Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to compare the amount of N, P and K in the soil under three rangeland species i.e. Agropyron tauri, Astragalus ammodendron and Bromus tomentellus and (with) the soil properties of the control area. After identifying the habitats (sites) of the mentioned species, soil sampling was done in all key areas at the end of the growing season based upon randomized systematic method. In order to study the features of the mentioned species, 10 plots (1 m2) were established along 4 transects.Soil sampling was carried out in the beginning and in the end of all transects from 0-10 and 10-40 cm soil depths. Soil sampling was also done in the control area and then N, P and K were measured. All data were analyzed and compared by T test. The results indicate that the amount of N, P and K in the first soil depth beneath Agropyron tauri is more than that in Astragalus ammodendron and Bromus tomentellus. In most cases the amount of N and K in the soil beneath (under) the species are more than that in the control area which indicates the increase of fertility in the soil beneath the species in comparison to the control area and it can be due to the litter fall or intensified biological activities of the organisms.
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