Journal of Rangeland

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Cultiviating and utilizing medicinal plants can enhance economical condition of range managers and affect grazing pressure in rangeland ecosystems. Ranglends consist of a major part of terresterial ecosyatems which has been degraded in some regions by environmental factors and human activities. Morphological characteristics of the two stands of Citrullus colocynthis as a valuable medical species were measured in Sisitan and Balouchestan province. Factorial experiment with completely randomized design with four replications was used to study germination success of twelve various treatments. Results indicated that morphological characteristics of the two stands were significantly different except the “weight of thousand seeds” of the species. Root depth and branch length of the species in Zabol stand was 2 meters and it indicates the soil conservative importance of the species. The seed germination and seedling growth of the two stands were improved under all treatments. Forty-eight hours’ hot water soaking treatment was identified as the best treatment for breaking seed dormancy and improving seed germination and seedling growth of Citrullus colocynthis. Implementing of this treatment was easy and it had low risk to affect seed embryo compared to other chemical treatments. Cultivating this species can improve vegetation cover and enhance range condition.
 

Keywords: Seed germination, Morphology, Citrullus colocynthis, Sistan, Balouchestan.

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