Investigation of the vegetative characteristics of Astragalus fasciculifolius and their relationship with soil properties in three habitats of Fars Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Rangeland and Watershed Management Department, Faculty of Natural Resources, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.

2 Department of Nature Engineering and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Heydarieh, Iran.

10.22091/ethc.2025.12998.1061

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the vegetative characteristics of Astragalus fasciculifolius and soil properties across three habitats located in the counties of Gir and Karzin, Fars Province, Iran.
Methods: Three habitats were selected within Gir and Karzin counties. Vegetation sampling was conducted using the line intercept transect (LIT) method. Plant height was measured with a tape measure, and plant density was determined by counting the number of individuals of the species within each plot. For soil analysis, three soil profiles were excavated in each habitat. Soil samples were collected from two depths: a surface layer (0-30cm) and a subsurface layer (30-60 cm).
Results: The results revealed significant differences in both vegetative and soil properties among the three habitats. Magnesium, phosphorus and lime showed significant variations at the 1% and 5% probability levels in both soil depths. However, nitrogen showed significant differences only in the surface layer. The parameters of pH and EC in the deeper layer, as well as calcium and potassium in the surface layer, did not differ significantly among habitats.
Conclusion: Astragalus fasciculifolius was found to grows in soils with an EC of 0.4-0.8 dS/m and salinity up to 0.8. The species prefers slightly acidic soils with higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, lime, and organic matter, and tends to grow more vigorously in lighter-textured soils.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Ahmadi, A., Shahmoradi, A., Zarekia, A., Ahmadi, S., & Nateghi, A. (2013). Study of the aetiology of the rangeland species Astragalus effusus in the rangelands of West Azerbaijan Province. Iranian Rangeland and Desert Research, 20(1), 172-181. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijrdr.2013.3007 (in Persian)
Ahmadi, M., Dianatitilaki, Gh. A., & Gholami, V. (2018). Estimation of range cover canopy by combining the capabilities of an artificial neural network and GIS in Baladeh Noor rangelands. Plant Ecosystem Protection, 6(12), 153-176. http://pec.gonbad.ac.ir/article-1-309-fa.html (in Persian)
Allison, L. E., Bollen, W. B., & Moodie, C. D. (1965). Total carbon. In Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 – Chemical and Microbiological Properties (Vol. 9, pp. 1346-1366). American Society of Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.c38acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com+2Springer Link+2
Asadi, A. M., & Khoshnood Yazdi, A. (2011). Study of the ecological characteristics of the species Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. in the rangelands of Bojnourd city. Watershed Research (Research and Construction), 24(1), 11-18. (in Persian)
Aslaninejad, T., & Karimian, A. A. (2019). Study of the ecological characteristics of the medicinal plant Echinophora cinerea Boiss in the rangelands of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces [Master’s thesis, Faculty of Natural Resources & Desertification, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Yazd University]. (in Persian)
Baghestani Meybodi, N. (1996). Vegetation and soil relationships in rangelands of arid and semi-arid regions (Translation) (in Persian). Forest and Rangelands Research Institute, Publication No. 146.
Behmanesh, B., Tabasi, E., Fakhireh, A., & Khalasi Ahvazi, L. (2019). Modeling the distribution of medicinal plant species Thymus kotschyanus and Achillea millefolium using ENFA and logistic regression. Plant Ecosystem Conservation. 6(13), 91-120. http://pec.gonbad.ac.ir/article-1-395-en.html (in Persian)
Bremner, J. M., & Mulvaney, C. S. (1982). Nitrogen – total. In A. L. Page (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 – Chemical and Microbiological Properties (2nd ed., Vol. 9, pp. 595-624). American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America. SCIRP+1
Ghahraman, A. (1993). Flora of Iran (5th ed.) (in Persian). Forest and Rangeland Research Institute.
Ghanbari, M., Souri, M. K., Omidbeigi, R., & Hadavandi Mirzaei, H. (2014). Investigation of some ecological, morphological and essential oil properties of Achillea millefolium L. in the East Azerbaijan region. Iranian Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research, 30(5), 692-701. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2014.10707 (in Persian)
Karimian, A. A., & Safari, M. (2025). Investigation and comparison of vegetative characteristics of the medicinal species of Salvia hydrangea and its relationship with soil properties in three habitats of The Euclid region, Fars Province. Ethnobiology and Biodiversity Conservation, 2(2), 40-52. doi: 10.22091/ethc.2025.12191.1049 (in Persian)
Mesdaghi, M. (2007). Rangeland management in Iran (5th ed.) (in Persian). Imam Reza University Press.
Mohammadi, A., Maghsoudloo, Y., & Ariaei, P. (2015, November 10-11). Investigation of the antioxidant effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Anzorth plant. In Proceedings of the Twenty-third National Congress of Iranian Food Sciences and Industries (Quchan). https://civilica.com/doc/564252 (in Persian)
Molaei Sham Asbi, M., Ghorbani, A., Sefidi, K., Bahrami, B., & Hashemi Mojd, K. (2017). Ecological factors affecting the distribution of Artemisia aucheri Boiss. in the southeastern slope. Martej [or Marteʿ] 11(2), 139-150. (in Persian)
Mozaffarian, V. (2004). Flora of Yazd Province: Volume 1 (336 pp.) (in Persian). Yazd Publications.
Mueller-Dombois, D., & Ellenberg, H. (1974). Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. John Wiley & Sons.
Nelson, R. E. (1982). Carbonate and gypsum. In A. L. Page (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 – Chemical and Microbiological Properties. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin.
Nosrati, F., Fakheri, B., Suluqi, M., Mehdinejad, N., & Valizadeh, M. (2018). The aetiology of the medicinal species Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss. in some natural habitats of the south of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Iranian Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research, 34(4), 662-671. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2018.120924.2273 (in Persian)
Olsen, S. R., Cole, C. V., Watanabe, F. S., & Dean, L. A. (1954). Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. USDA Circular 939. U.S. Government Printing Office.
Page, A. L. (Ed.). (1982). Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties (pp. 1159-pp).
Page, A. L., Miller, R. H., & Keeney, D. R. (1992). Methods of soil analysis: Part 2 – Chemical and Mineralogical Properties (SSSA Pub., 1159 pp.). SSSA, Madison.
Saeedfar, M., Feizi, M. T., & Shahmoradi, A. (2006). Autecology of Salsola orientalis in Steppe Rangelands of Isfahan Province (case study of Mote region). Iranian Rangeland and Desert Research, 13(2), 116-126. (in Persian)
Sharifi, J., Shahmoradi, A., & Imani, A. A. (2010). Study of some ecological characteristics of the herbaceous species Astragalus brachyodontus in the rangelands of Ardabil Province. Iranian Rangeland and Desert Research, 17(2), 221-233. (in Persian)
Zarekia, S., & Omidbeigi, R. (2006). Autecology of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) in Behdasht Region of Noor. Iranian Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, 22(2), 135-139. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijmapr.2006.114987 (in Persian)
Zohary, M. (1973). Geobotanical foundations of the Middle East. G. Fischer Verlag.
 
Ethnobiology and Biodiversity Conservation
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 7
September 2025
Pages 51-61

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics