Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
This research plan was accomplished for introducing suitable plant species in semi-steppic regions of Qom province for increasing of the forage production in destroyed rangelands. The study area was in Veshnaveh with altitude of 2000 m above sea level and the annual rate of precipitation about 290 mm. The seeds of range species were cultivated in complete randomized block design. Three times of cultivation were done during 1377-80 that the first and second cultivations were unsuccessful due to insufficient quantity and distribution of precipitation. The third cultivation was done in 1379 and data recorded for 3 years. Of twelve cultivated species only four species of Festuca rubra, Festuca ovina, Elymus junceus,and Agropyron trichophorum did not germinated. 25 to 35 percent of Agropyron cristatum, Agropyron desertorum, Stipa barbata and 55 to 85 percent of Bromus tomentellus, Hordeum bulbosum, Secale montanum and Psatyrostachys fragilis were established. Psatyrostachys fragilis and Secale montanum reached to seed stage at first year and other species excluding Stipa barbata reached to flowering stage in the second year. Stipa barbata flowered in the third year. The percentage of flowering was different in all of the species. Analysis of variance of data showed survival of species had a significant difference in third year after inplanting (p=0.01).The means comparison of survival in grasses indicated that Psatyrostachys fragilis and Hordeum bulbosum had the most survival percentage so these species had the best adaptation into climatic and edaphic conditions of the area under study.
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