The effect of harvest intensities on reproduction rate of Salicornia herbacea L. (Case study: Gomishan lagoon, Gorgan)

The purpose of rangeland management is to preserve, rehabilitate, develop and sustainable use of rangeland resources, so that not to damage other rangeland resources, especially water and soil. For sustainable rangeland management, calculating rangeland capacity and determining the allowable utilization of key rangeland species is necessary. In this study, the effect of different harvest intensities on the regeneration rate of Salicornia species for 3 years was investigated. Two separate series of experimental plots with dimensions of 3 by 3 m were established in a completely randomized block design. Harvest intensity as the main treatment in 5 levels (zero (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100%) were performed in each plot in 5 replications by two harvesting methods including manual cut of the plant and using mowing machine through cutting plants from a distance of 1 cm from the soil surface. For three consecutive years, production of cut plants were measured. Data were analyzed using PAST software. The results of analysis of variance showed that there was no significant difference between mean regeneration rates. Significant difference was observed between the studied years and between the two methods of manual and machine operation methods. Based on the results of comparing the means, the highest rate of species regeneration was observed for the 100% cut of the year 2020 in manual (65%) and machine (43%) methods respectively. According to the findings, the intensity of 100% harvesting of Salicornia by manual method can be applied with the least negative effects on the density of Salicornia in its natural habitats, allowing the plant to regenerate in the next year in its physiological rate.