Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Capparis spinosa is an important plant species in the rangelands ofDashte Moghan. In the current study, the ecological characteristics of the mentioned species were investigated at three representing sites. At each site, 30 plots of 10 m2 were established along transects and systematic random sampling was applied. Within the plots, density, coverage, height, length of longest stem, biomass, leaf length and width, and regeneration were measured. A number of 3-5 plants were randomly selected at each site and the root length was measured. Three soil samples were also taken from the root mass depth and a few soil physico-chemical properties were measured. The data were analyzed by ANOVA in Minitab software ver.14. Results showed significant differences among the study sites for coverage and biomass at p<0.05 and density and regeneration at p<0.01. However, no significant differences were recorded for height, length of longest stem, and leaf length and width. According to the results of PCA, soil texture, rainfall, and altitude were the most important factors affecting the density, distribution, and abundance of the species studied. Capparis spinosa L. prefers deep to semi-deep soils with an EC of 2.3 ds/m and a pH of 7.9 for growth and establishment.
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