Investigation of some habitat characteristics and forage quality of Citrullus colocynthis (case study: Sistan and Baluchestan orovience)

Many regular visits were done to investigate the phenological stages of the plant in Zabol and Saravan habitats. Plant cover of the species was investigated by plot with 4 square meter along to 4 transect with 200 meters. To investigate their physicochemical properties of soil, soil sample were taken from 0-30 cm depth under the species and area without species. Forage quality index was analyzed by 4 replication on three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and maturity stages). Results indicated that the first leaves of the species were initiated in March and August is the end of growing period. The average of canopy cover and density of Citrullus colocynthis had significant difference in the two regions (P<0.01). The rooting depth of this species was 207 and 123 centimeters in Zabol and Saravan habitats, respectively. The results showed that the electrical conductivity, carbon and organic matter under the studied species were significantly higher than the control area. The results of soil analysis under the species of two habitats also showed that sand, silt, acidity, lime and organic carbon content were significant at 5% level (p <0.05) and organic matter was significant at 1% level (p <0.01). Also, the average of sand, acidity, organic creatinine and organic matter of Zabol habitat was higher than Saravan, but the amount of silt and lime in the plant cover was higher in Saravan than that of Zabol.