Introduction of superior fodder plant population in order to rehabilitation of arid and semi-arid rangelands (Case study: Razavi Khorasan province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Rangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

2 Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Khorasan Razavi, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Khorasan Razavi, Iran.

10.29252/aridbiom.2025.22067.2024

Abstract

A significant level of rangelands in the country has been destroyed due to various factors such as excessive exploitation, climate changes and other factors, and an important part of rangeland plants has been endangered or their population has been severely reduced. In order to create stability in these types of rangelands, their modification and revival by selecting suitable species and finding the best methods of cultivation and establishment has a special priority. Therefore, according to the results of the research project carried out in the natural resources research department, including the research project of forage that can be harvested in the pastures of the country, the seeds of the most important perennial forage plants include: five species of plants A pasture and fodder including (Halothamnus subaphyllus), (Astragalus squarrosus), (trinervis Stachys), (Atriplex leucoclada) and (Eurotia ceratoides). It was selected and collected from various pastures of Razavi Khorasan province on suitable dates. In order to investigate and study some important plant traits such as: fodder yield, bush cover percentage, bush establishment percentage, strength and freshness of the bushes, an experiment with complete random block design in three replications, during five years was implemented in the farm conditions and notes were taken of the desired traits. Data analysis was done using SAS software and mean comparison was done with Duncan's test. The results showed that, among the studied populations, the (Halothamnus subophyllus) and (Atriplex leucoclada) species were superior to the other populations in terms of the establishment percentage factor. In general, among all the examined species, (Halothamnus subophyllus) species showed better adaptation in the environment. Therefore, it seems to be a suitable species for revitalizing dry areas.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Arid Biome
Volume 14, Issue 2
October 2024
Pages 135-144

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