An autecological study of Desmostachya bipinnata in Sistan plain

Accessibility to a major portion of information about vegetation cover function of ecosystem is provided by the way of autecological study of plant species. Autecological study of Desmostachya bipinnata carried out in Sistan plain. This species is a perennial plant from Poaceae. For autecological study of D. bipinnata,at first vegetation habit of this species in Sistan plain was determined. Then, ecological characteristics such as climatic and edaphic characters of habitats, root system, phenology, reproduction, preference value and chemical compounds were assessed. The results showed that this species grows intensively in north eastern parts of study area. Based on the collected data in several years, annual rainfall of the study area is 60.8 mm and mean annual temperature is 22 0C. This species appears on soil with loam and sandy loam texture, pH of 8.03 – 8.31 and salinity of 10 – 60 ds.m-1. The plant has a adventitious root system and rhizome that penetrates in the soil about 2 meters. Root has a lot of subsidiary branches in soil surface. At different habitats, canopy cover of this species was about 14 – 28 %. Vegetation growth stage of Desmostachya bipinnata usually starts in late February and flowering complete at May and seed ripening start at July. Above ground materials of Desmostachya bipinnata contains 7.56 and 6.71% crude protein in their leaf and stem, respectively. Preference value of this plant is 25% for sheep and goats. This species has a high level of resistance against grazing and relatively harsh natural conditions. With above mentioned characteristics, this plant is a suitable species to be used in management and amendment programs for Sistan plain.