The Study on Vegetative Traits of Coniferous Species under Irrigation with Hydrophilic Polymer in Forest Park of Saveh

Abstract

In arid areas, increasing irrigation periods is necessary to providing the water needed for the development of green space and plantation. This study was conducted in forest park of Saveh based on a randomized complete block design in split-split plot arrangement with irrigation period as main plot and coniferous species of Juniperus excelsa M.B., Cupressus arizonica Green., Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco., Cupressus sempervirens Var. fastigiata., Cupressus sempervirens Var. horizontalis., Pinus eldarica Medw., Pinus brutia Ten., Pinus mugo Turra., Pinus pinea L., Taxodium distichum L. Rich., as sub plot with different origin in three blocks for 5 years. In each block from each species, 24 seedlings as a group were planted at 2.5 × 2 m. spacing that from these numbers, 12 seedlings were considered for 7 days irrigation and 12 seedlings for 14 days irrigation using of TerraCottem hydrophilic polymer. The results showed that height and collar diameter showed a significant statistical difference.in the interaction between irrigation periods and species. The main effect of irrigation period was significant on characteristics of collar diameter and vitality. P. brutia obtained the highest height (2.76 m), survival percentage (90.67 %), and vitality (90 %) and P. mugo obtained the highest collar diameter (6.42 cm), canopy cover diameter (1.27 m) and area of canopy cover (5.12 m2). Cluster analysis showed that species of P. orientalis, P. brutia and C. sempervirens Var. fastigiata with Koloudeh origin are in the most suitable conditions in terms of each of the variables studied and along with 14 days irrigation period using of TerraCottem hydrophilic polymer introduced for planting in Saveh.

Keywords

• plantation
• irrigation period
• acclimation
• vegetative traits
• seed origin