The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Fig. 5.4.2. The successful promotion of quinoa varieties in Uzbekistan (June, 2015)

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Chapter 5.Innovative methods and technologies for amelioration of salt-affected soils and agroforestry practices in marginal landscapes 
Technology 2. The use of halophytes to increase the productivity of 
marginal lands under conditions of arid climate and shortages of 
freshwater supply for irrigation
Halophytes or salt-loving plants grow well on salt-affected soils irrigated with saline water. Such 
plants uptake salts and, consequently, prevent soil damage. There are more than 760 halophyte 
species in the flora of  Central Asia. These under-used phytoresources are little known and scarcely 
applied in agricultural systems, medicine and other industries in this country. However, some of  
halophytes represent a good source of  food for humans, while others are desirable for industrial use 
as a source of  renewable bioenergy. The use of  halophytes in the reclamation of  salt-affected lands 
around artificial lakes within the basin of  Aral Sea would contribute to the economic growth of  
surrounding regions.
Halophytes can be used in soil reclamation as desalinization agents and phytoameliorators, because 
many of  them are capable of  uptaking salts from soils and irrigation water and concentrating such 
salts in the above-ground biomass. The process of  soil desalinization usually requires a period of  
3-5 years and occasionally 6-7 years in cases of  very high salinity levels. Lands reclaimed under 
halophytes can be used for growing traditional agricultural crops.
Experimental research into the potential significance of  halophyte species as economic resources, 
i.e., food products for local people, animal fodders, biofuel and a remedy for restoration of  highly 
saline soils to a condition suitable for growing traditional agricultural crops has been conducted.
The ability of  halophytes to promote soil desalinization is due to a combination of  three factors. 
The upper one meter layer of  highly saline loamy soils in semidesert areas has a salt content of  
48 t/ ha. Halophytes with an above-ground biomass of  18-20 t/ha can uptake salts from soil at 
rates of  8-10 t/ha per year. Halophytes shade the soil surface and thus hinder evaporation and 
associated upward migration of  salts into the upper layer of  soil. This green mulch effect is equal 
to 2.5 t/ha of  salts per year. Consequently, an area planted with halophytes is characterized by salt 
removal from soil at rates of  10-12.5 tonn per year (http://www.cac-program.org/video/play/9)
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) known for its medicinal properties and nutritional value is considered 
to be a promising ameliorator for the successful reclamation of  irrigated saline soils. Liquorice 
gives yields of  6-8 t/ha in hay and 8-10 t/ha in root (valuable raw material for pharmaceutical and 
food industries) on irrigated saline soils with a shallow groundwater table in the Syr Darya Region 
and Central Kyzylkum. After liquorice plants have been uprooted (every 5 years) the irrigated soils 
can be used for less salt-tolerant crops such as sunflower, barley, triticale, etc.
A soil desalinization effect similar to that produced by liquorice was achieved by planting perennial 
Atriplex species in the Karnabchul Desert. Atriplex is known as a high-quality fodder plant that 
forms thick growth on salt-affected soils and favours the restoration of  natural vegetation cover 
and the improvement of  soil properties. Atriplex species were successfully used in the reclamation of  
gypsum-containing and alkaline soils in the south- west of  Kazakhstan. Many Atriplex species can 
also be used as a fuel by local people.
The biomass of  halophytes (Suaeda, Salicornia, Karellnia caspia, Climacoptera, Atriplex, annual Salsola 

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Soil salinity manаgement manual | Part I.Soil salinity management in the Eurasian Region 
spp., etc.) that grow on salt-affected lands unsuitable for traditional agricultural crops can be used 
in the production of  biogas. It is possible to obtain up to 300-400 m3 of  biogas from one tonne of  
the dry matter of  such plants (http://www.cac-program.org/video/play/8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwr7XxzBLjI