization and control of soil erosion in desert areas. It also produces a fairly good amount of forage for livestock and wildlife.
Majid Dashti; Amrali Shahmoradi; Hamed Zarif ketabi; Asghar Paryab; GHolamreza Hosseini-Bamrood; Sadegheh Zarekia
Volume 16, Issue 3 , December 2009, , Pages 401-408
Abstract
Salsola orientalis S .G.Gmelin is a perennial plant species of chenopodiaceae family. Because of its palatability, as a range plant, and recent drought it has been overgrazed in a way that it was eliminated in some areas, or only the individual plants of this species could be found. This research was ...
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Salsola orientalis S .G.Gmelin is a perennial plant species of chenopodiaceae family. Because of its palatability, as a range plant, and recent drought it has been overgrazed in a way that it was eliminated in some areas, or only the individual plants of this species could be found. This research was conducted to map the habitats of the plant in Khorasan region and investigate on its habitat characteristics (topographic, climatic, edaphic), phenology, regeneration, root system, density, and canopy cover. Results showed that elevation range for the habitats of this plant is 500-1500 meters above sea level. It could be found on different aspects and slopes of 5-40 percent. Annual precipitation and temperature are 150-400 mm and 10-17.5 degree centigrade, respectively. In most of its habitats, in Khorasan region, this plant is accompanied with dominant species of Artemisia diffusa, Artemisia sieberi, Poa bulbosa and some other species of genus Salsola. This range plant grows on moderately deep to deep soils with sandy loam to silty loam texture, acidities of about 7.4-7.8, and EC of 0.8-7.2 ds/m. It has a tap root system. So many small branch roots are connected to the main root. The root system can infiltrate into the soil to a depth of 1.5 meters. Phenology stages for Salsola orientalis showed that vegetative growth is from early March until early June. Flowering starts in late May. Seed ripening is in late October until mid November. Seed dissemination happens in late November until early December. Plant regeneration is via seeds. At phenological stage of seed formation, chemical analysis of forge portion resulted in 13.4% protein, 18.28% ashes, 2.62% calcium, and 26.19% fiber.
Mohammad Sharifiyazdi; Amr ali Shahmoradi; Sadegheh Zarekia; Mansureh Khodashenas
Volume 15, Issue 4 , January 2009, , Pages 447-454
Abstract
Conservation and reclamation of vegetation in renewable natural resources is of high importance; and it is necessary to pay a focal attention to it. To achieve this goal, ecological characteristics of important plant species that form natural vegetation need to be detected and recognized; and then actions ...
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Conservation and reclamation of vegetation in renewable natural resources is of high importance; and it is necessary to pay a focal attention to it. To achieve this goal, ecological characteristics of important plant species that form natural vegetation need to be detected and recognized; and then actions could be taken to rehabilitate plant species habitats. For this purpose, a study on autecology of Ferula oopoda in Kerman Province was conducted. This plant species grows in wide areas of the province. In this research, phenology of the plant and its root system were studied. A map of plant growing areas was created. Characteristics of the species (Ferula oopoda) habitat including topography, climate and soil were determined; and accompanied species in the habitats were detected. The results showed that Ferula oopoda grows mostly in northern aspects of cold mountain areas of the province with elevations 2000-3100 m above sea level. Average annual precipitation and temperature are 250-400 mm and 7-11 Cº, respectively. For the plant growing areas, geological formation is often conglomerate. Soil depth is very shallow and its texture is coarse. Soil acidity (pH) is 7.3-7.8 and its electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.31-0.43 ds/m. This plant species is found in habitats with different topographic aspects and slopes. The main root of this species penetrates soil to the depth of 60-90 cm. Phenological stages of this species showed that its vegetative growth stage is from late March until Early May. Flowering stage is from Late April until late May. Seed ripening for this species is from mid June until late July. Seeds of Ferula oopoda are able to germinate several years after dissemination. Using seeds of this plant species for the purpose of reclamation and rehabilitation of deteriorated rangelands in mountainous areas, with ecological conditions similar to those of Kerman Province, is highly recommended.
Hasan Ghelichhnia; Amr ali Shah moradi; Sadegheh Zare kia
Volume 15, Issue 3 , January 2008, , Pages 348-359
Abstract
Providing information about range plant species, to be used as the main basis for managing rangelands, necessitates studying their ecological behavior and relationship with biotic and abiotic components of rangeland ecosystems. In rangeland ecology, this type of studies is considered as autecology of ...
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Providing information about range plant species, to be used as the main basis for managing rangelands, necessitates studying their ecological behavior and relationship with biotic and abiotic components of rangeland ecosystems. In rangeland ecology, this type of studies is considered as autecology of range plant species. This research was conducted to study autecology of two range plant species of Bromus tomentosus and Agropyron pectiniforme in Mazandaran Province. Site characteristics, including topography, climate, soil, and accompanied plant species were determined. For each of the two species, phenology, root system, and their way of presence in the vegetation cover of rangeland ecosystem were examined. The results showed that Agropyron pectiniforme grows in locations with an elevation range of 1200-3000 m above sea level. Soil texture of growing areas is loamy or silty-loam. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.45-0.94 ds/m, while soil pH is 7 to 7.86. Annual precipitation at its ecological habitats is 320-653 mm; and average annual temperature is 7.2-16.2 degree of centigrade. Canopy cover and frequency for this species were 7.22% and 36.6%, respectively. The root system of this range plant species is fibrous and distributes among soil particles down to the depth of 21 centimeter. Vegetative growth stage of this species starts in late March and ends in late April. Its flowering stage is from early May until early June, and seed ripening is in late June. The results of study on Bromus tomentosus showed that this plant grows in locations with an elevation range of 2300-3300 m above sea level. Soil texture of growing areas is loamy or silty-loam. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is 0.40-0.72 ds/m while soil pH is 7.21 to 7.47. Annual precipitation at its ecological habitats is 510-653 mm; and average annual temperature is 7.2 degree of centigrade. Canopy cover and frequency for this species were 16.75% and 5.73%, respectively. The root system of this species is fibrous and distributes among soil particles down to the depth of 27 centimeter. Its vegetative growth stage starts in early April and ends in early May. Flowering stage of this range plant is from mid May until mid June, and seed ripening occurs in mid July. Ecological characteristics of these two range plant species need to be considered in management programs of related rangeland ecosystems.
Ebrahim Farahani; Amrali Shahmoradi; Sadegheh Zarekia; Farhad Azhir
Volume 15, Issue 1 , January 2008, , Pages 86-94
Abstract
Studying the behavior and the way a plant species functions, and investigating on its relationship with biotic and abiotic components of its habitat is considered as autecology of that plant species. This type of studies provide valuable information which is necessary for rangeland ecosystems management. ...
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Studying the behavior and the way a plant species functions, and investigating on its relationship with biotic and abiotic components of its habitat is considered as autecology of that plant species. This type of studies provide valuable information which is necessary for rangeland ecosystems management. This research was conducted to study the autecology of Stipa barbata. In this study, some topographic, climatic, and edaphic characteristics of the rangeland ecosystem, in which the plant species grows, were determined. Names of accompanied plant species in the ecosystem were listed. Based on physiognomy, this plant is the dominant species in most of its habitats. Its canopy cover, density, and frequency are 4.5%, 32750 plant/ha, and 82.5%, respectively. Phenology, root system, and the way of presence of Stipa barbata in the ecosystem were evaluated. The results showed that the habitats of this species are located in elevation range of 890 to 3300 meters above sea level while the major habitats are include elevation range of 1100 to 2800 meters above sea level. The species grows on slopes of 0.5 to 100%. Mean annual precipitation are 221 mm and 485 mm in Eshtehard and Zidasht Taleghan, respectively. Mean annual temperature are 15.5 and 24.5 degree Centigrade in Firoozkooh and Rood Shoor, respectively. The habitats for this plant species include very shallow to deep soils. Vegetative growth starts in early March and ends in early April. Its flowering stage is from mid May to mid June. Seed ripening stage is from late June until mid July. The plant has a shallow fibrous root system.
Ghasem ali Abarsaji; Amr ali Shahmoradi; Sadegheh Zare kia
Volume 14, Issue 3 , January 2007, , Pages 421-431
Abstract
Autecology of plant species is an important portion of ecological studies in natural resources science. This study was conducted to investigate on autecology of Hedysarum kopetdaghi. This range plant species is a perennial plant from Papilionaceae family that grows mostly in range ecosystems of ...
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Autecology of plant species is an important portion of ecological studies in natural resources science. This study was conducted to investigate on autecology of Hedysarum kopetdaghi. This range plant species is a perennial plant from Papilionaceae family that grows mostly in range ecosystems of Golestan National Park. Ecological characteristics such as climate, topography, soil, phenology, regeneration, chemical compounds, and preference value of the plant were studied. Precipitation and temperature data were collected from Khan Cheshmeh Climatology Station which is located near the study area. The results showed that this species grows at scattered spots in rangeland ecosystems of the area. Based on data collected in several years, annual rainfall of the study area is 249.5 mm and means annual temperature is 11.9 degree Centigrade. Soil studies showed that Hedysarum kopetdaghi appears on soils with silt–loam texture and pH of 7.5–7.9. No sign of salinity was found in the soil. The plant has a vertical tap root system. The major root penetrates soil more than 2 meters. In its major ecosystem, canopy cover of this species is about 0.2-1/16%. The density and frequency of this species are 70-1500 plant/ha and 3-15%, respectively. Vegetative growth stage of Hedysarum kopetdaghi species usually starts in late march. Flowering is completed in late May and early June. Seed ripening occurs in late June and early July. Above ground materials of Hedysarum kopetdaghi contains 27.13% crude protein at the vegetative growth stage. Preference value of this plant is 75% for sheep and goats. Grazing the related rangeland ecosystems in inappropriate season, as well as overgrazing, are the major causes of biological degradation creating endangering conditions for this range plant. This species has a high level of resistance to grazing and relatively harsh natural conditions. This plant is a suitable range species to be used in range seeding programs for degraded ranglands of the study area or similar rangeland ecosystems.