Comparative analysis of two soil seed banks in the northern Alborz rangelands

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

Nowadays, the use of soil seed bank for restoration of degraded lands and restoration of the flora are considered in international studies as a genetic storage. This study aimed to compare the ability of two methods for soil seed bank studies in mountainous rangelands of northern Alborz. For this purpose, soil sampling was conducted in mountain areas in early spring  of 2011. Four 70 m transects and 10 paired plots were established along each transect with 10 m intervals. In each plot, 10 soil samples were taken from two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm and then germination method and combined method were applied. Paired T test was used to compare the germination percentage and germination rate in both methods. Results showed that the seed density and germination rate of the seed bank significantly differed between germination method and combined method. A higher seed density was recorded for germination method while germination rate was higher in combined method. The highest relative density in both methods was recorded for Peganum harmala and Crepis Kotschyana with 22.4% and 13.93%, respectively.The results showed that the highest seed density was observed at a depth of 0-5 cm in both methods. According to the results, seed germination method was more reliable in showing the ability of the soil seed bank in terms of the number of germinated seeds.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 18
December 2012
Pages 137-148

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 June 2011
  • Revise Date: 17 May 2016
  • Accept Date: 31 January 2012

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