Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Research Instructor, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Research Division, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran,
2 Assistant Professor, Rangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
3 Research Instructor, Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Research Division, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran.
Abstract
Rangeland capacity depends on forage produced in the rangeland, the permitted range of plant species, forage quality and rangeland health. Range species have a certain production in months and years. Without recognize properties production plants and the rate consumption forage rangeland cannot programming and management at during a period of grazing. This study was conducted at 2009-2013 years, and rate forage production and utilization was measured. The rate of precipitation annual at 3 years were 138, 200 and 330 millimeter respectively. The results showed that total forage production was significantly different between years (p<0.01). Forage production were 485.7, 1372 and 1844.4 Kg per hectare respectively. The amount of production in the months of growing season (March to August) were significantly different, so 94.7 of pasture growth in the first 2 months (March and April) and three fifths% by feed-in last 4 months. The annual consumption of respectively 400 and 751 and 490 kg per hectare. Although not statistically significant, But in the dry year of 2008, 83% and in the wet year of 1389, 26.6% were used of pasture production. Therefore, in drought, at the same time as the reduction in forage production, the livestock utilization rate increased by 83%, which is not proportional to the rangeland capacity. Therefore, in order to achieve sustainable production, proper management of rangeland and the use of indigenous species such as Onosma bulbotrichum, Ankyropetalum gypsophiloides, Convolvulus reticulatus and Salvia compressa are recommended.
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