|
Spatial effect of allelopathic species of Amygdalus scoparia Spach on seed bank germination characteristics in arid and semi-arid ecosystems
|
Enayatallah Yazdanpanah *   |
| Payame Noor university (PNU) & -, Department of Biology, Payame Noor university (PNU), P.O.Box 19395-4697, Tehran, Iran , E.yazdanpanah@pnu.ac.ir |
|
|
Abstract: (16 Views) |
Studying the effects of allelopathic plants on seed bank performance is the key to the success of rangeland restoration projects. The present study investigated the effect of distance gradient from the stands of Amygdalus scoparia Spach on the germination characteristics of seeds of grasses and forbs in the rangelands of Tiran in 1403. Soil samples were collected from distances of 0, 1, 2 and 3 m from the almond stands and also from a control area. After extraction and identification of seeds, germination tests were performed under greenhouse conditions and germination and seedling emergence indices were calculated. Germination indices, especially mean germination time (MGT), seedling emergence (SE) and seedling vigor (SV), were lowest in the understory and significantly improved with distance from the tree stand (p<0.01). Forbs showed greater ecological sensitivity to the distance gradient. Their MGT was reduced by almost two times compared to grasses, and their indices had a stronger correlation with some soil properties such as N, P, and EC (r≥0.4, p<0.01). In grasses only SE and SV had such a significant correlation indicates indicating more resistant to soil changes in the early stages of germination. The findings clearly show that the allelopathic almond affects the seeds by creating an environmental gradient in the soil and acts as a strong ecological filter, especially for forbs. The results indicate the need to pay attention to the effects of allelopathy in species selection and determining planting distances during the implementation of biological restoration projects of rangelands.
|
Article number: 11 |
| Keywords: Rangeland restoration, Understory, Plant life forms, Seed germination indices |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 2070 kb]
(14 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/12/21 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/09/17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
