Surveying of ecological characteristics of Astragalus podocarpus in RangeEcosystem of Ardabil province.

In order to knowing, finding and using of applicable in formation in the range management and Forage production Farms, Surveying of ecological characteristics of Astragalus brachyodontus carried out. The method of studying was as following: In The first step we used the plant coverage plan and surveying of range ecosystems to prepare the habitat of this specious. Then, in The every region, with The concerning of area and plant coverage we selected about six sites for sampling and measuring of indices. In The each of these areas, The factors related to total canopy, species frequency and amount of forage yield measured. Also some qualitative characteristics suchas root system, stem, seed quality, regeneration, preference value and chemical composition of the plants were studied. In view point of habitatat, these species distributed between 1100m to 2200m in Ardabil province, Generally, These species distributed in the hilly lands. Southern - slopes and south-eastern slopes with grade slope 5 to 30 %, optimum growth of average percipatition 250 to 520 m.m, and average temperature 15.1 to 18.4 centigrad, Generally These species there are on the soils neutral pH, in salinity and soils with mean texture sandy-lome to clay-lome. Coverage percent of these species in total plant coverage combination is 5 to 15 %. The average deep of root system vary form 30 to 80 centimeters, growing start point in April is changable, generally in 1500m above sea level The growing start point is in mid April. Completion of vegetative growth in the late of May. Full flower, ripening and seed dissemination to arrangement in the first of June, first of July and late of July. This plant produces much seedsregeneration in exclosure area is very well but in ranges with unlimited feeding regeneration is low. In view point of preference value, in the basis of feeding minutes these speacies categoried in reduced plants (class I ) in number. Considering of digestible value and raw protein amounts, The best time for harvest of this crop is &rdquoflowering stage&rdquo, The important pest of these species is a kind of small wasp from Eurytomidae family which feeds the kernels of seeds and caused hollowness in seeds.