Investigation of effect of cultivation methods on germination of Astragalus caragana F. et M. Case study in watershed research station of Zayanderood basin

Assistant Prof. of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands، Tehran، Z. Jaberolansar، Senior Expert of Esfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center، Esfahan. Asragalus caragana is a perennial forb from Papilionaceae that is found in semiarid regions of Esfahan province. In order to study the best method of cultivation in dry condition، plant seeds were gathered in watershed station of Chadegan from 1383 to 1384. The seeds were planted during autumn with randomized complete blocks design. Treatments were consisted of seed and fruit sowing within furrows and pitting at the 2. 5 to 5 cm depth. Early spring the number of germinated stands was counted in each plot. Regarding to percentage of germinated plants، The results showed significant difference between kind of seed، sowing method، interaction between seed and sowing method and interaction between seed and depth. The percentage of germination in various treatments was seed sowing 59. 5%، pitting 39%، sowing at the 2. 5 cm depth 36%، interaction between seed and pitting 75%، interaction between seed and 2. 5 cm depth 71%، interaction between pitting and 2. 5 cm depth 42%، interaction between seed، pitting and 2. 5 cm depth 82%. As conclusion، sowing seed at the 2. 5 cm depth with pitting is the best way to cultivate As. caragana.