Relationship between distribution of Caper (Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew.) habitats and physico-chemical properties of soil in south of Iran (Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchistan)

Abstract

This research was carried out in Caper (Capparis deciduas (Forssk.) Edgew.) habitats in south and south-east of Iran. Fifteen habitats including Mishi, Gatan, Jask-e Kohneh, Jagin, Gabrik, Sedich, Lirdaf and Sourgalm (in east of Hormozgan Province) and Shamsabad, Bampour, Souldan, Mouman, Bahoukalat, Tis and Kouchoo (in south of Sistan and Balouchestan Province) were selected. A number of 45 plots were established. Soil properties including chemical (pH, electrical conductivity andCaCo3) and physical (sand, silt and clay content) were explored within the plots. Results indicated that the soils were alkaline in the habitats. The soil pH varied between 7.6 and 8.4. In addition, the EC ranged between 1.3 and 22.8 mmho/cm. Generally, the majority of soil types showed loam and sandy loam texture. The variation of Sand, silt and clay was between 14.7-85.7%, 3.2-59.2% and 8.5-37.0%, respectively. The Caper habitats consisted of calcareous and the lime content varying between 9.3 and 33.5%. By means of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the results illustrated that the most important ecological parameters for presence of Caper are sand, silt, clay, pH and EC, respectively.