Evaluation of preferred indicators of range plant species for improvement and restoration of semi-steppe ranglands.(A case study of Ardabil- ranglands)

Preference evaluation of four species of perennial forage grasses including Alopecurus textilis L., Festuca ovina L. and F. sulcata L. and Agropyron trichophorum. In order to use for improvement and restoration of rangelands, seeds of species were collected from of Ardebil province. After seed germination test and preparing of seed bed. This eyperiment was done based on Randomized completely block design with 3 replicates in dryland conditions from 2010 -2014 in Ardabil station. After plants establishment and end of growing, crown cover Total height, seedling vigority, forage and seed production. Analysis variance of data was done using SAS software and the mean comparison with Duncan method at 5% level. The results showed that, the species in term of studied traits, had significant difference exept survival, The highest height, crown cover and forage production. Be longes to Agropyron trichophorum, The highest seedling vigority belodes to Agropyron trichophorum and Festuca sulcata finally, Therefore these con be used in improvement and developmend procces of pasture in arid and semi arid region.