Study on Phenology of three range species Aeluropus lagopoides, Desmostachya bipinnata and Halocnemum strobilaceum in Zaminsang Rangelands in Hormozgan province

To determine the phenological stages and plant height of three important range species Aeluropus lagopoides, Desmostachya bipinnata and Halocnemum strobilaceum, this investigation was carried out for four years starting in 2007 in Zaminsang Rangelands of Hormozgan province. In this study, the information about the phenology and plant height for 10 individuals of each species in 10-day intervals was measured and recorded. The results showed that phenological stages of three species were different in the study years, so that plant growth started 2-3 weeks earlier in wet years and later in dry years, while the duration of vegetative and reproductive activity of plants was different. The results showed that vegetative growth started with cooling of air and the onset of rainfall. The growth period of A. lagopoides, D. bipinnata and H. strobilaceum was 6, 6.5, and 10 months, respectively. The vegetative growth of A. lagopoides started from 22 December, whereas the vegetative growth of D. bipinnata and H. strobilaceum started from 20 February. The flowering stage started from April, June, and September, and the seeding stage from 22 April, 22 July, and 15 October, respectively. The dormancy period of plants started in 22 May, 1 September, and 22 December, respectively. Since Aeluropus lagopoides is a palatable and dominant species in the Zaminsang region, the time of arrival and departure of livestock is recommended to be late November to late May.