Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Investigation of Genetic Variations among Crested Wheatgrass Species Base of Agronomical Traits and Total Leaf ProteinVolume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Investigation of Genetic Variations among Crested Wheatgrass Species Base of Agronomical Traits and Total Leaf ProteinENParvinSalehi shanjaniNatural Resources Gene Bank of Iran, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran0000-0003-4537-2791AliAshraf JafariResearch Institutes of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran0000-0002-1211-3796RaziehJahanbazPayam Noor University of Tehran, Tehran,Journal Article20240130Genetic variations within the species of Agropyron desertorum and 2 varieties of A. cristatum subsp. pectinatum var. imbricatum and A. cristatum subsp. pectinatum var. pectinatum were studied using morphological traits and total protein profiles (with sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). An experiment was conducted in Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands (2012-2013) using a completely randomized block design with three replications. Means comparison of different agronomical traits among different wild populations of three taxa showed that A. desertorum had higher plant crown, plant height, panicle length, number of stems and plant dry matter weight; however, var. pectinatum had higher panicle length, grain yield and 1000-grain weight and got into the pollination and full flowering phases in a shorter period. The results of total protein profiles revealed that the genetic diversity of var. imbricatum samples was considerably higher than var. pectinatum and/or A. desertorum. Classification analysis of different populations of taxa using both markers showed that populations of var. pectinatum were closer to A. desertorum than var. imbricatum. The results demonstrated that the study of genetic diversity and the relationships among the crested wheatgrass species using agronomical traits and total protein profiles provides important information for the collection, genetic conservation and planning of future breeding programs.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Comparing Deterministic and Geostatistical Methods in Spatial Distribution Study of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Arid Rangelands (Case Study: Masileh Plain, Qom, Iran)Volume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Comparing Deterministic and Geostatistical Methods in Spatial Distribution Study of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Arid Rangelands (Case Study: Masileh Plain, Qom, Iran)ENNoredinRostamiDepartment of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam UniversityVahidHabibiWatershed Management, Islamic Azad University, Sciences & Research BranchRaedKamali MoghadamWatershed Management, Islamic Azad University, Sciences & Research BranchJournal Article20240130Accurate knowledge of spatial distribution of soil physical and chemical properties is needed for suitable management and proper use of rangelands in Masileh plain, Qom, Iran. In present study, for the spatial modeling of chemical and physical parameters such as sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), soluble potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Saturation Percentage (SP%), silt, clay and sand percent, 49 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm of soil surface in a systematic pattern with 1030 m interval and then, they were compared using deterministic methods (radial basis function, inverse distance weighting and local polynomial interpolation) and geostatistical methods (ordinary, universal and disjunctive kriging, and Cokriging). First normality of data was test using Kolmogorov-Smirnov method. Log transformation was used for non-normal data and finally, spatial structure of the data was determined. Then, cross variogram of parameters was calculated by variography analysis. Then, results were evaluated by MBE and MAE calculation for the predicted and observed data. The results demonstrated that geostatistical methods lead to notable findings rather than deterministic ones. According to the results, the best method for modeling calcium and electrical conductivity parameters was Cokriging method while the best method for saturation percent, magnesium, sodium and silt as well as clay percent parameters was disjunctive kriging. Moreover, ordinary kriging method was suitable for the zonation of potassium and sand percent.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Investigation of Stability and Relationships between Species Diversity Indices and Topographical Factors (Case Study: Ghorkhud Mountainous Rangeland, Northern Khorasan Province, Iran)Volume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Investigation of Stability and Relationships between Species Diversity Indices and Topographical Factors (Case Study: Ghorkhud Mountainous Rangeland, Northern Khorasan Province, Iran)ENNeginNodehiPhd student of Range Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Sciences, Gorgan, IranMousaAkbarlouAssociate Professor, Rangeland Management Department, Faculty of Range and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranAdelSepehryDepartment of Range Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran0000-0002-7133-1435HasanVahidNatural Resources Organization, North KhorasanJournal Article20240130One of the main objectives of ecosystem management is to preserve the species
diversity. Many researchers regard higher species diversity as the stability of ecological
systems. The aim of this study is to investigate the stability and relationships between
topographical factors with diversity indices in Ghorkhud mountainous rangeland in
northern Khorasan province, Iran. For data sampling (2012), land units were specified.
Floristic list was prepared and minimal area was determined based on the nested plot
(Braun-Blanquet method). 120 plots of 1m2 were selected and within each plot, the
presence of species and cover percent were estimated. For data analysis and means
comparison of species diversity between the study sites, One-way ANOVA and Duncan
tests were used. The species diversity was investigated using numerical indices and
stability of the habitat was determined using parametric indices. The results showed that
species diversity was decreased due to the increased altitude. Diversity indices were
increased by the increased slope percent. Also, eastern slopes had the most diversity as
compared to the other driving directions since the communities with high and low
diversities generally follow the Log-Normal and Geometric models, respectively.
According to our results, the areas with light slopes, middle altitudes and north and west
directions followed the Log Normal distribution which had the most stable levels. It was
concluded that the area with Log-Normal model represents a relatively stable communities
with medium to high species richness.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Growth Responses of Secale cereale and S. ceremont to Priming Treatments under Salinity StressVolume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Growth Responses of Secale cereale and S. ceremont to Priming Treatments under Salinity StressENGhasemAli Dianati TilakiDepartment of Range Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran0000-0002-4428-0150BehzadBehtariRangeland Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural sciences and Natural
Resources UniversityMohammadAli AlizadehResearch Institute of Forests and Rangelands, TehranJournal Article20240130Soil salinity affects a large part of the region in Iran. Salinity covers 12.5% of
total area of the country. Priming of seeds in sodium chloride and water (hydro-priming)
has been reported to be a simple technique for enhancing the seedling establishment and
germination performance in the seeds of many crops and small seeded grasses under the
stress conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the effects of halo- and
hydro-priming on Secale cereale and S. ceremont growth response under NaCl induced
salinity stress conditions. Seeds of S. cereale and S. ceremont were immersed in sterile
distilled water (hydro-priming). For the halo-priming treatments, concentrations of 125,
250 and 500 mm of sodium chloride were prepared. This experiment was carried out in
three levels (0, 100 and 200 mm) of salinity stress. The means comparison indicates that
the seedling traits of both species are significantly affected by both halopriming and
hydropriming. In both species of Secale, all the traits were decreased significantly by
increasing salt stress levels so that the most reduction of all the traits was observed at the
highest level of salinity stress concentration as compared to the control. Increasing NaCl
concentration in halopriming treatment solution significantly reduced all the traits in both
species so that the most reduction of all traits was observed at the highest level of salinity
stress concentration as compared to the control. S. cereale and S. ceremont appear to be
poor salt-tolerant. Halo-priming in the S. ceremont with the concentratios of 125 and 250
mmol for 24h at the highest level of salt stress showed the alleviation of detrimental effects
of salinity. Halo-priming somewhat in the S. ceremont was suggested in the areas with high
salinity to increase the efficiency of species.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Rangelands Goods and Services Local People Views and Priorities (Case Study: Hezarjarib Rangelands, Mazandaran Province, Iran)Volume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Rangelands Goods and Services Local People Views and Priorities (Case Study: Hezarjarib Rangelands, Mazandaran Province, Iran)ENMohammadReza ShahrakiResearcher and Range Management Expert, Golestan Province Headquarters of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, Gorgan, IranNaghmehGholami BaghiRangeland SciencesMohsenSharafatmandradDepartment of Ecological Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran0000-0003-4890-1839BaharehBehmaneshAssistant prof.,Gonbad Kavous University0000-0002-5808-4505Journal Article20240130Rangelands are the main sources of forage for livestock feeding by local
people. Beside forage production, rangeland ecosystems provide many other goods and
services such as medicinal plants, recreation, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat,
fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. Nevertheless, there are no much information about the way
that local communities think about the rangelands goods and services. Therefore, a study
was conducted to examine how local people think about rangelands goods and services and
what their priorities are. The statistical populations were farmers, pastoralists and
beekeepers of Hezarjarib, Mazandaran Province, Iran and 100 people of them were
randomly selected as a sample. First, 17 indices of rangeland importance (goods and
services) were identified through questionnaires and oral interviews. Each indicator was
questioned using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Validity was established using a panel of
experts and Cronbach's alpha was used for reliability of questionnaire. Data were analyzed
and then, interpreted using coefficients of variance. Medicinal plants, beekeeping, food
production for human and grazing lands for livestock were the first four priorities
respectively considered as the most important indices by local people. Aquaculture and
fishing and soil conservation with the highest CVs were considered as the less important
indices in local people views. The results showed that the extent of range exploitation had
significant relationships with the education of exploiters, number of livestock, income and
farmland area. It was concluded that rangelands goods and services should be defined and
evaluated based on local people views to be considered as a source of alternative income or
new enterprises for local people.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Effects of Super-Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) Plus Manure Treatments on Vegetation Cover and Soil Nutrients of Festuca ovina under Drought StressVolume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Effects of Super-Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) Plus Manure Treatments on Vegetation Cover and Soil Nutrients of Festuca ovina under Drought StressENMahshidSouriRangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, IranJavadMotamediAssociate Professor, Rangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, IranJournal Article20240130Knowledge of physiological and environmental factors is important for forage
grass production. Festuca ovina is a grass species adapted to Azerbaijan region climate,
Iran. This species is a valuable source for forage production and soil conservation.
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) are three most important plant nutrients.
The aims of present study were to investigate the effects of super absorbance polymer and
cattle manure on vegetation growth and soil NPK element of Festuca ovina under drought
stress. A split-plot design was used with drought stress as the main plot (control, -0.3 and
-0.9 Mp) and polymer +fertilizer as the sub factor (T1: control, T2: 50 g manure, T3: 5 g
polymer, T4: 5 g polymer + 50g manure, T5: 10 g polymer, and T6: 10 g polymer + 50g
manure) in five replications. N, P and K contents of soil samples were determined before
and after the experiment using Kjeldal, P-Olsen and flame photometer methods. The data
of NPK and two cuts of vegetation covers were collected and analyzed using SAS
software. The results showed that the application of polymer and manure had positive
effects on all the traits. Higher values of vegetation covers were observed in T4 and T6
treatments where both polymer and manure were applied. Higher values of NPK with the
average values of 0.69%, 21 ppm, and 395 ppm, respectively were observed in T6: (10 g
polymer + 50g manure) and the higher vegetation cover with the average values of 82%
and 46% were obtained in the first and second cuts, respectively at the same treatments.
Since there were no significant differences between T6 and T4, it was recommended to
apply 5g polymer coupled with 50g cattle manure in 4300 g of soil to improve grass
production in drought environment.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Effects of Rangeland Restoration (Contour Furrows, and Mortar Stone Dam) on Soil Fertilization (Case Study: Silvana Region, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran)Volume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Effects of Rangeland Restoration (Contour Furrows, and Mortar Stone Dam) on Soil Fertilization (Case Study: Silvana Region, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran)ENMahshidSouriRangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, IranSeyedehKhadijeh MahdaviNatural Resource Department, Islamic Azad University, Nour Branch, NourSahraTarverdizadeh SankariRangeland Management, Islamic Azad University, Nour Branch, NourJournal Article20240130The overgrazing and excessive utilization of rangelands has caused vegetation
and soil degradation in many rangelands. In the rangeland management, the soil and
vegetation elements, environmental factors and livestock should be considered as decision
making agents. Various methods are applicable for the rangeland restoration as contour
furrows and mortar stone dam. In order to evaluate the effects of restoration treatment on
soil fertility parameters, this research was carried out in Rangelands of Silvana region,
West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Soil samples were taken based on a random method using
six 100-m long transects in both treated and control sites. Soil samples were taken from the
beginning, middle and end of each transect in both 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm depths. Nitrogen
(N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) contents of soil samples were determined using
Kjeldal, P-Olsen and flame photometer method, respectively. Differences between means
of soil properties in the restoration and control treatments were compared by applying oneway
ANOVA and SNK (P<0.05) test using SPSS18 software. The results showed
significant differences between restoration and control for soil properties. N, P and K
contents in mortar stone dam treatment in both depth soils were increased as compared to
contour furrows and control. According to the results, there are significant differences
among P, N and K concentrations in both mortar stone dam and contour furrow treatments
between upper and lower soil layers. But, amount of K in the upper soil layer of contour
furrow and mortar stone dam treatments was less than lower layer. It was concluded that
the constriction of mortar stone dam in the studied area had led to positive impacts on soil
fertilization. Overall, the results show that in Silvana region, rangeland improving is
possible through applying the mechanical operation of mortar stone dam.Journal of Rangeland Science (JRS)Investigating the Effects of Number and Frequency of Incisions on Production and Survival of Astragalus keyserlingiiVolume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130Investigating the Effects of Number and Frequency of Incisions on Production and Survival of Astragalus keyserlingiiENSeyyedMorteza AbtahiResearch Division of Natural Resources, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural
Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, IsfahanKarimBagherzadehFaculty member, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO,
IsfahanEhsanZandi EsfahanRangeland Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, IranJournal Article20240130Tragacanth Gum is one of the most important medicinal and industrial products
of rangelands and is obtained from the incision of gum tragacanth-producing Astragalus
including Astragalus keyserlingii. The conservation of Astragalus species in rangelands
has a special place in terms of economic profit and soil conservation. The increase in price
of gum tragacanth in recent years and more attention of beneficiaries to the extraction of
this material from the existing Astragalus in the rangelands could cause the destruction of
Astragalus species producing gum tragacanth. This research was aimed to provide a
scientific method for the exploitation of gum tragacanth as well as the conservation this
species. The study was conducted in Tiran, Isfahan province, Iran using a split plot design
in the layout of a completely randomized blocks design with three replications. Each
replication included 30 shrubs that were exploited for the first time. Treatments included
the number of incisions and harvests. The traits were gum tragacanths production, the plant
mortality percent and canopy cover percent. According to the obtained results, the number
of harvests had a negative effect on canopy cover. This result clearly shows that this plant
is resistant against the incision since it has maximum canopy cover percent even under
three-time incision in the sixth year. The highest mortality equivalent to 53% was recorded
in six-time harvest and the highest production was obtained for six-time harvest a year with
an average value of 156.9 g per 30 shrubs, having no significant difference with the four
time one a year. Overall, two scars and four-time harvest could be recommended for the
exploitation of A. keyserlingii.
KeyJournal of Rangeland Science (JRS)SQUIRES RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR STEWARDSHIPVolume 5 (2015)Issue 3, July 201520240130SQUIRES RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR STEWARDSHIPENAliAriapourDepartment of Range Management, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Lorestan Province, Iran0000-0001-6783-0680Journal Article20240130Dr. Victor R. Squires of Adelaide, Australia received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Stewardship at the Society for Range Management’s 68th Annual Meeting held in Sacramento, California earlier this month. The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented by the Society for Range Management for outstanding achievement to members and other qualified individuals and groups working with rangelands.
Dr. Squires has had a long and productive career including principal research scientist for CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) and Dean of Roseworthy Agricultural College at the University of Adelaide. Following retirement from the University, Vic has worked as a rangeland consultant in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He has worked in over 20 countries, spending much of his time since retirement in China.
In total, Dr. Squires has published approximately 169 papers, 17 books, and 7 symposia proceedings. He was a founding member of the Australian Rangeland Society and served as President, and was Chair of the 2nd International Rangeland Congress which was held in Adelaide in 1984.
Vic Squires is an internationally recognized rangeland scientist. He has made significant contributions through research and consulting to enhance our understanding of the world’s rangelands. His work has covered many subjects and he has been continually productive for over 50 years! For his dedication to rangeland, it was with great honor that the Society for Range Management presented Dr. Victor Squires with a 2015 Outstanding Achievement Award for Stewardship.