Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran

Perennial cool-season forage and rangeland grasses for sustainable agriculture, conservation, and restoration of rangelands and soil and water resources

The total forage production of rangelands is about 7.10 mT dry matter which is enough to feed 37 million animal units for 7 months. While, more than 83 million animal units are grazing in rangelands. This means total degradation of the rangelands! Grazing more than twice the permitted capacity has continued to degrade rangelands and reduce livestock production. One of the most important consequences of rangeland degradation, besides the loss of valuable plant species, is severe soil erosion and devastating floods. The role and position of forage plants in general and grasses in particular in providing protein and dairy products, preserving soil fertility and vegetation, preventing excessive livestock pressure on rangelands, preventing soil erosion and flooding, caused they have received widespread attention worldwide. Perennial cool-season grasses are a good option for restoring vegetation and preserving water and soil resources. Perennial cool-season grasses have a relatively good tolerance to drought and cold and are capable of producing high quality forage for a variety of livestock in harsh environmental conditions. Bedsides forage production, forage grasses are also cultivated for various agricultural purposes and landscaping and for soil conservation. These plants are perennial and deep-rooted, able to persist and survive in poor soils and marginal lands and can contribute to the better penetration of water into the soil.