Comparison on phenology of Artimisia sieberi in different steppe regions of Iran

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Research Paper 01/08/2013
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Comparison on phenology of Artimisia sieberi in different steppe regions of Iran

Ali Ehsani, Ehsan Zandi Esfahan
Int. J. Biosci.3( 8), 97-103, August 2013.
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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes of different phenological stages of Artimisia sieberi. It is a shrub species with an appropriate forage value, widely distributed in arid and semi-arid steppes and Irano-Turanian regions as a dominant species in range composition. It grows in a wide range of shallow to moderately deep loamy, sandy and loamy clay soils and tolerates harsh environmental conditions. In this research, different phenological stages of Artimisia sieberi were investigated in six sites of different steppe regions. Therefore, data of phenological stages were measured and recorded for 15-day and 7-day periods in vegetative stage and reproductive stage, respectively. Meteorological data including temperature and precipitation were recorded from the nearest synoptic station for each site. Results of comparison of different phenological stages in the study years showed that the vegetative growth of Ar.sieberi started from early March to early April, and it continued until July in the presence of moisture. Flowering stage started from early July and continued until late October. Seeding stage gradually started from early October and continued until late January. Winter dormancy started in late January and continued until early March. According to the results, this species had a long phenology which indicates its tolerance and resistance to environmental conditions. Consequently, a complete understanding on phenological stages of Ar.sieberi enables us to plan grazing management in order to determine the time of livestock entry into and exit from rangelands, optimal number of livestock for grazing and proper grazing systems.

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