Journal of Rangeland

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The aim of this study was to determine and compare the mineral concentration in the milk of grazing ewes in rangelands of northern and southeastern Sabalan. For this purpose, three range sites in 1800-2100, 2300-2700 and 3200-3700 meter from sea level in the rangeland of south-eastern Sabalan and 1300-1800, 1800-25800 and 2500-3200 m  elevations in northern Sabalan were selected as the study site. Soil samples were collected and plant biomass in a 1 m² were measured and grazed sheep milk grazed in these sites were collected for the measurement of mineral concentrations. The minerals concentrations of Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese and Iron in collected samples were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flame photometer. Data was analyzed in a completely randomized design using SAS9.1 software and the General Linear Model procedure was used for statistical analysis. The results showed that Ca (619.49 mg/kg), P (607.41 mg/kg), K (1399.29 mg/kg), Mg (165.01 mg/kg), Cu (1312.9 µg/kg), Zn (10920 µg/kg) and Mn (732.6 µg/kg) in grazing sheep milk in the site of 1300-1800 m of south-eastern Sabalan were significantly higher (P<0.05). Ca (937.57 mg/kg), P (320.55 mg/kg), Na (924.75 mg/kg), Mg (100.05 mg/kg), Fe (24041 µg/kg), Cu (2384.7 µg/kg) and Mn (1355.79 µg/kg) in grazing sheep milk at 2500-3200m elevation of northern Sabalan were significantly higher (P<0.05). According to the results, of most elements except calcium, copper and manganese in milk of grazed sheep in rangelands of south-eastern Sabalan were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the sheep grazed on northern slopes. . In general, the results showed that the ecological conditions such as altitude and aspect of rangelands has great influence on mineral concentration of  sheep milk in Sabalan through their  effets on the soil and plant minerals.

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There are various methods to measure forage quality but these methods require labor and are expensive and time consuming. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to predict forage quality since 1970. This method is a reliable and fast method for measuring forage quality but it requires appropriate calibration instruments with adequate samples. The aim of this study was to develop optimal NIRS calibrations for predicting forage quality of forb species. In order to predict N, CP, ADF, DMD and ME content of forb species through NIRS, a total of 641 samples from three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and seeding) were scanned by DA7200 Perten instrument. Spectral data was exported into the Unscrambler software to conduct multivariate analysis. The spectral data was smoothed and normalized by S.Golay and SNV methods respectively. Calibration models were developed through PLS1 method and then evaluated based on R², RMSECV and RPD values. According to the results, the nitrogen and CP contents of forb species can be measured more appropriately than other forage quality indicators. This study indicated that the forage quality of forbs species can be determined by NIRS method, however the accuracy values (PRD values of validation) obtained from this technique in some cases were less than the optimum thresholds.

 

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Water harvesting methods such as small arc basins have been identified as effective methods to increase forage production in rangelands. In this study, the effects of these small arc basins on forage production, soil moisture and soil texture conditions were investigated. A systematic-random sampling was used to collect data from three transects established perpendicularly to the dominant slope of the study area. Productions of range plants were measured in 40 samples (at the end of spring) and then dried in shadow and weighed. One hundred sixty samples were collected from 0-20 and 20-40 cm of soil surface at the beginning and the end of rainfall season. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model (GLM) procedure. The results indicated that the used water harvesting method resulted to a significant two times increase of plant productions in compare with the control site (p<0.01). Also the findings of this study indicated that the main interaction effect of depth, season and sampling area on soil moisture fluctuations were significant (p<0.01). The results also showed that the construction of this system had a positive effect on the texture and silt content of soil in the study area. Therefore, this method can be suggested as an appropriate method for storing rainfall and increasing forage production in rangeland ecosystems. 

 

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Various management practices have been used to enhance rangeland condition and trends. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of range reclamation plans on forage supply, range condition and trend in Khezel rangelands -Nahavand region in 2014. Forage supply, condition and trend changes of eight management units (samaneh orfi) under range management plans and four management units without such a plan were studied and compared using T-test analysis. Vegetation characteristics in each site were measured in 30 quadrates with one square meters plots along 50 meters transect parallel to the dominant slope. According to the results, all treated rangelands showed considerable positive changes in range condition but the measured characteristics in Goornasib and Sertezen sites did not differ significantly because no treatment applied. Forage supply of sites with range management plans increased significantly compared to control sites (p ˂ 0.05) except Abolfath and Faresban sites. The forage production varied considerably between the sites. The maximum and minimum productions in the sites were observed in Siah-Dare with 560 kg/ha and Dolat-Abad with 240 Kg/ha respectively. Positive trends were observed in all the treated sites. This study indicated that implementing range management plans can enhance forage production, range condition and trend therfore it can conserve rangeland sustainability in the long term.

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This study aimed to investigate effects of grazing on forage quality and quantity of Artemisia sieberi in two rangelands of Semnan province. Three sites with different grazing intensities including reference, key and critical areas were selected in each rangeland. Plant shoots were collected from 15 plant individuals and 90 plant samples were collected for chemical analysis. The results showed that heavy grazing in Goosheh had significant effects on protein, P, metabolizable energy, DMD, ADF and production of the plant species. Although moderate grazing in key areas had no significant impact on plant production per hectare and leaf to stem ratio, heavy grazing reduced the production (75%), canopy cover (72%) and leaf to stem ratio (55%). Protein content was identified as the most sensitive parameter to grazing, as it was declined 20 and 44 percent under moderate and heavy grazing, respectively. Moderate grazing had no significant effect on the measured parameters in Lookeh rangeland but the species protein content declined significantly (50%) under heavy grazing pressure. Although dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy of the species reduced 28 and 21 % respectively under heavy grazing, its ADF was increased by 21 %. Canopy cover percentage, leaf to stem ratio and A. sieberi production also were reduced by 60, 43 and 56 percent respectively under heavy grazing pressure. The results showed that although the quantity and quality of A. sieberi decreased significantly under heavy grazing, no evidence of these negative impacts were found under moderate grazing condition.

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The effects of grazing on vegetation and range conditions were investigated in Arshaq, Saiin and Sardul rangelands in Ardebil province over the past 9 years (1998 to 2006).) The vegetation composition, plant functional groups, biomass, species diversity and richness of ungrazed and grazed areas were compared. Plants canopy cover and forage production were measured using one square meter quadrats. According to the results, the average canopy cover of perennial species in the grazed and ungrazed areas were significantly different (P <0.01). Although the frequency of decreaser species such as Astragalus brachyodontus and Astragalus lilacinus were increased inside the exclosure, increaser species such as Helichrysum plicantum، Bupleurum  leucocladum, Centaurea virgate, Galium verum  and  Geum  rivula were declined in this area compared to the grazed site. Forage quality of plant species were more appropriate in the ungrazed area compared to the grazed area. Forage production has been increased from 300 to 700 kg dry matter per hectare due to protecting from livestock grazing. 

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Producing high quality forages from halophytes is a challenging issue due to high level of stresses in some environmental variables. Ochradenus ochradeni can grow in various saline-sodium and non-saline-sodium soils. Plant samples from the species were collected to determine forage quality in vegetative, flowering and seed set stages with three replications in Hossein Abad & Badaf rangelands. NIR method was used to determine forage quality in each stage. Results indicated that the average DMD, CP, ADF, NDF, TDN, DE, ME and WSC were 48.8%, 10.33%, 47.4%, 68%, 41.8%, 15.4 MJ kg ^-1 dry weight and 6.3 MJ kg ^-1 dry weight and 14.7% respectively. Effects of season and area were significant on the all of the qualitative traits except NDF, ADF, DE & TDN. The DMD, WSC and ME values of samples in seed stage were significantly higher than the other stages. The soil chemical properties had no significant impacts on the plant species quality. This study indicated that Ochradenus ochradeni has good forage quality and contains critical forage quality components; therefore it has high potential for enriching plant composition in saline ecosystems.
 

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Nutrition value of range plant species varies at different time and places. Knowledge on the variation of range plants forage quality assists range managers to adjust grazing time. This study aimed to investigate forage quality of Agropyron elongatum, Hordeum glaucum and Avena fatua at vegetative, flowering and seed setting growth stages in summer rangelands of Dargaz, northeastern Iran. Five individuals of each plant species were collected to provide a composite sample. Thirty composite samples of the species were collected in each phenological stage. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, organic matter, acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of the samples were measured using standard methods. One-way ANOVA and GLM procedure (Repeated Measures) were used to analyze the data. Forage quality of all species was affected significantly by phenological stage (P < 0.05). All three species had high and low quality in vegetative growth and seed setting stages respectively. H. glaucum had more CP (19.1%), DMD (69.30%), DE (68.82%) and ME (9.78%) compared to A. elongatum and A. fatua. Considering the quality variation of the species, the end of vegetative growth and the start of flowering stages (early May) were recognized as the best time for animal grazing in summer rangeland of Aslomeh Kalat Chenar, Dargaz City.
 

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This research aimed to evaluate the effects of cultivating time (spring and autumn) on some morphological traits of ten genotypes of 5 species of Astragalus including Astragalus brevidens, Astragalus lilacinus, Astragalus cyclophylon, Astragalus subsecondus and Astragalus vegetus in Homand Absard rangeland research station. A completely randomized design was used to cultivate the genotypes in three replications on two lines of two-meter length with a row spacing of 0.5 m for each genotype and 0.75 m for different species. Forage production, canopy cover percentage, canopy diameter and height, seed yield, and the number of flowering stems of the species were measured. Analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test were performed for mean comparisons. According to the results of the third year of cultivation, the two treatment groups (spring and autumn) showed significant differences in terms of the measured traits and genotypes. Although autumn cultivation caused an increase in forage production, canopy cover percentage, height and the number of flowering stems, their seed yield did not vary significantly. A.vegetus (Gharebagh and Kurdistan) and A.brevidens (Tandure and Torogh) genotypes had the maximum performance for all the measured traits. A.vegetus (Kurdistan) genotypes with 2740 kg/ha forage production and producing appropriate canopy cover had the best performances compared to the other species. Results showed that autumn is the best time to cultivate these herbaceous species from the Astragalus genus. The findings of this study are applicable for restoring degraded semi-arid rangelands with annual precipitating more than 300 mm.

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Abstract 
In order to properly manage rangelands, knowledge of chemical compositions of pasture plants is essential. In this research, the effect of cold treatment, 4˚C, on crude protein (CP) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) of Festuca arundinaceae and Dactylis glomerata at vegetative growth stage was investigated. Seeds of the species were cultivated in a pot. Ten replicates of each seedling’s species having 50 mm height, were transferred to the phytotron unit of the Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tarbiat Modarres for two weeks, for cold treatment. The same number of seedlings were kept in the greenhouse as the control. After two weeks, the pots returned to normal greenhouse conditions. When the species reached the optimal growth, 500 mm, seven leaf samples of two species were transferred to the laboratory to measure the CP & ADF. Lter sanples were dried. The results showed that the crude protein of the species, under the influence of cold treatment, increased but the amount of Acid Detergent Fiber was reduced.The crude protein content of Festuca arundinaceae was 35.40% and 31.71% for the cold treatment and control respectively.For crude protein content of Dactylis glomerata in the cold treatment was 29.58% and in the control treatment was 28.10%,. The amount of Acid Detergent Fiber in this species was also reduced. The results of this study could be used for a better rangeland management program in terms of cold weather condition and grazing timing.                                                                                    

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Rangelands products is multilateral. They directly provide forage, preserve water and regulate soil water absorbance. In the meantime they play major role in carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and so on. In this study, 4 ecosystem services of Zagros rangelands were studied and evaluated economically in the Mishkhas watershed of Ilam city.
Some of benefits of rangelands were directly calculated via livestock products method to calculate the rangeland production function. For estimation of other ecosystem services, including water yield, soil erosion and carbon sequestration the In-VEST model was used. For water production the EPM was the method. Total carbon sequestration also was calculated in 2018 base on the dollar rate of 42,000 rials.  The total value of each hectare of the rangelands in the region is concluded to be 12.41 million rials. The value rates per each hectare could be ranked as the water yield equal to 56.6 million rials, carbon sequestration equal to 33.4 million rials, soil protection equal to 21 million rials and production of forage as 10.4 million rials. As the results shows the highest value among other ecosystem services goes to water production, i.e. 46.6 percent. Rangeland’s soil erosion production benefit is equal to 164749 million Rials. Also the resulted showed that each hectare of the rangeland sequestrates 31.48 tons of carbon which its value  is 262191 million rials while he total annual economic value of forage products was 81978 million Rials. In general, it could be said that the rangelands of the studied area are more important in terms of regulation services such as water production and carbon sequestration than fodder production. Maintaining and enhancing non-marketable services is very important both from the human as well as the economic point of view.

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Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy is an advanced method used as a substitute to old methods of analysing forage nutritive value. The objective of this study was to folded, investigate the possibility of quick evaluation of macro elements (such as Ca, Mg, P, Na and K), and to evaluate corresponding models by using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. At the first, the minerals of 300 forb samples were measured at laboratory and then grinded plant samples were scanned by NIR set. We used the Unscrambler software to derive the regression models (Partial least squares type1) and the best calibration model were obtained according to R² and standard error of calibration. The best models were Y= 0.99X for K with R²= 0.99 and SEC= 0.004, and Y= 2.06+0.84X for Ca with R²= 0.84 and SEC= 2.22, and Y= 1.60+0.69X for Mg with R²= 0.69 and SEC= 1.6, and Y= 0.26+0.87X for P with R²= 0.87 and SEC= 0.31, and finally Y= 0.85+0.85X for Na with R²= 0.84 and SEC= 0.91. Results indicated that the models of Ca and K had a good accuracy and we can also use the P model for estimating of raw data by NIRS. It seems that the Mg and Na models doesn’t have acceptable accuracy.

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Opuntia stricta, a plant resisting drought, has edible, medicinal and forage values. Considering the importance of the species, this study examines the forage quality, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid and antioxidant properties of various organs, including pads, fruits and seeds. In order to conduct research, sampling was done randomly and with 5 replications from around the Mohammad Abad village of Groan city in 2017. After transferring the samples to the laboratory, extraction was carried out using pure methanol. Then, total phenol using Folin Sivkaltive reagent, flavonoids using colorimetric method and antioxidant properties was performed using standard DPPH radicals by a spectrophotometer. Also, nutrient quality indices (CP, DMD, ME and ADF) of different organs were measured using nutrient quality assay methods.  Data analysis was performed using one way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range tests. The results showed that the amount of phenols and flavonoids in leaf and fruit was more than seeds. Whereas antioxidant levels in seeds and fruits were higher than their amount in leaf and fruit. The amount of crude protein in the grain was more than fruit and leaves. According to the results, seeds and fruits have a greater nutrient quality (CP, DMD and ME) and antioxidant that’s why they have important pharmaceutical, nutritional, and forage use. Due to the wide ecological presence of the species, as well as its significant canopy cover, it can play an effective role in soil conservation from water and wind erosion. According to the results, seed and fruit due to their higher antioxidant properties, as well as the nutritional value (CP, DMD and ME), are more important in pharmaceutical, nutritional and fodder value than other organs. In addition, the high resistance of this species to severe environmental conditions such as drought, dehydration it could be seen in arid and semi-arid soils with shortages of food sources for livestock use where it could be used as fodder.

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The lack of forage for livestock for the most parts of Iran is quite tangible. This means high grazing presure on rangelands. In order to mitigate the overgrazing problem, the forage production should be increased and comprehensive management put in placed. In dry areas, to improve the environmental conditions, different types of mulches are used. The effect of mulch types on some morphological characteristics of forage corn was examined in the study. In addition forage production in different salinity levels of irrigation water was tracked in a factorial design based on a completely randomized block design with three replications in the research farm of Semnan University in 2018. Treatments included mulch at four levels of acrylic resin, acrylic resin containing 3% nanoclay, plastic mulch and no mulch, and four levels of irrigation water salinity including 2, 4, 7 and 10 dsm-1. The results showed that the use of mulch has affected the morphological characteristics of forage corn like plant height and number of leaves . Plastic mulch had the most positive effect on height (139.7 cm), the number of leaves (10.33) for each plant and dry matter production rate (15.8 t.ha-1), regardless of the effects of salinity. Polymer with nanoclay has increased the production rate and the acrylic resin polymer has reduced the amount of raw fiber, which indicates improved fodder quality. Increasing salinity up to 10 dsm-1 had a negative effect on growth, production and quality of forage. According to the results of this study, it seems that plastic cover can be used to reduce the water salinity and consequently to improve the growth parameters of the forage corn. It is also recommended to use acrylic resin polymer with or without nanoclay to enhance the quality of forage.

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The present study conducted to investigation the forage quality and germination status of Capparis spinosa in Niatak Hirmand rangelands. Forage quality indices were analyzed by four replications on three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and maturity stages) randomly. The experiment included 19 treatments to improve seed germination condition. Treatments included physical such as scraping the seed coat with sandpaper, chemical such as 98% sulfuric acid, potassium nitrate 0.3%, etc. and combination of physical and chemical treatments. Leaching treatment for 48 hours and potassium nitrate 0.3%, scraping combination with sandpaper and potassium nitrate, as the instances, by a completely randomized design with four replications. Results of forage quality indices showed that all forage quality indices were significantly effective at 1% level. The mean comparison of forage quality indices at increasing vegetative stages of the plant showed a significant effect on forage quality. The effect of different treatments on seed germination and early growth of seedlings was significant in all measured characteristics. Application of different treatments except sulfuric acid increased the seed germination percentage. The lowest and highest percentage and speed of germination were obtained by using sulfuric acid treatment and combined leaching plus gibberellic acid 500 ppm treatments, respectively. Results suggest that cultivation of the plant in Sistan areas is recomendable.

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The opportunistic tacktik is based on the use of annual plants to feed the livestoke. These low environmental demanding species grow abundantly due to soil seed bank richness. This research is aimed at studying the autecology and forage quality of wild safflower (Carthamus oxyacantha M.B.) as increasing plant and invasive plant at three phenological stages in Zarrindasht rangeland’s ecosystem. Soil profiles depth were different proportional to the effective depth of the roots. Then, samples were taken to the laboratory to measure physical and chemical analyses. Furthermore, the germination percentage was tested under different temperature treatment namely 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30ºC using a completely randomized design. The forage quality was focused on CP, DMD, ADF, ME, EE and Ash. Duncan test and SAS software were used or comparison of the averages and data analysis respectively. The results showed that this plant grows up on clay-loam soils, acidity of 7.9, electrical conductivity of 1.1 ds/m, 0.88% organic matter, 0.26% nitrogen. Germination treatments showed that the best performance occurs at 15 and 20ºC. The results demonstrated that as the age of the plants increases the forage quality of is reduced. It seems that if the plant harvests at the proper growth stage, it could be used in the pasture as a nutritional supplement in arid and semi-arid regions. During critical periods of forage deficiency cropping and keeping in the storage as traditional ranchers now realize and do it, could help the situation. looking at the concept of plant succession, the species might be a pioneer plant.  So once more this issue emphasizes on range management with the ecological viewpoint as science and art to balance and utilize rangeland ecosystems.
 
 

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Nowadays, mulch types are used to improve environmental conditions for plant growth in terms of irrigation water and soil quality. Production and cultivation of forage plants in arable lands, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, is very important, because it reduces grazing pressure on rangelands. In order to evaluate the effect of mulch types on some plant characteristics of forage maize at different salinity levels of irrigation water, this study was conducted in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments were consisted of four types of mulch, including acrylic resin, acrylic resin containing 3% nanoclay, plastic mulch and no mulch (control), and four salinity levels of 0.5, 2.5, 4, and 7 ds/m. The results showed that the application of mulches improved the plant characteristics of forage maize compared to the control treatment and reduced the severity of the negative effects of irrigation water salinity. The highest dry weight of shoot and total biomass were observed in acrylic resin treatment with nanoclay with salinity of 4ds/m compared to other treatments. Plastic mulch also affected the number of forage corn leaves. According to the results of the present study, it seems that these mulch types can be used to reduce the salinity effects of irrigation water on forage crop cultivation.

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Rangelands, as one of the basic sources of production, have a special place in supplying livestock feed requirements. Considering the role of nutritive value characteristics on determining grazing capacity, the aim of this study was to compare nutritive value of Stipa barbata, Stipa capensis, Eryngium billardieri, Artemisia aucheri and Zygophyllum atriplicoides in rangelands of Kaja and Chahno ,Ferdows, South Khorasan province. For this purpose, in the each plant type, 3 representative areas were selected and inside them, 10 individuals of each species were cut at the flowering stage. Then, nutrition value indices such as Crude Protein (CP), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Metabolizable Energy (ME) and Digestible Energy (DE), as well as Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Potassium (K) in aerial parts of the plant species were determined by conventional methods in the laboratory. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the studied characteristics between the plant species. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the amount of CP, Na, K, Ca and Mg in the studied plant species (p≤0.01). Average CP, ADF and ME values were higher than those of critical limits to meet animal maintenance. Artemisia aucheri has the highest amount of Ca (2.5%) and Mg (0.88%) and Zygophyllum atriplicoides has the highest CP (18.64%) and K (1.03%), so it is the highest quality plant species in the rangelands of Kaja and Chahno, Ferdows.

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The appropriate and permissible utilization of the rangeland causes stability, prevention of degradation, stability of high quality plants and improvement of its condition. Appropriate grazing intensity causes continuous and economic use in rangeland and to achieve stability and continuity of production in rangelands and determine the most appropriate level of exploitation, study the effect of different harvest intensities on forage production of three important species of Cenchrus pennisetiformis, Panicum turgidum and Sphaerocoma aucheri in Sirik region of Hormozgan province since 2006 for four years. Experimental treatments included four harvest intensities of 25, 50 and 75% and control (without harvest). In each treatment, 10 rootstocks of the species were considered as replicates, which were evaluated on each of the dependent variables. The results were analyzed in SAS software. The results showed that different harvest intensities, years and months studied and their interactions in species are very significant. Harvest intensity affected the amount of green forage and species height and all treatments were significantly different from the control. Therefore, an allowable harvest of up to 50% can be suggested for the above species.

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Forage quality is one of the most important factors that is necessary for proper nutritional management of livestock from rangelands. The most important quality factors of plants are crude protein, ADF, crude fiber, metabolic energy and digestible dry matter. The present study was conducted to evaluate the forage quality of high-yielding herbaceous species (Astragalus brevidens and Astragalus vegetus) grown in Homand Absard Research Station. The studied species are palatable species of rangelands of Khorasan, West Azarbaijan and Kurdestan provinces, which the seeds were collected and cultivated in 2010 at Homand station. In this study, sampling was performed in 2020 in three stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seeding in three replications and qualitative indices were measured. The results showed that the forage quality of these two species (four ecotypes) in the vegetative and flowering stages is higher than the seeding stage. In terms of crude protein content, digestibility and metabolic energy of all 4 ecotypes were very desirable in the vegetative and flowering stages (protein and metabolic energy above 8 and digestibility above 60%) and at the seeding stage. Also, there was no significant difference between the two species in terms of qualitative parameters. The highest amount of crude protein (16.24%) and the lowest amount of NDF (37.36%) belonged to Astragalus vegetus (Diwandare ecotype) in the vegetative stage. Due to the desirability of these two species in all stages of growth, these species can be used for livestock in spring and early summer.