Fruit trees and vegetables for arid and semi-arid areas in north-west China

Abstract

According to our survey and investigations, we have found that there are many species of fruit trees and vegetables which grow very well in the arid and semi-arid areas of north-west China. Most of them originated in China. The further development of these plants will play an important role in improving the ecological environment and the economic situation of the above regions. The main fruit trees and vegetables which are adapted to the arid and semi-arid areas of north west China are as follows: (1) Fruit tree species: Ziziphus jujuba, Z. spinosus, Diospyros kaki, Diospyros oleifera, D. lotus; Elaegnus angustifolia, Amygdalus communis, Prunus armeniaca, P. davidiana, P. persica, Pyrus ussuriensis, P. bretschneideri, Punica granatum, Crataegus pinnatifida, Pistacia vera, Malus asiatica, M. prunifolia, M. sieversii, M. pumila, Cotoneaster spp., Vitis spp., etc. Other wild species are used for rootstocks of initial genetic stocks for breeding. (2) Cucurbits and vegetables: Cucumis melo, Cucurbita moschata, Hemerocallis spp., Lilium spp., Allium spp., Capsicum annuum var. longum, etc. The present paper gives a brief introduction to their values, usages and potential usages, as well as some of the special cultivation and propagating techniques.