Estimating allowable utilization level for Chrysopogon aucheri in the Jevengan region, Hormozgan province

This study was performed to determine the effect of different forage utilization intensities on Chrysopogon aucheri in a one-hectare rangeland site located at Jevengan region, 40 km away from Bandar Abbas city in Hormozgan province At the first year of study, 160 individuals from Chrysopogon aucheri were randomly selected and then three different treatments including cutting of 25, 50 and 75 % of total annual forage production and also control treatments (without cutting) were allocated applied on the selected individuals. For each individual in each cutting treatment, the dry weight of monthly harvested forage as well as the height of plant at the end of growing season was measured. Data analysis was carried out using a split plot design for four years (2006-2010) in SAS statistic software. Results showed no significant difference between the treatments in terms of annual forage production and plant. However, annual forage production and plant height varied significantly between the years of study, possibly due to inter annual changes in rainfall events. Giving that there was not significant difference between cutting treatments, results of the present study suggests that up to 75% of annual forage production can be utilized without causing any damage to growth of plant species.