Effect of water harvesting and soil moisture storage methods on pilu (Salvadora oleoides Decne.) seedlings growth and survival in southeast Jazmurian, Sistan and Baluchestan province

Abstract

Pilu (Salvadora oleoides Decne.) is a shrub or a small tree indigenous to southeast of Iran and is known as a multipurpose species for forage production, soil protection and medicinal value, which altogether reveal its importance in forestry and reforestation projects in warm and arid areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of runoff and moisture storage methods in the soil (Bankette arches, pan (control), plastic sheets, straw in the bottom of the pit, superabsorbent polymers and canopy) on the establishment, survival and growth of the pilu species in Southeast of Jazmurian in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The factors studied in this experiment included seedlings survival, seedling height, seedling crowns, seedling collar diameter and seedling vigor, which were measured in the middle of March, 2017. The results showed that the development of plastic layer improved the survival rate and seedlings cover. Creating a shadow increases the height growth and slenderness coefficient of seedlings and decreases the diameter growth of seedlings. In general, it can be concluded that planting plastic surfaces on the surface of the pit and planting canopies on seedlings are the most suitable treatments with respect to the percentage of seedlings' survival and seedling growth characteristics. It seems that combination of these two treatments could help to improve seedling establishment across similar areas.

Keywords

• Bankette arches
• seedling height
• shadow
• slenderness coefficient
• superabsorbent