Original scientific paper

Rehabilitation of degraded coastal Mediterranean rangelands using Panicum turgidum Forssk.

Selim Z. Heneidy ; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt
Marwa Waseem ; Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

Panicum turgidum Forssk. is a widely distributed species in the Egyptian desert. This species meets all criteria for a multipurpose plant and is capable of being used in the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems. The paper presents the most suitable methods for the propagation of and testing the possibility and capacity of germination and growth of different populations of Panicum turgidum. Besides investigating the socioeconomic value of this species through the documentation and survey of its traditional uses, the study illustrates
the importance of P. turgidum for the local inhabitants as a very important fodder plant, for both domestic and wild animals. The main benefit from propagating this plant is an increase in grazing potentialities and reduction of the use of artificial feed. The results of the present study shows that individuals propagated by direct seed sowing attained the highest values of growth parameters, followed by those propagated by rhizomes, then those propagated by seedlings. The most suitable method for propagating it, in this region, is by
grains and the best time is the first week of June. The results also show that the P. turgidum populations collected from the eastern desert attained the highest germination percentage andmaximum values of growth parameters upon cultivation. Thus, eastern desert populations are recommended as a good source of grains for rehabilitation programs.

Keywords

Mediterranean; desert; rehabilitation; Panicum turgidum; germination; growth; grazing

Hrčak ID:

17184

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/17184

Publication date:

20.10.2007.

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