An Investigation On Ecological Characteristics Of Agropyron Cristatum In Golestan National Park
2006
Amirkhani, M. | Mesdaghi, M. | Dianati Tilaki,
In this research, the autecology of Agropyron cristatum in three ranges of elevation were investigated at Golestan National Park where has the mean annual temperature of 13°C and the mean annual rainfall of 185 mm. Phenological stages, cover, and production of this species were determined by using at least 20 plants and 10 plots of 1-m2 in each of range of elevation. Some characteristics such as height of growth, length and width of spikes, germination percentage, and weight of 100 seeds, chemical elements and pH of soil were measured. Vegetative growth of this species was started at late March to late April and heads out at late May. This species went to full flower at mid June and seeds were ripening at late June to mid August. Seeds will be disseminated at late August to mid September. It had also fall regrowth in autumn. The contributions of this species towards the total canopy cover and production of the study area were 13 and 16 percents respectively. The germination percentages of this species under 10°C, 20°C and 30°C were significant (p0.05). The maximum germination rate was 80.6% at 20°C in elevation range of 1200-1400m and the minimum germination rate was 29.6% at 10C in elevation range of 1600-1800m. The weight of 100 seeds was 0.162 gr. The chemical and physical elements of soil including N, P, K, pH, texture, and structure were not significant at different elevations (p0.05). This plant usually grows in soil having granule structure and loamy texture. The maximum root depth was about 35 cm.The identification keys of this species with closely pressed spikelets and tinged purple awns approve the name of Agropyron cristatum. This species was erroneously named Agropyron pectiniforme in Iran.
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