Kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad) Unwanted or Wanted Plant for Forage Production in Harsh Environments

Abstract

AbstractKochia (Kochia scoparia) have recently been considered as forage and fodder crop in marginal lands. Under severe drought and salinity kochia (35 dS m-1) could produce up to 16 and 8 t DM ha-1 biomass in spring and summer cropping, respectively. Kochia produce 90 % biomass at 75 % water application in comparison to 100 % water application. Therefore, deficit irrigation is a useful management technique for Kochia even under saline conditions. Seeds of Kochia can germinate in a wide range of temperature, different levels of water potential, salinity, pH and depth of flooding and showed a high recovery from stress condition. Quick germination and growth of Kochia and its desirable drought, salinity and extreme temperature tolerance indicate that it can be considered as a valuable forage plant in case of shortage of conventional forage occurs, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Cultivation of Kochia using saline waters for rehabilitation of saline areas, that have been left barren, can be regarded as an approach in sustainable and low-input agriculture. Biomass and seeds of Kochia can help in food production for people settled in these regions and their animals. Kochia in addition to be a forage crop can also be used bioremediation, oilseed and biofuel crop.KeywordsSeed YieldGermination PercentageElectrolyte LeakageWater ApplicationDeficit IrrigationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.