Comparison on allowable use of Festuca ovina in semi-steppe and mountainous rangelands of Alborz and Zagros

Current research was carried out in selected sites of semi-steppe region including Badamestan (Zanjan), Firoozkooh (Tehran), Gharebagh (West Aazarbaijane), Zaghe (Lorestan), Ghavan- ban- hersin (Kermanshah), Alamot (Qazvin), Ghorveh (Kurdistan), Ser and Til Abad (Gholestan). Festuca ovina is a key and palatable species, having a considerable portion in rangeland yield. For this purpose, 40 similar species of Festuca ovina were selected in each site. Selected species were exposed to different harvesting intensities of 25, 50 and 75 as well as 0% as control group. Data were analyzed by SPSS and MSTATC and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test were used for mean comparisons. According to the results, a higher production was recorded for the bases on which a light harvesting intensity was implemented. Significant differences were found among the studied years in terms of forage production, indicating the effects of climatic factors including precipitation and temperature. In general, rainfall and temperature were identified as the first and second limiting factors for the growth of Festuca ovina, respectively. No significant differences were recorded for 25 and 50% harvesting intensities in terms of studied traits but a harvesting intensity of 75% negatively affected Festuca ovina. Consequently, a harvesting intensity of 25-50% is recommended as the best allowable use for Festuca ovina in this vegetative region and other similar areas.