Autecology of Salsola orientalis in Steppe Rangelands of Isfahan Province

To manage renewable natural resources is impossible, without attention to its ecological characteristic. Therefore study of rangeland species autecology is very importance. In this research, the autecology of Salsola orientalis S.G.Gamelin was studied from 1997 to 1999 in Isfahan province (Mouthe). Thus several factors as, geographical distribution, botanical characteristics, phenology, reproduction, seed rate, root system, chemical composition, nutrient value, forage production, disease, climate and its effects on this species were surveyed. This species has wide geographic distribution in the arid land of the world and appear in different vegetation types, also it is dominant in some of the sites in steppe region. This specimen has wide range of altitude from 1000 – 2000 m in Iran and 800 – 2000 m. in Esfahan province. This species is a shrub with 30 – 100 cm. high and in certain regions maybe reach to 1.5 m. Its phenological phenomens occur during long time and is different in different years. Chemical composition showed high protein (% 12), total digestible nutrient (TDN) 62%. Forage production is different according in ecological condition. Salsola orientalis was found in different soils (with different structure and texture) and geologic formation. It is resistant to pests and disease and heavy grazing. This species appears in regions up to 150 mm precipitation and with absolute maximum and minimum temperature, respectively +40 and -20 degree centigrade. For escaping from unsuitable condition it removes it's foliage and modifying growth period length and by this method resistant to aridity.