Study of Forage Quality and Germination of Capparis spinosa L. in range of Niatak Hirmand, Sistan

The present study conducted to investigation the forage quality and germination status of Capparis spinosa in Niatak Hirmand rangelands. Forage quality indices were analyzed by four replications on three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and maturity stages) randomly. The experiment included 19 treatments to improve seed germination condition. Treatments included physical such as scraping the seed coat with sandpaper, chemical such as 98% sulfuric acid, potassium nitrate 0.3%, etc. and combination of physical and chemical treatments. Leaching treatment for 48 hours and potassium nitrate 0.3%, scraping combination with sandpaper and potassium nitrate, as the instances, by a completely randomized design with four replications. Results of forage quality indices showed that all forage quality indices were significantly effective at 1% level. The mean comparison of forage quality indices at increasing vegetative stages of the plant showed a significant effect on forage quality. The effect of different treatments on seed germination and early growth of seedlings was significant in all measured characteristics. Application of different treatments except sulfuric acid increased the seed germination percentage. The lowest and highest percentage and speed of germination were obtained by using sulfuric acid treatment and combined leaching plus gibberellic acid 500 ppm treatments, respectively. Results suggest that cultivation of the plant in Sistan areas is recomendable.