Seedlings response of Cercis siliguastrum L., Celtis caucasica Wild., Elaegnus angustifolia L. and Amygdalus scoparia Spach to moisture storage treatments in the arid region of Semnan

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master graduated, Semnan University

2 forestry in arid regions, desert studies, semnan university

3 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands

4 Semnan University

10.22034/ijf.2023.388252.1919

Abstract

Introduction: In dry areas, the lack of rainfall, inappropriate seasonal distribution, and high evaporation and transpiration, and on the other hand, high water supply costs, cause the loss of seedlings, especially in the critical period of establishment. In the present study, the effects of different moisture storage treatments on the quantitative and qualitative growth of Cercis siliguastrum L., Celtis caucasica Wild., Elaegnus angustifolia L. and Amygdalus scoparia Spach plantations were studied in the Semnan University.
Material and Methods: This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments: i) soil texture modification, ii) use of hydrogels, iii) zeolites and iv) straw with crushed stone and v) control (natural soil of region) with five replications and totally 300 seedlings of the species. The height, collar and crown diameter, number and length of lateral branches were measured at the beginning and the end of the growth period and survival rate of all seedlings were recorded at the end of growing period.
Results: In Cercis siliguastrum, the highest growth of collar diameter, crown and length of lateral branches were measured under straw treatment.. In Amygdalus scoparia, the highest quantitative growth values were observed in straw treatment. In Elaegnus angustifolia and Celtis caucasica , different treatments had no significant effects on growth parameters. Different storage treatments had no effect of survival of investigated species. The lowest survival rate (with a range of 80-88%) was related to Amygdalus scoparia seedling and no significant difference was observed in this factor amongst other species.
Conclusion: The type and efficiency of moisture storage methods are different according to the type of species used, the straw and mulch treatment was effective in the growth of Celtis caucasica and Amygdalus scoparia seedlings. On the other hand, Celtis caucasica has the best growth in the natural soil. On the other hand, none of the investigated moisture storage treatments had any effect on the vegetative characteristics of Elaegnus angustifolia seedlings. Furthermore, the use of hydrogel and zeolite did not have a positive effect on the growth and establishment of the investigated species.

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Iranian Journal of Forest

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 September 2023

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 16 August 2023
  • Accept Date: 04 August 2023

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