Sedigheh Zarekia; Ali Ashraf Jafari; Niloofar Zare
Volume 32, Issue 1 , May 2025, , Pages 35-49
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesThe degradation of rangelands in Iran, characterized by the decline of palatable species and proliferation of invasive plants, coupled with the abandonment of rainfed agricultural lands due to reduced productivity, has significantly compromised forage production for livestock. ...
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Background and ObjectivesThe degradation of rangelands in Iran, characterized by the decline of palatable species and proliferation of invasive plants, coupled with the abandonment of rainfed agricultural lands due to reduced productivity, has significantly compromised forage production for livestock. As various species of Astragalus serve as crucial forage resources, this study evaluated the efficacy of two establishment methods - direct seeding and transplanting - for five perennial Astragalus species (A. vegetus, A. brachyodontus, A. effusus, A. cyclophyllon, and A. brevidens) at the Homand Abasard research station.MethodologyThe experiment employed a completely randomized block design with three replications for both establishment methods. Direct seeding was conducted in November 2018 using a rainfed system with specific spatial arrangements (6m rows, 0.5m between populations, 0.75m between species, and 25cm plant spacing). Transplanting followed in April 2019 with identical spacing but received two supplemental irrigations for establishment. Data collection occurred in June-July 2021 (two years post-establishment), measuring forage production, canopy cover, plant height, and seed yield. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test.ResultsBoth establishment methods revealed significant interspecific differences (p<0.05) across all measured parameters. Direct seeding outperformed transplanting for all species, with A. effusus achieving superior forage yield (102 g/plant) and A. brevidens showing the highest seed production (14 g/plant) in this method. Transplanted specimens demonstrated reduced performance, with maximum forage (80 g/plant) and seed yields (11 g/plant) recorded for A. brevidens and A. effusus, respectively. Following A. brevidens, A. vegetus and A. effusus exhibited the most favorable overall performance.ConclusionDirect seeding proved more effective for Astragalus establishment under conditions of >300 mm annual rainfall with favorable distribution. However, transplanting remains viable where direct seeding is impractical due to seed shortages, poor seedbed conditions, or erratic precipitation. To ensure successful stand establishment, a two-year grazing moratorium is recommended post-planting regardless of establishment method.
Hadi Pirasteh-Anosheh; Mehdi Shiran Tafti; Farhad Dehghani; Gholamhasan Ranjbar
Volume 28, Issue 3 , October 2021, , Pages 507-519
Abstract
In current research, some soil properties and growth of camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum Medik.) were monitored in saline lands in Yazd Province during 2019-2020 and accordingly, the ability of this species was determined for growing in the saline lands. For this purpose, seven rangelands in Yazd consisted ...
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In current research, some soil properties and growth of camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum Medik.) were monitored in saline lands in Yazd Province during 2019-2020 and accordingly, the ability of this species was determined for growing in the saline lands. For this purpose, seven rangelands in Yazd consisted of Bafgh, Javadieh, Bahabad, Jolgeh, Ardakan, Aghda and Abarkooh were selected, in which Alhagi was dominant vegetation. Salinity of saturated extract (ECe) and pH of soil, salinity and pH of water, fresh and dry weight were measured by sampling and apparent soil salinity (ECa) was assessed by electromagnetic induction device (EM38). The results showed that regression coefficients (R2) of estimating soil salinity using EM38 device in different regions were accepted and varied between 0.52-0.86. Soil salinity levels varied over the surveyed lands from 2.17 g salt/kg soil in Aghda to 226.5 g salt/kg soil in Ardakan for 0-30 cm soil depth and from 0.4 g salt/kg soil in Bafgh to 118.3 g salt/kg soil in Ardakan for 30-60 cm soil depth. The maximum production of ryegrass, equal to 25 tons ha-1 of fresh weight and 7 tons ha-1 of dry weight, was observed in Bafgh with water salinity of 12 dS m-1 and soil salinity of 11 g kg-1. On average, the highest production was observed in Bafgh, Bahabad, Abarkooh, Aqda and Ardakan, respectively, which was almost consistent with changes in soil salinity and acidity. It seems that Alhagi has high tolerance to water and soil salinity, however, is sensitive to soil pH. The use of EM38 device to evaluate soil salinity in lands with camelthorn cover of Yazd province was reasonably accurate, and is recommended for monitoring soil salinity of other rangelands, but calibration in each area and for each soil depth separately is necessary.
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.
Yaghoub Iranmanesh; Hassan Jahanbazi Gujani; Hamze Ali Shirmardi; Shahbaz Shamsodini; Mohsen Habibi
Volume 27, Issue 2 , June 2020, , Pages 262-275
Abstract
The effective role of environmental resources in continuing the process of sustainable development and preservation of human life has led to economists focusing on the non-market roles of these resources. Awareness of the amount of benefits which are exited from the society by destroying environmental ...
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The effective role of environmental resources in continuing the process of sustainable development and preservation of human life has led to economists focusing on the non-market roles of these resources. Awareness of the amount of benefits which are exited from the society by destroying environmental resources motivates the protection and support of these valuable natural treasures in the society. Awareness of the benefits of environmental resources requires the valuation of these resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic functions of carbon sequestration, oxygen and forage production in Gandomanwetland with an area of 980 hectares with a sustainable management approach. For this purpose, a 200-meter transect was established in the representative areas of three plant types of Juncus inflexsus-Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus longus-Cladium mariscus, and Phragmites australis, and a total of 30 plots of one square meter were randomly placed along the transects. Then, in each plot, in addition to soil sampling, the percentage of canopy cover of all plant species, litter, rocks, and pebbles was estimated. Also, the aerial biomass of the plants was cut at a distance of one centimeter above the soil surface and then collected and dried in 50% of the plots. Plant carbon storage was measured using the electric furnace method and soil organic carbon was measured using the Walkley-Black method. The amount of oxygen production was also calculated based on the amount of plant dry matter. Based on the results of this research, the amount of carbon stored in the plant biomass and soil and the amount of oxygen production were determined separately by plant types. The results indicated that the annual average forage production was 14.8 tons per hectare. Also, the amount of carbon stock and oxygen produced in the whole Gandman wetland was equal to 8.9 and 22.4 tons per hectare per year, respectively. The carbon stored in the wetland soil was estimated at 554.7 tons per hectare. Therefore, the economic value of Gandman wetland per hectare per year for forage production, carbon sequestration, and oxygen production was 72728345, 9 9457140, and 11189600 Rials, respectively. The economic value of carbon stored in the soil of Gandman wetland was 589,424,220 Rials per hectare.
Mohammad Amin Soltanipour; Saeedeh Nateghi; Mahshid Souri; Nadia Kamali
Volume 26, Issue 4 , December 2019, , Pages 787-799
Abstract
This study was conducted to demonstrate the growth behavior of Aeluropus lagopoides, Desmostachya bipinnata, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Alhagi graecorum and Atriplex leucoclada in the Zaminsang rangelands of Hormozgan provinceduring 2007 to 2010. Determination of the production ...
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This study was conducted to demonstrate the growth behavior of Aeluropus lagopoides, Desmostachya bipinnata, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Alhagi graecorum and Atriplex leucoclada in the Zaminsang rangelands of Hormozgan provinceduring 2007 to 2010. Determination of the production and consumption were done by the individuals in medium size. In each year, five medium individual of plant were selected for all months of growing and grazing season in exclosure area for measuring the production and the same number in the grazing range considered for measuring the production residue and from difference between them, the consumption was identified. Results indicated that different years and months had significant effect on production and consumption of the study species (p<0.05). According to the obtained data from the experiment indicated that, the average production of five perennials species was 125.8 kg dry forage per hectare. The highest production rate was obtained from Halocnemum strobilaceum and Desmostachya bipinnata in amount of 52.9% and 22.9% of total forage production, respectively. The average consumption of the species was 32.4 kg dry forage per hectare. The highest consumption rate was dedicated to Halocnemum strobilaceum and Alhagi graecorum, with amount of 41.8% and 30.1% of total forage consumption, respectively. The highest production rate was obtained from 2008 with 162.7 kg dry forage per hectare which was 1.8 times higher than low-production in 2009. The highest consumption rate for all species was 35.7 kg dry forage per hectare in 2009. The highest forage production and consumption were obtained in May in all species during the years.
seyed Habibian; Hossein barani; Ahmad Abedi; Adel Sepehri
Volume 25, Issue 3 , November 2018, , Pages 475-488
Abstract
Considering the role and importance of rangelands for supplying animal feeds of the nomads, a study was conducted on the Qashqaee-Tribe (Clan Sesh-Boloki) ecosystem during 2014 and 2015 to determine the dependence of their livestock to the feeding sources including rangelands, crop residues and manual ...
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Considering the role and importance of rangelands for supplying animal feeds of the nomads, a study was conducted on the Qashqaee-Tribe (Clan Sesh-Boloki) ecosystem during 2014 and 2015 to determine the dependence of their livestock to the feeding sources including rangelands, crop residues and manual feeding separately in winter and summer seasons/rangelands, and in the wet and dry years. The method for collecting the data was the field survey based on the library review via questionnaires and interviews, respectively. Cochrane’s criterion/methodology was used to determine the sample size. The validity-reliability of the questionnaires was controlled by the conventional methods. The data were collected through filling in questionnaires and interviews with 405 samples from nomadic households. Then, using statistical software, the data were statistically analyzed. According to the results, the animal dependence of families of nomadic clans of Shesh-blouki tribe on various feeding sources (the rangeland, the crop residues, and manual feeding) in the wet and dry years showed a significant difference (P<0.01). The animal of nomadic families studied was 53.36 percent dependent on the rangelands in the wet years, and 34.8 percent in dry years; the dependence on crop residues in the summer rangeland in the wet years was 25.6 percent and in the dry years was 30.5 percent; the livestock dependence on manual feeding in the winter area in the wet years was 20.9 percent and in the dry years was 34.6 percent. Additionally, in this study, it was found that despite the severe degradation of rangelands, the percentage of livestock dependence of nomadic families to the rangelands is still significant and it seems that this issue has led nomads to continue traditional migrations.
Alireza Hedayati Firoozabadi; Seyed Abolreza Kazemeini; Hadi Pirasteh Anooshe
Volume 24, Issue 3 , October 2017, , Pages 685-698
Esmael Aliakbarzadeh; Hasan Yeganeh; Hadi Afrah
Volume 23, Issue 3 , January 2017, , Pages 567-577
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the production characteristics and the consumption rate of dominant forage species in different phenological stages. The study was conducted in Sabalan, Ardebil Province for four years. In this study, for each species, four average individuals were selected and marked ...
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the production characteristics and the consumption rate of dominant forage species in different phenological stages. The study was conducted in Sabalan, Ardebil Province for four years. In this study, for each species, four average individuals were selected and marked inside and outside the exclosure, and the production was harvested. The total forage production and consumption was calculated using the production and density data of average individuals in the exclosure. In order to assess the effects of year and months of harvesting on the production and consumption of the study species, the data were analyzed by combined analysis of variance in a completely randomized design using SAS software. Mean comparison was performed by Duncan's test at 5% level for the effects of year, species and month on forage production and consumption. According to the results, a significant difference was found among the species in terms of production and consumption in the months of growth season and grazing period, as well as the study years. The total forage production of plants was different among the study years. The highest and lowest forage production (1971.19 and 1635.35 kg/ha) were recorded for the years 2010 and 2008, respectively. In addition, the highest and the lowest forage consumption (with 86.72 and 67.71 kg/ha had) was obtained in the years 2008 and 2009, respectively. Since the interaction effect of year and month was significant for most of the species, it can be concluded that forage production and consumption are affected by the year and its prevailing conditions.
Taghi Mirhaji; Farhang Ghasriani; Farhad Azhir
Volume 23, Issue 2 , September 2016, , Pages 274-265
Abstract
This research was aimed to determine the best harvesting intensity for key and indicator species including Agropyron intermedium, Oryzopsis holciform, and Thymus fedtschenkoi in the cold semi steppe rangelands of Firoozkooh. Treatments consisted of different harvesting intensities of 25%, 50%, 75%, and ...
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This research was aimed to determine the best harvesting intensity for key and indicator species including Agropyron intermedium, Oryzopsis holciform, and Thymus fedtschenkoi in the cold semi steppe rangelands of Firoozkooh. Treatments consisted of different harvesting intensities of 25%, 50%, 75%, and control. In the first year, an area of one hectare was selected and fenced. From each of the above species, 40 average individuals were selected and each of the above treatments was applied on 10 individuals. The study individuals were distinguished by numbered signs and the harvesting was done manually by clipper. The data were analyzed in a split plot design in time and the means were compared using Duncan test. The results showed that the highest (24.59, 10.57, and 10.52 g) and the lowest (20.17, 9.91, and 5.78 g) yield were obtained at 25% and 75% harvesting intensities. According to the results of means comparison in different, the reduction of forage yield was affected by the harvesting intensity. The lowest (15.61, 8.59, 9.14 g) and highest (24.6, 10.8, 12.7 g) forage yield were recorded for the low-rain year (2008) and the wet year (2009), respectively. Therefore, a harvesting intensity of 25-50% could be recommended for the study species.
Taghi Mirhaji; Farhang Ghasryani; Farhad Azhir
Volume 22, Issue 1 , June 2015, , Pages 184-193
Abstract
This research was aimed to determine the allowable use of Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina and Stipa hohenackeriana in Firouzkooh rangeland during 2006 to 2010. Treatments included different harvesting intensities of 25%, 50%, 75% and control, performed on 40 medium-sized individuals of each species. ...
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This research was aimed to determine the allowable use of Bromus tomentellus, Festuca ovina and Stipa hohenackeriana in Firouzkooh rangeland during 2006 to 2010. Treatments included different harvesting intensities of 25%, 50%, 75% and control, performed on 40 medium-sized individuals of each species. Data were analyzed in a split plot in time design by SAS software and means were compared using Duncan. Results showed that the effects of treatment, year, and interaction effect of year*treatment were significant at 1% level of significance. In addition, the results of mean comparisons showed that the reduced forage yield was under the influence of harvesting intensities. In this regard, S.hohenackeriana and B.tomentellus were sensitive to drought while F.ovina was resistant to drought and more affected by the harvesting intensity. Our results clearly showed that a harvesting intensity of 25% and control treatment had no impact on the yield of species, leading to the reduced forage yield of the mentioned species. Therefore, an allowable use of 50% is recommended.
Mohammad ali Dorri; Gholam reza Naseri; Habib... Ali akbar zadeh
Volume 14, Issue 4 , February 2008, , Pages 455-463
Abstract
In order to investigation forage production of annual medic Cultivars, under dryland farming conditions of Gorgan, an experiment carried out in Chaleki research station in 2003-2004. The experimental design was randomized complete block with 4 replications. Cultivars were Medicago scutellata cv.Robinson ...
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In order to investigation forage production of annual medic Cultivars, under dryland farming conditions of Gorgan, an experiment carried out in Chaleki research station in 2003-2004. The experimental design was randomized complete block with 4 replications. Cultivars were Medicago scutellata cv.Robinson & sava, Medicago truncatula cv. Caliph & Mogul, M. sphaerocarpos cv. Orion sphere, Medicago polymorpha cv. Spinless, Medicago litoralis cv.Herald and an indigenous species (Medicago minima). Forage was harvested at %10 flowering and dry matter (DM) production was measured after shade drying. Results showed that, forage production of cultivars were significantly different (P<0.01) , also Interaction of cultivars and year were significantly different (P<0.05). Forage production of Medicago scutellata cv.Robinson (2006.4 kg/ha DM) was higher than other cultivars at the first year and Medicago truncatula cv. Caliph with 2230.1 kg/ha DM was produced the highest forage yield at the second year. Based on results, Mogul and Sava during two growing seasons with sustained forage production relative to experiment conditions were more adaptable than other cultivars. The mean of Crude protein amount of Caliph (37.28 gr/mˆ2) was higher than other cultivars.
Khosro Mirakhorlo; Zein ... Hosseini
Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2006, , Pages 127-138
Abstract
Estimating rangelandsۥ production is one of the range management tools. This requires detailed information about the present available forage of the rangelands. The assessment of the parameters is difficult and cost-intensive using clipping method. Therefore, new estimating methods are required. We ...
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Estimating rangelandsۥ production is one of the range management tools. This requires detailed information about the present available forage of the rangelands. The assessment of the parameters is difficult and cost-intensive using clipping method. Therefore, new estimating methods are required. We estimated available forage using remote sensing data in the production model that it extracted from ecological parameters and remote sensing data. For quantifying evaluation of vegetation cover stratified random sampling and transect sampling methods were selected. Plot size calculated from “minimal area and species curve” method. Overall, 28 transects (50m) one transect in each site that contain 280(1m2) sample plots were measured. Modeling performed using NDVI index, animal density and effective ecological factors (altitude, slope, aspect, precipitation, temperature and evaporation) on rangelandsۥ yield. After analyzing of ecological factors of Damavand region, some ineffective factors omitted. Finally three factors namely slope, precipitation and NDVI index were entered in the model for calculating the available forage in the study area. The calculated amount of average standard predict value of forage model is 38% and its standard deviation value is 97%. They show that the validation of model for predicting of forage is fairly acceptable.