Effect of some ecological factors on distribution of chase tree (Vitex pseudo-negundo), a medicinal plant in Kohgiluyeh va Boyer Ahmad province

This research was carried out to determine the effect of some ecological factors on distribution of Vitex pseudo-negundo a medicinal plant in Kohgiluyeh va Boyer Ahmad province. Vector base topographic map of the area was obtained and entered into GIS program. Height, slope and aspect maps were generated by creating DEM image. Evaporation, temperature and precipitation maps of the area were similarly created. 5 sites selected, and then in per site, 3 quadrats with the size of two by two meters were randomly plotted. Canopy cover percentage and the plant number and height of Vitex of were estimated in each quadrat. In each quadrats, soil samples were collected to measure, soil properties including organic carbon, texture, EC, pH, N, P and K contents. Results showed that the lowest plant growth was distuributed at the altitude of 550 meter in Lishter, and the highest at 850 meter in Khan Ahmad region. The chase tree plant was distributed in precipitation range of 480 to 640 mm, and temperature range 20 to 25 Cₒ. Vitex grew in loamy - sandy soils with C= 1/41 (%), pH= 7/44, N= 0/122 (mg/kg), P= 67/25 (mg/kg) and K= 254 (mg/kg). Considering the variations in the proportion of each component, it could be concluded that silt, electrical conductivity (EC), evaporation, potassium, precipitation, height, sand, temperature, Humidity and soil phosphorus content are the most important factors in the distribution of chase tree.