Investigation of habitat characteristics of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss.) in Fars province, Iran

Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss.), one of Iran's endemic medicinal rangeland species, is endangered to extinction due to over utilization. The purpose of this research is investigation and modelling of habitat and ecological characteristics of Persian shallot in Fars province of Iran. Sampling was conducted from aerial plant parts and soil of effective root zone (12 to 15 Cm from soil surface), 6 samples from Arsenjan site and 4 from Sepidan. The environmental information such as geographic position, habitat conditions, topographic features and accompanying plants species were deliberated. Each soil sample after air drying was passed through a 2 mm sieveand then prepared to determining soil texture, organic matter, pH, EC, gypsum, lime, N, P, K, and micro elements (Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe). The comparing of soil characteristics among 2 sites was done through independent T test and determining the most important soil properties in relation to the plant was done through PCA. The map of regions which have potential of shallot production was made through GIS software and by creating a spatial query. The results showed that this plant is growing in cold semi-arid to very humid moderate climates with average annual temperature of 9 to 17º C, average annual precipitation of 250 to 700 millimeters, altitude ranges from 2200 to 2600 meters above sea level, the geological formations includes Pabde- Gurpi, Bangestan and Quaternary and often in understory of Pistacia khinjuk, Acer monspessolanum and Pyrus syriaica woodlands. In addition, the density and frequency of Persian shallot stands is assessed sorely rare in study habitats. Generally, in case of lacking emergency planning to protecting and conserving its habitats, there is the probability of extinction in Fars province.