Comparison the Amount of Existing Mineral Elements in Plant Aerial Parts, Litter and Soil of Three Range Species in Taleghan Region

Abstract

The aim of this research was to compare the amounts of existing mineral elements in plant aerial parts, litter and soil ofthree range species (Bromus tomentellus, Psathyrostachys fragilis, Agropyron tauri) in order to investigate the litter effectof species on soil properties of Taleghan rangeland. The measured mineral elements include carbon, nitrogen,phosphorous and potassium. After selection of the appropriate plant species and suitable sites, random- systematicsampling method was used to plant aerial part, litter and soil sampling. Soil data were taken of 0-30 cm depth and inaddition to above mineral elements, soil texture, EC, pH and lime percentage was measured in soils of the sites. The datawas analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Duncan’s test and t-test. Results of analysis of variance of differentelements showed that the amounts of nitrogen, carbon and C/N ratio of the species litter had significant differences, sothat A. tauri had the highest concentration of nitrogen and B. tomentellus had those of Carbon and C/N ratio. Results alsoindicated that there are significant difference among the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon in plant aerial partof the mentioned species (P<0.01). P. fragilis had the highest amount of nitrogen and both P. fragilis and B. tomentellushad higher amount of carbon and phosphorous than A. tauri. Soil under the species and control showed significantdifferences so that the mentioned species improve soil productivity. Totally, A. tauri had the highest litter quality anddecomposition rate.

Keywords

• plant aerial part
• litter quality
• mineral elements
• soil