The fodder shrub – Halothamnus subaphyllus (C.A. Mey.) Botsch.: reproductive biology and seed productivity in the culture

Abstract

Halothamnus subaphyllus (C.A. Mey.) Botsch. – is a wild shrub, a potential fodder plant for introduction to culture in arid regions of Russia. This plant is well eaten by sheep, goats, horses, and camels. In bud stage, it contains 24.7% of protein, 2.7% of fat, 36.9% of nitrogen-free extractive substances, and 18.2% of fiber. Ecologically it is a haloxerophyte. Halothamnus subaphyllus is resistant to drought and tolerant to soil salinization. In introducing a new fodder plant into the culture, it is very essential to know the possibilities of its accelerated reproduction. Thus, we studied the reproductive biology and seed productivity of this plant in arid conditions. The initial blossom of Halothamnus subaphyllus is late May-mid-June. Halothamnus subaphyllus is a self-fertile plant. In the first year of life, this plant generates an average of 15.5 g of seeds per shrub. In the second and third years, seed productivity grows and reaches an average of 236.1 g per shrub, with 1 ha of 300-350 kg of seeds. Net reproduction of Halothamnus subaphyllus is 30-35. It means that the obtained seeds can be sown on 30-35 hectares of planted acreage.