Comparison on allowable use of Bromus tomentellus in semi-steppe and mountainous rangelands of Alborz and Zagros
Paper Details
Comparison on allowable use of Bromus tomentellus in semi-steppe and mountainous rangelands of Alborz and Zagros
Abstract
Current research was performed in selected sites of semi-steppe and mountainous rangelands of Alborz and Zagros. Bromus tomentellus is a key and palatable species which has a considerable portion in rangelands production. For this purpose, 40 similar species of Bromus tomentellus were selected in each site. Selected species were exposed to different harvesting intensities of 25, 50 and 75% and 0% as control group. Data were analyzed by SPSS and MSTATC, and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used for mean comparisons. According to the results a significant difference (P<0.01) was found for the production among different years of study in semi-steppe vegetative region. At some sites, further damage was observed as a response to moderate harvesting compared to heavy harvesting. In general, it can be said that rainfall and temperature are considered as the first and second limiting factors for the growth of Bromus tomentellus, respectively. Consequently, a harvesting intensity of 50% was recommended as the best allowable use of Bromus tomentellus in semi-steppe vegetative region and other similar areas. According to the results of harvesting intensities in selected sites of mountainous rangelands of Alborz and Zagros, Bromus tomentellus showed no sensitivity toward different harvesting intensities, and increased rainfall during the growing season was identified as the main factor in increasing forage production. Therefore, a harvesting intensity of 75% was recommended as the best allowable use of Bromus tomentellus for this vegetative region and other similar areas.
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