The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Technology 6. Creation of cultivated sown pastures under conditions of 
limited supplementary irrigation

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Chapter 5.Innovative methods and technologies for amelioration of salt-affected soils and agroforestry practices in marginal landscapes 
Results of  experimental tests have identified the most successful halophyte species that can be grown 
on salt-affected soils and used as winter fodders for farm animals. These species include Atriplex 
nitens, Climacoptera lanata, species of  Kochia,  Salsola,  Aellenia,  Haloxylon,  Artemisia,  Ceratoides,  Suaeda, 
Glycyrrhiza, etc. The dry matter yields of  fodder crops harvested from newly created halophyte 
plantations can vary from 1.2 to 1.5 t/ ha depending on the local environmental conditions and 
plant  species  composition.  Moreover,  halophyte  pastures  can  be  used  in  different  seasons  with 
stable yields from year to year and provide a diverse diet for farm animals.
The creation of  cultivated and sown halophyte pastures under conditions of  limited supplemental 
irrigation by saline artesian water requires sufficient quantities of  high-quality viable seeds.
There is a need for further development of  appropriate technologies for domestication (cultivation) 
of  halophytes as well as other under-utilized traditional and non-traditional crop species such as 
quinoa, African millet, amaranth, soybean, etc. This would help to increase food security and 
food production. An expansion of  such technologies over Central Asia and Transcaucasia via a 
multifaceted  approach  could  demonstrate  the  benefits  of   growing  salt-resistant  plants  together 
with the promotion of  best agricultural practices on salt-affected soils among rural communities, 
farmers and politicians.
The creation of  an interactive and readily available web-site in the local language together with 
multimedia tools (CDs, apps, etc.) as well as increasing the potential of  arable and livestock farmers 
and small-holders are the priority tasks for the near future.
5.5. Agroforestry on salt-affected soils in degraded agricultural 
landscapes in Uzbekistan