Demographic study of annual legume species populations (Fabaceae) and adaptation in low altitude grasslands

Demographic changes of annual legume species populations of genus Trifolium were studied in order to find their adaptation in low altitude grasslands of our country. Trifolium angustifolium, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium glomeratum, Trifolium resupinatum and Trifolium spumosum were seeded in monocultures in the garden of the Laboratory of Range Science. Species density and growth parameters such specific leaf area (SLA), specific leaf weight (SLW), shoot/root length ratio, total above/below plant biomass ratio and the relative leaf biomass (LWR), were measured during the growing season. The results have shown that Trifolium glomeratum, Trifolium resupinatum and Trifolium spumosum were better adapted in arid climatic conditions of low altitude zone compared to the other species.