Effects of soil mulches and conditioners on seedling emergence and survival of Astragalus nigricans Barneby in an arid steppe rangeland

Author:

Rahimi Fatemeh1,Farzam Mohammad12ORCID,Dastorani Mohammad T.1,Ahmadpour Amir1,Eldridge David J.3ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Mashhad Razavi Khorasan Iran

2. School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS), Faculty of Science and Engineering Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia

3. Center for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of NSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia

Abstract

Soil mulches and conditioners have been shown to improve soil moisture conservation, infiltration, and seed germination and survival, but their interactive effects with sporadic rainfall and the existing vegetation have rarely been considered. In an experimental field study, we assessed the effects of soil additives (sawdust and hydrogel) and mulches (river sand and plant debris) on seedling emergence and survival of Astragalus nigricans Barneby, in the rangelands of Mashhad, northeast Iran. We also assessed any effects on soil moisture and temperature several days after rain in July 2017 and May 2018 and weed composition, density, and diversity. The most successful treatment was hydrogel, associated with earlier seedling emergence for A. nigricans, greater seedling survival, and biomass production. Sawdust and sand treatments were useful for root proliferation and seedling emergence in the spring of the first season, but they led to high seedling mortality under drought. Debris of Artemisia khorasanica shoots was the most efficient and consistent treatment for soil moisture conservation and temperature stability in both years, but its possible allelopathic effects led to high seedling mortality and a long delay (41 days) on seedling emergence. Plant debris also negatively affected the density, richness, and diversity of nontarget plant species. Despite differences among different rainfall events, mulch treatments have an important role in regenerating degraded rangelands.

Funder

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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