Comparison of plantation with four indigenus Acacia species and determination of least irrigation period in the first year after plantation

In order to comparison of afforestation and selection of the best Acacia species as well as determination of their irrigation period, this project has been carried out for 4 years in Sarkhoon research station on 40 km far from north of Bandar-Abbas. Acacia species are important for grazing, animal nutrition, medicinal and industrial consumption, soil conservation, ecosystem balance and supply of fuel-wood. The lay out of this experiment was a split plot designe with 6 irrigation treatments as main factor and 4 Acacia species. Irrigation treatments were as follows: A: rain-fed, B: Irrigation interval every 10 days, C: Irrigation interval every 20 days, D: Irrigation interval every 30 days, E: Irrigation interval every 40 days, F: Irrigation interval every 50 days, Different Acacia species were: Acacia nilotica, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia tortilis, Acacia oerfota. The survival of seedlings were studied at the end of every month. The canopy cover and height growth were measured at the beginning of every year. According to statistical analysis of the fourth year, there was significant differences at level of one and five percent (α=0.01, α=0.05) between different species and irrigation treatments. Therefore F (irrigation interval every fifty days) are recommended for a, b, d (Acacia nilotica, A. ehrenbergiana, A. oerfota). A. tortilis could be planted under rain-fed condition.