Effects of row spacing and utilization methods on forage yield of Atriplex canescens in the Kavir-e- Siah koh of Yazd province

Determination of row spacing and amount of harvest in Atriplex canescens are essential، for shrub cultivating in desert areas. For studying the spaces and pruning treatments، a site about 4. 5 ha was chosen and planted by the species in the Kavir-e- Siah koh of Yazd province، in 1993. A split split-plot design applied for analyzing of treatments. The row spaces (2،4 and 6 m) were main treatments while durations of pruning (annual، biennial، triennial) and heights of pruning (0، 20، 40، 60 cm) were sub-treatments. The pruning and weighing of forage in treatments initiated in fall 1995 and extended until 2003. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the cumulated forage of row spacing treatments. There were not any differences between the durations of pruning (annual، biennial، triennial) treatments،too. There were significant differences between the cumulated forages of pruning heights treatments (P<0. 05). Result of together treatments effects showed that، the most 9-year cumulated forage yield attained in 2 m row spacing، 60 cm height and annual duration treatment.