Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Forage production response of Artemisia herba alba to variation in rainfall and changes in soil conditions in arid regions

Author(s):

Mansour Jahantigh ¹, Mohammad Pessarakli ^2*

Recieved Date: 2009-06-27, Accepted Date: 2009-10-08

Abstract:

For this research, four sites with different characteristics (Dasht Abkan, Artesh, Dorahi Kosheh and Scale Abad regions of the Khash city in southeastern part of Iran) were selected, and the one hectare land of the research area at each location was fenced. Twenty 1 m x 1 m plots were randomly (completely randomized design) selected at each site. One soil sample was taken from the 0-45 cm depth at each location and analyzed for pH, EC, ESP, CaCO₃, organic carbon, potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. Rainfall was collected daily and measured at each location. The parameters measured included canopy surface area, plant height, litter, stem density, bare soil area and rock cover percentage, number of dry species, annual forage products and number of the established plants. Although, Artemisia cover shows a poor range stand in this research area, it has a high value in dry regions, and it has been extensively grazed by goat and sheep in this region. It was a sever drought during the research period, and most of the rainfall occurred in 1997, a few years prior to the experimental period. The results show that parameters such as canopy surface area, plant height, number of the established plants and forage products were directly related to rainfall. However, there was an inverse relationship between litter, rock cover percentage and the number of dry species with the rainfall. The dry stem significantly increased and the established plants decreased during 1997 to 2003. The forage production significantly decreased due to the low rainfall. The recovery of the species stopped when average annual rainfall was under 40 mm during the drought period. Since soil structure influences the amount of available water and root depth, it has played a role in plants dispersion and density. The results also show that rainfall had a major role on soil organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Topography and soil texture have also had a major role on plants dispersion and density. Precipitation has significantly influenced the growth of Artemisia herba alba in the research areas. The relationships between the forage products and the rainfall for the study areas of Padgan Khash, Dasht Abkan, Dorahi Koshea, Scale Abad, follow the regression lines of y = 0.1844x, y = 0.1554x, y = 0.0277x and y = 0.0938x, respectively.

Keywords:

Artemisia herba alba, rainfall, drought, topography, planting, range, canopy, forage production, soil conditions

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2009
Volume: 7
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 717-722

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