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FORAGE PRODUCTIVITY OF ARID TEMPERATE HARBOI RANGELAND, KALAT, PAKISTAN

FARRUKH HUSSAIN¹ AND MUFAKHIRAH JAN DURRANI²

Abstract: Harboi rangeland is an arid temperate highland range. The growing season lasts from April to October with seasonal and annual variation in rainfall and temperature. Monthly sampling over two years period was carried to determine its productivity. The total average dry biomass production was 10772.5 Kg/ha/year.  The months of July and August were the most productive months (2120.7 and 2012.7 Kg/ha, respectively). The total dry biomass, biomass contributed by grasses, herbs and shrubs generally increased from April through August and thereafter it progressively decreased till October. The grasses contributed 1269.1 Kg/ha/year, herbaceous species 743.4 Kg/ha/year and shrubs 8760.0 Kg/ha/year towards the total dry biomass production. It was observed that the range is suffering with overgrazing, over exploitation and soil erosion, which must be cared for. It is recommended that a blend of traditional and modern methods of range management with the participation of local communities be tried for its sustainable use.
 

¹Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
²Department of Botany, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan