• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2010

Seed germination is a biological process that is affected by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. The cardinal temperature and thermal time are required for germination. The principal objective of this study was to identify and characterize variations in the base, optimum, and maximum germination temperatures of Haloxylon aphyllum L. from two seed sources, in order to establish models for use in predicting seeding dates. Mature H. aphyllum seeds were germinated at temperatures between 5 and $35^{\circ}C$. The germination behavior of H. aphyllum seeds to different temperature regimens in light was evaluated over a temperature range of $5-35^{\circ}C$ at intervals of $5^{\circ}C$. The rate of germination increased between base and optimum thermal conditions, and decreased between optimum and maximum thermal conditions; the germination rate varied in a linear fashion at both sub-optimal and supra-optimal temperatures. The linear regression fit the range of germination rates at $5^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ to $30^{\circ}C$, and thus the base temperature, optimum temperature, and maximum temperature for the germination of H. aphyllum were measured to be $0.6^{\circ}C$, $25.69^{\circ}C$, $37.90^{\circ}C$, and $1.76^{\circ}C$, $21.56^{\circ}C$, $37.90^{\circ}C$ for Qom and the Fars dune desert respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.618-624
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• 2019

This study aimed to determine the growth and carbon storage of planted Haloxylon aphyllum in the Aralkum Desert in Kazakhstan. Six sites afforested in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2017 were selected. The root collar diameter(cm) and height(m) were measured for all H. aphyllum in 30 m×44 m plots. Biomass accumulation (g m^-2) and carbon storage(C g m^-2) were calculated using allometric equations and the carbon concentration data of Haloxylon species. The diameters varied from 2.5 cm to 4.3 cm and the height varied from 106.2 cm to 223.7 cm. The growth of H. aphyllum was not linearly related to the afforestation year or soil properties. Tree growth might have been influenced by variations in the microclimate, such as temperature, precipitation, and dust storms. The mean total biomass accumulation was 20.57g m^-2 and ranged from 2.42 g m^-2 to 64.53 g m^-2. The mean carbon storage was 9.70C g m^-2 and ranged from 1.12 C g m^-2 to 30.61 C g m^-2. These biomass and carbon storage estimates were smaller than those reported for other Central Asian deserts, but afforestation enabled the generation of vegetative cover and consequently, carbon sequestration in the manmade Aralkum Desert.