Growth and soil characteristics of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) natural stands in Urmia

In western Iran, forest stands containing multi-purpose species such as Sumac (Rhus coriaria), Barberry (Berberis sp.) and Pistachio (Pistacia sp.) in pure or mixed form mainly occur in the Northern Zone of Oak forests. The present paper aimed to study the site demands as well as the most important quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sumac in Urmia, West-Azerbaijan province. Therefore, two regional stands in Kachale and Khan Valley regions were selected. Total number of 30 circular plots, each 100m2 were established, in which attributes including collar diameter, diameter at breast height (DBH), height of main stem, crown height, mean crown diameter, the origin and vigor (health) of the trees were measured. Physicochemical properties of the soil were studied within 10 soil samples in Kachale and three samples in Khan Valley. Results indicated that collar diameter of main stem, DBH, height and mean crown diameter in Kachale were significantly higher than in Khan Valley stand. Surveying soil samples in Khan Valley and Kachale also showed that lime (51.8%) and potassium (276 p.p.m) in Khan Valley stand were significantly higher than in Kachale (1.25% and 224.5 p.p.m, respectively). Moreover, stand organic matter (1.6%) and potassium (210.75 p.p.m) under the canopy were more than in open space (%0.9 and 146.60 p.p.m respectively) across Kachale test site. This test site also revealed a significant correlation was observed between fruit weight and crown diameter.