Determination of Soil Salinity in Frankenia hirsuta L. Habitat (Case Study: Saline and Alkaline Rangelands of Golestan Province)

Soil salinity is one of the important factors which can influence the growth anddistribution of plant species. Saline and alkaline rangelands of Golestan Province, Iran withlow-deep underground water level are considered as a halophyte plant species growing area.Attempts have been made to determine soil salinity and its relationship with Frankenia hirsutaL. In order to determine the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of soil, three soil samples had beentaken in the flowering stage of Frankenia hirsuta from the soil at depth of 0-30 cm in threeundergrazing, exclosure and control areas (where there was no Frankenia hirsuta). Data werecollected and analyzed for soil Electrical Conductivity (EC). Results showed that there was asignificant difference (P≤0.01) among three sampling areas (exclosure, undergrazing andcontrol). High EC values were obtained for control area. So, the presence of this species insaline and alkaline rangelands was highly affected by soil salinity. Soil salinity in the controlarea was 39% higher than undergrazing area.