Acacia nilotica and Medicago sativa, suitable plants for agro-forestry in southern coasts of Iran.
Habitats of the multipurpose tree, Acacia nilotica, were identified along the coastline of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, south of Iran. Four sites were randomly chosen and in each one, vegetation as well as climatic and soil characteristics were studied. Likewise, biometry of Acacia trees was conducted and compared in the sites. The fodder values in leaf and fruit of Acacia were determined and compared with those of in foliage of Medicago sativa being managed under an agro-forestry system. By analyzing data it was revealed that the biggest trees were found in Dashteyari region and the smallest in Bamani region (both in the Oman Sea coast). Values in most of nutritional elements were higher in foliage of Medicago than in leaf and fruit of Acacia, respectively. From this investigation it is concluded that in south of Iran where the site is favorable for Acacia plantation, cultivation of Medicago or other adaptable crops together with Acacia can be developed as agroforestry systems (such as undercropping and intercropping) if water is available.
Emtehani
Mohammad Hassan
MH
Department of Rehabilitation of Desert and Arid Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Yazd, Ira.
Tabari
Masoud
M
D000045:Acacia / Q000254:growth & development*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D016468:Forestry; D007492:Iran; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000254:growth & development*; D013045:Species Specificity